Not Again!

Status
Not open for further replies.
M

Mark Juetten

After a very difficult time in a gale with 11' seas a very bad leakage of approx. half gallon of sewage appeared under the aft berth. There as a thin layer of residue just under the mattress sits on but none on the mattress. I know it came from the tank but can't figure out how . I am not able to get to the fitting. A secondary cause may relate to the guest peasureixing the tank by over use and pumping. After pumping no more liquis but lingering smell. This happened once 5 years ago when the compartment above he tank got very wet. Any insight would be greatly appreciated by me and my nose. Thanks.
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Cleanup after sewage spill

(Btw, Phil...the is the second time I've posted this reply. The first one disappeared into the ozone) Buy some Raritan K.O. holding tank treatment...it's a live bacteria product that "eats" odor-producing spores. Clean the spill area with detergent and water, but don't use bleach, Lysol or any other "antibacterial" product. Put some K.O. in a trigger sprayer or pump-up garden spray bottle and liberally saturate the area with it. Don't rinse...let it dry, leaving that area open (I'd remove the mattress) so that plenty of fresh air can circulate for 24 hours. That will get rid of the odor permanently. If any did get on the mattress, saturate the site liberally with K.O. and put it outside in the sunshine to dry. Also good for musty wet lockers and pet accident sites.
 
G

Guest

Thanks Peggie ! Any ideas how it got there?

I was considering a live bactria product. I just can't figure out how the sewage got there in he firt place and where it escaped.
 
J

Jeff Bacon

There is more than an "in and out" hose...

Mark: After some recent hose replacement, I have found that there is more than an a simple "in hose, and out hose" for the holding tank. The IN hose (from the head) is at the top of the tank on the port side... no surprises here unless the clamps are not tight enough. The OUT hose is on the bottom side of the tank on the opposite side. However, the OUT hose goes to the macerater pump, and, to the pump out fitting on the hull. There is a PVC "T" fitting directly behind (aft) the rudder post. This fitting may have a crack, or has perhaps has lost the sealant somehow. The "T" fitting is hard to see due to it's location. But, if you take off the access panel under the top shelf in the aft cabin about the midship area, then stuff your body through the 1 foot square hole, and bend your head around, you can see the additional plumbing and piping (hoses). Good luck actually trying to get your hands on it. Other than the obvious cracked tank or loose hoses, this is all I can think of. Good luck !! Jeff
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

Why do you even have a macerator in Ohio?

You have to be at least 3 miles out to sea to use it, which seems a little far for you to go just to dump a tank. After a few seasons of sitting in the boat unused, it won't be operable any more...all the rubber parts in it will have dried out, and all the lubrication in the motor will have settled and turned to something about the consistency of taffy. Better to take it, along with the leaky tee fittings, out and let a future owner who has a use for a macerator install one.
 
J

Jeff Bacon

Simple, Peggy....

It came with the boat. It dosent get used, it's disconnected at the electrical panel, it can't get turned on accidentally, and I will need it in the not too distant future.
 
P

Peggie Hall/Head Mistress

How long between "came with the boat' and

"not too distant future?" Even if that's only a couple of years, most likely you'll be better off replacing it. Better safe than sorry, especially when going offshore. That doesn't only apply to macerators, btw.
 
M

Mark Juetten

I believe

I believe some guests may have preasureized the tank which forced sewage out the old wema acess port which I thought I sealed wih 5200. Wema strikes again and this sewage made it's way past the aft bulkhead....maybe. I'll know more after I tear he area apart over labor day.how aptly named. Thanks so much for all your advice. Easpecially Jeff.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.