Salt clogged dicharge hose

[Terry]

I am a liveaboard on my hunter 30 and have a problem with the discharge line becoming clogged with salt from the flush water I presume. I have tried using distilled white vinigar to try and disolve it with some success, but it acts very slowly. Any one have any ideas?

 

[Steve Perry]

Salt clogged discharge hose

Hi Terry & CrewI had the same problem with my Newport 33. I don't know how accessible the run of your hose is from the Y-valve to the thru-hull, but I was able to disconnect both ends and thread the hose thru the holes in the bulkheads to remove it completely from the boat. (Be certain to cap or plug both ends so that any residual nasties won't spill into places you'd prefer they not be!) With the hose over the side, I beat, flexed, crushed, whacked, and generally worried the 1/4 in. thick plaque into small chunks which then fell from the hose & returned to their origin.If your hose isn't salvageable, replacement material should not be too expensive. I have a glimmer that waiting for the stuff to disolve might not be rewarded with a working head during this century.Good Luck. Usual disclaimers. YMMV.Best, SteveSV Menolly

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Easier to prevent than cure

A cupful of white vinegar down the toilet once a week will keep the sea water crystals from building up. Dissolving them--as you noted--takes time and patience. One or two applications usually isn't enough to do it when there's a lot of buildup.