Need advice re: odor fighting and an abandoned macerator pump

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

A vent line filter will not cure any odors inside the boat. It also helps to create the very problem it's sold to solve: odor out the tank vent every time the toilet is flushed-- because it impedes the exchange of air with the gasses in the the tank that's necessary to PREVENT odor from being created. Vent line filters only last about year and are toast immediately if they get wet, which can happen due to heeling or overflowing the tank...all of which makes vent lines a bad idea on a sailboat. Swapping out the "vent" thru-hull for an open bulkhead (aka "mushroom") fitting will do a lot more to eliminate odor out the vent than a filter.

My book (see link in my signature below) covers all this in detail. Or you can search the archives for my posts that deal with odors...you'll find a bunch that I've written in the 26 years I've been here.

--Peggie

 

[jdhohmann]

It should be, but you may have some residual odor in the places those hoses passed through to deal with. That will require thoroughly cleaning every surface, nook and cranny with a strong solution of detergent(Dawn dish washing liquid will work) and water, followed by treating with PureAyre to get rid of it. Detailed instructions on request.

--Peggie

Hi Peggy
Its some years later, but looking for into to spray inside of hull to get rid of smell and mold.... What the best to do this, thanks

 

[Hayden Watson]

I have had good luck with Febreze. It works very well with diesel smell. It eliminates it rather than covering it up.

 

[Bob S]

PureAyre

 

[jdhohmann]

I'll give it a try, thanks!!

 

[jdrutten]

There was also a recent thread about killing mold and mildew which discussed the use of sodium chlorite (among other techniques) to kill mold and leaves the boat smelling clean that might be of interest. I plan on swapping out my head hose and doing a little scrub-down and if my stink remains I might have to give it a try:

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/help-with-mold-midew-ozone-machine-bilge-locker-cleaning.1249943563/post-1863562

 

[jdhohmann]

Sweet, thanks for the info