Nothing in the head that hasn't passed thru your body

[tcbro]

I posted this on another thread earlier and decided I shouldn't hijack that thread. I have heard several boat owners say that they enforce this rule on their boats. My question to them is "what do you do with the used TP?". A friend has this rule on his boat and they put the soiled TP in a waste basket. I find this practice a bit repulsive. People on this site are constantly complaining about odors permeating the sanitary hoses, what about a waste basket full of cr*ppy TP stewing in the summer heat? We just use cheap (read thin) TP from the store and it works fine. We even build a "TP nest" in the bottom of the bowl. It helps everything slide down and reduces "skid marks".What is the policy on your boat?If you have this rule, how do you dispose of the soiled TP?Does the RV/Marine TP designed for holding tanks work for you?Sorry if I offended, I'm just curious,

 

[Paul Akers]

Actually, the BVI Charter Fleets...

...now ask you to save "wet" TP in a plastic bag to deposit in the trash, eventually. I was last there in 2006. It seems that the overboard discharge is usually eaten by reef fish, EXCEPT for the paper. Thus, the wholesome properties of paper (?) are not eaten and accumulate on the reefs after sinking and make the reefs less appealing to divers. HOLD ALL TRASH ON STATION until you can take it ashore!

 

[Alan]

I've used this procedure for years on my boat. It has never been a 'smelly' problem. I keep a plastic bag inside a small waste bucket and tie it off after each use. At the end of the day it is removed with all the other trash from on-board.Smelly hoses come from a completely different source and this too can be dealt with. I replaced all my hoses with rigid PVC pipe which does not give off any odor. Alternatively you can make the last flush at days end with fresh water and a small amount of vinegar.

 

[Jadedcrew]

The Head

What is the problem with TP in the head? Do you not put TP in your toilets at home?

 

[NautiDuck]

We put TP in the head

We always pumpout, never discharge in the water. I would think that people who pumpout would have no reason to bag the TP seperately.

 

[Clark]

We've used the thin single-ply TP and find it not to be an issue . . .

as long as there aren't large quantities of it. I understand your desire to avoid soiling the bowl, just don't use too much. Single ply breaks down pretty quickly so there is no harm. With that said, we also use babywipes that get bagged if there is a need for cleaning beyond what a "reasonable" amount of TP can provide.

 

[Bob V]

zip-lock bags

For anything that has not passed through the body. Seal carefully and dispose of in flip top can with plastic bag liner. No odors.

 

[jackhartjr]

If your TP ...

...after soaking in a glass of water overnight has pretty much dissolved...it will do the same thing in the tank.I was amazed the first time I went camping in our travel trailer, after several days of using the head I had to dump the black water tank. (We use a chemical similar to Oderless (Spelling) that Peggie recommends.) I expected to see all sorts of paper and shall we say, 'solids', however it was just like water for the most part. I was amazed at how the chemical broke it down!So back to the paper...put a couple of sheets of your favorite in a galss of water overnight and check it. If it dissolves, you can use it in your heard with no problems.Jack

 

[Brian D]

Even better, if you are really anal about this...

(sorry for the pun)Collect some sea water and do the same test. See how the TP breaks down in the environment it will be used. (in my case, I pump in raw seawater and it goes to my holding tank)I can understand the concerns if the paper in use is synthetic in nature. However, if it is truly a paper product, and that is made from wood, wouldn't it have the characteristics of being biodegradable?

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Not a bad rule for landlubber guests...'cuz

Landlubbers seem unable to grasp that there's a difference between the quick-dissolve TP provided and the wet wipe or facial tissue they brought with 'em. But there's NO reason for YOU or any crew experienced in using marine toilets to avoid flushing TP, as long as it's the quick-dissolve stuff. In fact, it dissolves so quickly that even a clog from a major "overload" will dissolve on its own if you wait an hour. If it doesn't, somebody flushed something they shouldn't have.Besides, "only if you've eaten it first" isn't 100% bullet-proof either. I've seen manual toilet pumps and y-valves jammed by watermelon seeds...had a customer once whose grandsons couldn't figure out what to do with their bubble gum, so they swallowed it, jamming up the vacuum pump in a VacuFlush system...and a host of other problems caused by previously INgested, but unDIgested, edibles.Btw, Jack...it wasn't the chemical that dissolved the solids and TP, it dissolved because it was in water. It's pretty easy to see how quickly quick-dissolve TP also dissolves in water. Solid waste is 75% water to begin with, is broken up during flushing, and also dissolves fairly quickly in water. Odor prevention/elimination is the only reason to use a tank product.

 

[jackhartjr]

Thanks Peggie...

...I stand corrected. And very appreciative of all of your advice and work on this and other boards.Jack

 

[Maine Sail]

Been using Scott...

Been using Scott singly ply, in the individually wax paper wrapped rolls, for years and years and NEVER ONCE had an issue. If it's safe for septic tanks it's probably safe for your boat. We have lots of guests and lots of inexperienced flushers yet the Scott has worked fine. You don't need to mortgage your house to buy the "marine grade" toilet paper besides the wax paper packaging on the Scott keeps the roll dry on board.. Jeez I really feel bad for those of you stuffing your butt wipes into zip lock bags.... There's just no need!

 

[Joseph Shirley]

In most of Mexico their minimal soil pipe sizes plug up whenever

they put toilet paper in the toilet so they don't do it. They always put the dirty paper in waste baskets (with disposable plastic trash bags in them). Whenever a toilet backs they automatically think that some unknowing gringo has just used the toilet and run off, leaving them to deal with the plugged toilet.When you've been there awhile you don't think twice about putting paper in a basket, no matter how foul it may seem.On my boat we normally put it in the toilet.Joe S

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

toilet problems

Surprised no one brought this up already - if toilet paper causes problems in your head, you might want to consider replacing it with one that does what it's supposed to do. It seems only reasonable the captain should make the rules, not the toilet.

 

[Ross]

This problem may also reflect the quality of the fixture.

We have a Raritan 2 and it cheerfully accepts any brand paper I feed it. 8 Years and never a clog.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I think we're on to something Ross

I think our Raritan will handle cinder blocks.

 

[Ross]

I have an Edson 30 diaphragm pump.

I have been told that as a test, people have pumped a Tee shirt through one with no clog. So fixtures can be made that don't have to be treated like a fine watch.

 

[Warren Milberg]

While we use quick dissolve paper

in our manual head, whenever we have guests who are non-boat owners we invoke the rule about not putting anything in the head they haven't eaten first. On more than a few occasions we (I mean me, the plumber) learned the hard way that some folks just use gobs and gobs of paper without any thought to the peculiarities -- and limitations -- of a manual marine head and holding tank. We've found that a small closable plastic pail with a plastic liner works well in keeping the head free of paper clogs and we have never noted any smells from the pail -- which is always emptied at the next marina stop. We've also found that pumping out the holding tank after every trip/use, to include a fresh water rinse with a little liquid soap now and then, really prevents odors nicely.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I couln't imagine sailing around with a bucket full of

used toilet paper. If we had to do that my wife would be so disgusted she would never go on the boat. It is WELL worth the money to buy marine or RV toilet paper and flush it instead of carrying around a can full of used TP. ALso, knowing Murphy's Law as we all do, what do you think is going to happen with that can when it is near full....Eventually it will be a crappy disaster.I have to throw this out since we are "Heading" this way. My toilet was near re-build time and I took Peggy's advice and replaced it with a Raritan PHII. It is nice to know that the toilet will work property everytime you use it. It was well worth the money! Thanks Peggie!