I use and enzyme based treatment in my holding tank. Recently a freind suggested that I pour some baby oil in the head and flush to "lube". Will there be any problems with this method, will it adversly effect any "o" rings, seals, or the enzymes? Thanks
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Baby oil is ok...but...
Baby oil is mineral oil with a nice fragrance. Some people prefer vegetable oil. Neither will harm the rubber parts in a toilet. However, anything thin enough to be poured into the bowl just washes out in a few flushes...so whether to use baby oil or vegetable oil depends on whether you want a never-ending job of flushing a tablespoon (any more is waste of oil 'cuz a tablespooon is all that'll stay in the pump) every couple of weeks, or whether you want to spend about 10 minutes once a year to keep your toilet well lubricated. If you only want to do it once a year, buy a tube of thick Teflon grease--which is the same thing that's in every toilet when it leaves the factory, and which you can get from any bicycle shop or swimming pool supply store (SuperLube is the best brand, but any will do). Remove the top of the pump...put a HEALTHY squirt into the cylinder...pump a couple of times to spread it all over the inside of the pump...replace the top...you're done. Waiting till the pump becomes stiff and starts to squeak before using any lubricant is like waiting till an engine starts to smoke before putting any oil in it...it's friction wearing the rubber parts that's causing the pump to be stiff and squeak. Spending 10 minutes every spring to lube it as PREVENTIVE maintenance will double or even triple the life of the rubbers parts before a rebuild is needed.
Baby oil is mineral oil with a nice fragrance. Some people prefer vegetable oil. Neither will harm the rubber parts in a toilet. However, anything thin enough to be poured into the bowl just washes out in a few flushes...so whether to use baby oil or vegetable oil depends on whether you want a never-ending job of flushing a tablespoon (any more is waste of oil 'cuz a tablespooon is all that'll stay in the pump) every couple of weeks, or whether you want to spend about 10 minutes once a year to keep your toilet well lubricated. If you only want to do it once a year, buy a tube of thick Teflon grease--which is the same thing that's in every toilet when it leaves the factory, and which you can get from any bicycle shop or swimming pool supply store (SuperLube is the best brand, but any will do). Remove the top of the pump...put a HEALTHY squirt into the cylinder...pump a couple of times to spread it all over the inside of the pump...replace the top...you're done. Waiting till the pump becomes stiff and starts to squeak before using any lubricant is like waiting till an engine starts to smoke before putting any oil in it...it's friction wearing the rubber parts that's causing the pump to be stiff and squeak. Spending 10 minutes every spring to lube it as PREVENTIVE maintenance will double or even triple the life of the rubbers parts before a rebuild is needed.
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