Over the weekend the hose clogged from the head to the holding tank. I opened things up and found a 100% blockage. The blockage appears to be a rock like substance. I've seen this stuff before in the holding tank as well as in other (head) hoses. The section of hose from the holding tank to the head is about 15 feet. Is there anything that I can use to dissolve this stuff? Or am I going to have to replace the hose?
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YES there is
But I can't remember the name of the product. It is something like Imtek, but that's not it. You mix it into hot water and pump it through your lines for about a half hour and it disolves the rock like substance. Cruise ships use it to clear their lines. We used a rotor router hooked up to a drill to clean our line. If I find the web site for the product, I will post it.
But I can't remember the name of the product. It is something like Imtek, but that's not it. You mix it into hot water and pump it through your lines for about a half hour and it disolves the rock like substance. Cruise ships use it to clear their lines. We used a rotor router hooked up to a drill to clean our line. If I find the web site for the product, I will post it.
Muriatic acid works
A 12% solution in water. You can get it at any hardware store. Be very careful handling it...read and FOLLOW all directions. That "rocklike substance" is a buildup of sea water calcium carbonates--or, if you flush with fresh water, hard water minerals. You can prevent it from building up in the future by flushing a cupful of undiluted white vinegar through the hoses once a week or any time the boat will sit. In fact, white vinegar will also dissolve the buildup...but will take quite a few applications to dissolve enough of it to completely clog a 1.5" hose...muriatic acid is faster. Or, you could do what a lot of liveaboards on very tight budgets do: remove the hose and bang it on the dock to knock all the minerals out, then put it back. Seems to me, though, that if you're gonna do that, you might as well put NEW hose back. I'd be cautious about using something used by cruise ships...the systems on 'em are the same as hotels and other commercial buildings...they don't include hoses. What's safe to use on land may not be safe to use in sanitation hoses.
A 12% solution in water. You can get it at any hardware store. Be very careful handling it...read and FOLLOW all directions. That "rocklike substance" is a buildup of sea water calcium carbonates--or, if you flush with fresh water, hard water minerals. You can prevent it from building up in the future by flushing a cupful of undiluted white vinegar through the hoses once a week or any time the boat will sit. In fact, white vinegar will also dissolve the buildup...but will take quite a few applications to dissolve enough of it to completely clog a 1.5" hose...muriatic acid is faster. Or, you could do what a lot of liveaboards on very tight budgets do: remove the hose and bang it on the dock to knock all the minerals out, then put it back. Seems to me, though, that if you're gonna do that, you might as well put NEW hose back. I'd be cautious about using something used by cruise ships...the systems on 'em are the same as hotels and other commercial buildings...they don't include hoses. What's safe to use on land may not be safe to use in sanitation hoses.
Hydrochloric acid
Thanks for your reply Peggy, I've read up on Muriatic acid and see that it is basically Hydrochloric acid. In your experience with Muriatic acid, do you know if the 12% solution will have any negative effects on any of the following; Thru hull fittings Toilet gaskets Holding tank chemicals (I use Odorless enzyme) Thanks
Thanks for your reply Peggy, I've read up on Muriatic acid and see that it is basically Hydrochloric acid. In your experience with Muriatic acid, do you know if the 12% solution will have any negative effects on any of the following; Thru hull fittings Toilet gaskets Holding tank chemicals (I use Odorless enzyme) Thanks
Intek is the name
See this link http://www.intekmarine.com/ for pleasure craft applications and this link http://www.intekmarine.com/new_pdfs/intek_csr_pb.pdf for a discription of their hose cleaner. They were at the Annapolis show last year and insist that their product is safe for marine waste hose.
See this link http://www.intekmarine.com/ for pleasure craft applications and this link http://www.intekmarine.com/new_pdfs/intek_csr_pb.pdf for a discription of their hose cleaner. They were at the Annapolis show last year and insist that their product is safe for marine waste hose.
Muriatic acid won't hurt any system components
If it helps to put your mind at ease about it, Raritan's directions for cleaning (removing the scale buildup) the electrode pack in the Lectra/San call for a 12% solution of muriatic acid, poured down the toilet. Muriatic acid is also used to clean out engine intake and exhaust hoses. However, you will have to flush it all out of the holding tank. It won't damage anything if you don't, but it won't help the odor elimination process. However, flushing out the holding tank is no big deal...that should be done 2-3x a year to eliminate sludge anyway.
If it helps to put your mind at ease about it, Raritan's directions for cleaning (removing the scale buildup) the electrode pack in the Lectra/San call for a 12% solution of muriatic acid, poured down the toilet. Muriatic acid is also used to clean out engine intake and exhaust hoses. However, you will have to flush it all out of the holding tank. It won't damage anything if you don't, but it won't help the odor elimination process. However, flushing out the holding tank is no big deal...that should be done 2-3x a year to eliminate sludge anyway.
THANKS TO ALL!
Thanks Peggy & Bradley, I'll give the Muriatic acid a try because it'so readily available. However I will be going to the Annapolis Boat show next month and will be looking for the Intek. In either case if this stuff works it will save me a lot of money (hose $$$) and a hugely dirty job!
Thanks Peggy & Bradley, I'll give the Muriatic acid a try because it'so readily available. However I will be going to the Annapolis Boat show next month and will be looking for the Intek. In either case if this stuff works it will save me a lot of money (hose $$$) and a hugely dirty job!
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