Hi Peggie! My aunt is out visiting for the holidays and I'm letting her use my boat as home base. She's loving it tremendously but she mentioned last night that the galley sink drains really slowly. She had just poured a cup of cold coffee down it & it was just sitting there. I had previously told her to make sure the thru hull was open so I double checked & sure enough it was. I ran my hand up the hose (most of it's behind a cabinet) & couldn't find any kinks. Next I took a wire hanger & gently prodded down till I came to resistance. It was obviously where the hose curved slightly & I didn't want to poke a hole so I stopped. Now not much ever goes down the drain as I don't cook a whole lot on the boat & most spare liquids go overboard. The hose is pretty nasty so I'll be replacing it after she leaves but Rob thinks that bottom growth could be the culprit. We're in fresh water so mainly just get a nice crop of slime. Do you think it's growth or just built up gunk? Thanks! LaDonna
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Hard to say which it is
However...if you have any C.P. Cleans Potties, or can get some easily, try pouring some down the drain and letting it stand in the hose overnight. If it's just gunk, the enzymes should eat through it overnight...however, if your thru-hull is overgrown with "weeds" I dunno whether it will or not. Either way, it's worth a try.
However...if you have any C.P. Cleans Potties, or can get some easily, try pouring some down the drain and letting it stand in the hose overnight. If it's just gunk, the enzymes should eat through it overnight...however, if your thru-hull is overgrown with "weeds" I dunno whether it will or not. Either way, it's worth a try.
Slow drain galley sink
Being from frozen north I would ask; Is there any chance you could be experencing ice build-up in the lower portions of the hose that could block or reduce flow. Partial or total blockage will result. Any deposits of grease within this line can also solidify with colder temps. Good Luck
Being from frozen north I would ask; Is there any chance you could be experencing ice build-up in the lower portions of the hose that could block or reduce flow. Partial or total blockage will result. Any deposits of grease within this line can also solidify with colder temps. Good Luck
Not ice
Yeah it got a little chilly last week but we really don't get much of a freeze in Portland. It's possible about the grease build up but we've tried boiling water which should have done it. I'll be trying Peggie's CP & see if that does the trick. LaDonna
Yeah it got a little chilly last week but we really don't get much of a freeze in Portland. It's possible about the grease build up but we've tried boiling water which should have done it. I'll be trying Peggie's CP & see if that does the trick. LaDonna
Possible air lock?
I have a problem with a slow galley sink drain on my boat, that turned out to be caused by air trapped in the drain line. Water going down won't let the air come up, so draining is very slow. The solution is to close the thru-hull seacock for just a second until the hose fills up, then re-open the seacock. Water then drains out quickly (until next time!)
I have a problem with a slow galley sink drain on my boat, that turned out to be caused by air trapped in the drain line. Water going down won't let the air come up, so draining is very slow. The solution is to close the thru-hull seacock for just a second until the hose fills up, then re-open the seacock. Water then drains out quickly (until next time!)
LaDonna, re your slow sink drain...
Last night I happened to catch something on tv that really grabbed my interest: an interview with Heloise (the queen of household hints) in which she claimed that white vinegar and baking soda make a great drain opener. I have no idea what proportions, and I haven't tried it yet 'cuz I don't have any white vinegar in the house (white vinegar is 5% acidic acid--about twice that of cider vinegar). However, neither ingredient is toxic...they don't combine to make a lethal compound (as bleach and ammonia do)...so I don't think you have anything to lose by trying it. Let me know what happens?
Last night I happened to catch something on tv that really grabbed my interest: an interview with Heloise (the queen of household hints) in which she claimed that white vinegar and baking soda make a great drain opener. I have no idea what proportions, and I haven't tried it yet 'cuz I don't have any white vinegar in the house (white vinegar is 5% acidic acid--about twice that of cider vinegar). However, neither ingredient is toxic...they don't combine to make a lethal compound (as bleach and ammonia do)...so I don't think you have anything to lose by trying it. Let me know what happens?
Peggie re: baking soda
I was thinking of trying this (it's an old trick I learned awhile back) but was concerned about the pressure involved. Typically, you put in the soda, vinegar & plug the drain. This builds up pressure to push whatever is in the drain out. I was concerned that if my problem is bottom growth that it might cause more problems than it would solve (ie: bursting the hose or something). I'll give it a shot & just keep a watchful eye on it. Thanks! LaDonna
I was thinking of trying this (it's an old trick I learned awhile back) but was concerned about the pressure involved. Typically, you put in the soda, vinegar & plug the drain. This builds up pressure to push whatever is in the drain out. I was concerned that if my problem is bottom growth that it might cause more problems than it would solve (ie: bursting the hose or something). I'll give it a shot & just keep a watchful eye on it. Thanks! LaDonna
I'd be VERY careful, LaDonna...
And I wouldn't use much. It shouldn't take too much pressure to blow veggie growth off the thru-hull...however, a barnacle or other critter firmly welded to it prob'ly wouldn't let go. If nothing else is teed into the drain, and you're sure the hose clamps--at least on the thru-hull--are good and tight, and the hose is thick rubber, it might be worth a try. Otoh, it might be simpler just to replace the hose unless getting to it to that is a major PITA. If that doesn't cure the problem, it's definitely a blocked thru-hull. I'm NOT advising anyone to try this...and I'm definitely advising AGAINST trying to unclog a toilet or a blocked holding tank vent with vinegar and baking soda (ohhh my--the mental images!) But LaDonna knows her way around boat systems a LOT better than most people. So it's up to you, LaDonna...I know that you'll know when to get to nervous--or not--about the pressure...and if you do, you'll know whether and when to abort and pull the sink plug. Put a towel over it first, though... in case you have both a clog AND a blocked thru-hull, and whatever lets go in the drain goes up, not down.
If you do try it, let me know what happens.
And I wouldn't use much. It shouldn't take too much pressure to blow veggie growth off the thru-hull...however, a barnacle or other critter firmly welded to it prob'ly wouldn't let go. If nothing else is teed into the drain, and you're sure the hose clamps--at least on the thru-hull--are good and tight, and the hose is thick rubber, it might be worth a try. Otoh, it might be simpler just to replace the hose unless getting to it to that is a major PITA. If that doesn't cure the problem, it's definitely a blocked thru-hull. I'm NOT advising anyone to try this...and I'm definitely advising AGAINST trying to unclog a toilet or a blocked holding tank vent with vinegar and baking soda (ohhh my--the mental images!) But LaDonna knows her way around boat systems a LOT better than most people. So it's up to you, LaDonna...I know that you'll know when to get to nervous--or not--about the pressure...and if you do, you'll know whether and when to abort and pull the sink plug. Put a towel over it first, though... in case you have both a clog AND a blocked thru-hull, and whatever lets go in the drain goes up, not down.
If you do try it, let me know what happens.
Stop Gap Measure
For a temporary fix what about using a toilet plunger? Make shure the hose clamps are tight and give it a shot. If it's just loose stuff blocking the hose it should just blow out. Before doing this make shure the seacock can be closed and in the event of an accident, like the hose poping off, one can close the seacock. If this doesn't work the next step is the fun part - Close the seacock and remove the hose. Since this is not a fun job maybe a good strategy is to snooker or bribe the man of the house/boat to do it. Then clean or replace the hose. If the hose isn't blocked then it's the thruhull. Open the seacock and with a screwdriver just rod it until water starts coming in then close it and reassemble. If it's a good screwdriver coat it with oil before using it and rinse off and clean after use to minimize rust. This really shouldn't be a big problem, just maybe a little messy.
For a temporary fix what about using a toilet plunger? Make shure the hose clamps are tight and give it a shot. If it's just loose stuff blocking the hose it should just blow out. Before doing this make shure the seacock can be closed and in the event of an accident, like the hose poping off, one can close the seacock. If this doesn't work the next step is the fun part - Close the seacock and remove the hose. Since this is not a fun job maybe a good strategy is to snooker or bribe the man of the house/boat to do it. Then clean or replace the hose. If the hose isn't blocked then it's the thruhull. Open the seacock and with a screwdriver just rod it until water starts coming in then close it and reassemble. If it's a good screwdriver coat it with oil before using it and rinse off and clean after use to minimize rust. This really shouldn't be a big problem, just maybe a little messy.
Slow drain B & V rig
I've used baking soda and vinigar around the house for years...it is indeed very effective as a drain unplugger. DON'T hard-stopper it! The key is to control it with the pressure of your hand - thus you can release it anytime, and the bubbles simples come into the sink, and can be washed innocently away with water. [My method is to put a little bakng soda in, then pour the vinegar in, and use the hand block. If it's need more, use more. Then rinse it all away with water.] [P.S. I first learned this method by shooting toy rockets out of a school window for 4th graders.] But in the holding tank...oh, my, as Peggy said, 'the mental images...' Jule [& Carl!] H340 s/v Syzygy
I've used baking soda and vinigar around the house for years...it is indeed very effective as a drain unplugger. DON'T hard-stopper it! The key is to control it with the pressure of your hand - thus you can release it anytime, and the bubbles simples come into the sink, and can be washed innocently away with water. [My method is to put a little bakng soda in, then pour the vinegar in, and use the hand block. If it's need more, use more. Then rinse it all away with water.] [P.S. I first learned this method by shooting toy rockets out of a school window for 4th graders.] But in the holding tank...oh, my, as Peggy said, 'the mental images...' Jule [& Carl!] H340 s/v Syzygy
zebra mussels ?
no one mentioned it but if the hose is clear gotta be the thur hull slime or I hope not but could be zebra mussels ! They are both fresh and salt water concerns now and cloging thur hull is one of there more known for tricks! Not much else to do but scrape and clean, Let us know that the outcome of your plumbing problem was. Good Luck !
no one mentioned it but if the hose is clear gotta be the thur hull slime or I hope not but could be zebra mussels ! They are both fresh and salt water concerns now and cloging thur hull is one of there more known for tricks! Not much else to do but scrape and clean, Let us know that the outcome of your plumbing problem was. Good Luck !
Carbide Works Better!
If you want to "shoot" something off and want a bang try carbide and water. We used to blow up gopher holes by putting some carbide down the hole with some water. The next step is to put a sparkplug down the hole and pack some dirt around it and run a pair of wires from it to a coil and a battery. When the spark goes off it really does a number on the gopher hole. Carbide and water I believe creates acetelyne. Also works great with launching 5-gallon paint cans too. Not recommended for unplugging drains on a boat (unless maybe the boat is out of the water!). Also, this post is rated PG-21.
If you want to "shoot" something off and want a bang try carbide and water. We used to blow up gopher holes by putting some carbide down the hole with some water. The next step is to put a sparkplug down the hole and pack some dirt around it and run a pair of wires from it to a coil and a battery. When the spark goes off it really does a number on the gopher hole. Carbide and water I believe creates acetelyne. Also works great with launching 5-gallon paint cans too. Not recommended for unplugging drains on a boat (unless maybe the boat is out of the water!). Also, this post is rated PG-21.
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