I am having problems with my head backing up. Itdoes not appear to be the head unit itself so I am wondering what the plumbing layout below that to the tank is and what valves are used along the way (if any). Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
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I suspect a blocked tank vent
When the air in the tank displaced by incoming waste can't get out the vent, the tank becomes pressurized, causing flushes to back up. The two most likely places for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull fitting and the connection on the tank...check both and scrape out what you find. You'll have to remove the vent line from the tank to check for a blockage there...open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure first, or you could get a very unpleasant bath. It's important to make sure the tank vent stays open...a blocked vent can have disastrous consequences--anything from an eruption in the toilet to a burst tank. A blocked vent will also cause a macerator or pumpout to pull a vacuum, preventing waste from being pulled out. So check the thru-hull regularly...backflush the vent line every time you pump out and/or wash the boat. If the toilet "burps" after flushing, or becomes hard to pump, or waste backs up, STOP using the toilet till you've cleared the vent or found any other problem and cured it. NEVER just turn pumpout over a dockhand and walk away...stay and watch the sight glass to make sure waste is being pulled out. If the pumpout seems to empty the tank too quickly--when it couldn't have pulled out more than only a gallon or so, cease pumpout immediately...continued suction against a blocked vent can crack a tank. As for any plumbing layout, you need to trace the plumbing yourself...if you don't know where the toilet intake seacock and the toilet and tank overboard discharge thru-hulls are, that has to mean you're leaving 'em open while no one is aboard. Not the right thing to do...head and tank thru-hulls left open are the #1 cause of boats sinking in their slips.
When the air in the tank displaced by incoming waste can't get out the vent, the tank becomes pressurized, causing flushes to back up. The two most likely places for a vent blockage are the vent thru-hull fitting and the connection on the tank...check both and scrape out what you find. You'll have to remove the vent line from the tank to check for a blockage there...open the deck pumpout fitting to relieve any pressure first, or you could get a very unpleasant bath. It's important to make sure the tank vent stays open...a blocked vent can have disastrous consequences--anything from an eruption in the toilet to a burst tank. A blocked vent will also cause a macerator or pumpout to pull a vacuum, preventing waste from being pulled out. So check the thru-hull regularly...backflush the vent line every time you pump out and/or wash the boat. If the toilet "burps" after flushing, or becomes hard to pump, or waste backs up, STOP using the toilet till you've cleared the vent or found any other problem and cured it. NEVER just turn pumpout over a dockhand and walk away...stay and watch the sight glass to make sure waste is being pulled out. If the pumpout seems to empty the tank too quickly--when it couldn't have pulled out more than only a gallon or so, cease pumpout immediately...continued suction against a blocked vent can crack a tank. As for any plumbing layout, you need to trace the plumbing yourself...if you don't know where the toilet intake seacock and the toilet and tank overboard discharge thru-hulls are, that has to mean you're leaving 'em open while no one is aboard. Not the right thing to do...head and tank thru-hulls left open are the #1 cause of boats sinking in their slips.
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