Holding tank vents through stanchion?

[Jim]

My holding tank is building up pressure during use and I figured it wasn't venting properly. I found that the venting hose seemed to clogged with no ventelation...I followed it and it is attached to the bottom of a stanchion in a spot behind the head medicine cabinet that I can't get to without removing the medicine cabinet. BUT, I'm looking at the stanchion above decks and there is no sign of a vent hole!? The holes the lifelines go through are sealed with tubes. Any ideas? Could the base be clogged? Should I drill a hole in the stanchion?

 

[Bruce Harkness]

Careful

A friend of mine blew up his holding tank because the vent was plugged. Not a pretty site. The tank is vented through the stanchion, can't remember which one. Mud Daubers were the culprit, they just packed his with mud. As part of the fix he put bug screen over the vent hole.

 

[Ron Betso]

Holding tank vent

No need to drill a hole the vent hole is located at the base of the stanchion. Try a wire hanger to clear it or change the hose.

 

[Scott Narum]

I have the same problem

I've been having the same problem, and I couldn't believe it either when I found the vent routed to a stanchion. Thanks for the information; I will investigate the source of the problem. My symptom is that the head bubbles nasty gas when flushed.

 

[Richard Gresham]

Don't remove the cabinet

Don't remove the cabinet, look closer, there's a wood cover that can be removed inside of the cabinet. After you get off you should be able to get at the hose clamp and then clean out the stantion with a piece of wire. Check the vent line and make sure its not collapsed.

 

[Jim]

Where's the vent hole?

Can anyone tell me where that vent hole is so I can clean it? I didn't see it this weekend. Now that I know holding tanks can blow up I'm more anxious than ever to fix this...eeeek!

 

[roger]

The hole is located at the...

bottom of the second or third ( you already know by looking what one the vent hose goes to) stanchion back on the port side. bottom inboard about a 1/4 or 3/8 inch hole.

 

[John Mavrovich]

Flush It Through

After cleaning the stanchion hole, disconnect the vent hose from the tank and flush it with a water hose. Have someone on deck to observe the free flow of water. This will clear any remaining debris. BTW, your fresh water tanks are similarly vented on the starboard side. Check them also.