Have solids buildup in my discharge hose from the head. Is there any way to treat/desolve this material without distroying the head & plumbing? S/Y Tenacious St. Petersburg, FL
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The Cure...and the Prevention
The buildup isn't solid waste (at least very little of it is)...it's sea water calcium carbonates that are stained by waste. The cure: several applications of undiluted white vinegar down the toilet...or, if you're in a hurry, a 12% solution of muriatic acid and water. If you go that route, be sure to follow all directions for use VERY carefully! To use either one, disconnect the hose from the tank and plug it first, to keep the solution in the hose. White vinegar should stand several hours...the muriatic acid solution only about an hour. Prevention: Once a week, or last thing before the boat is to sit between weekends, flush a couple of quarts of clean fresh water down the toilet, followed by a cupful of undiluted white vinegar. Be sure the flush the vinegar all the way through to the tank...do NOT leave it sitting in the bowl. It's also important to make sure that you flush the toilet long enough to move bowl contents ALL the way to the tank. Don't stop pumping or take your finger off the flush button as soon as the bowl is empty...that leaves waste sitting in the hose to permeate it. For more details about how to cure and prevent most sanitation system problems, check out the link below.
The buildup isn't solid waste (at least very little of it is)...it's sea water calcium carbonates that are stained by waste. The cure: several applications of undiluted white vinegar down the toilet...or, if you're in a hurry, a 12% solution of muriatic acid and water. If you go that route, be sure to follow all directions for use VERY carefully! To use either one, disconnect the hose from the tank and plug it first, to keep the solution in the hose. White vinegar should stand several hours...the muriatic acid solution only about an hour. Prevention: Once a week, or last thing before the boat is to sit between weekends, flush a couple of quarts of clean fresh water down the toilet, followed by a cupful of undiluted white vinegar. Be sure the flush the vinegar all the way through to the tank...do NOT leave it sitting in the bowl. It's also important to make sure that you flush the toilet long enough to move bowl contents ALL the way to the tank. Don't stop pumping or take your finger off the flush button as soon as the bowl is empty...that leaves waste sitting in the hose to permeate it. For more details about how to cure and prevent most sanitation system problems, check out the link below.
Count the strokes
to completely empty the hose. It takes at least 15 strokes on my 35.5 to clear the hose out. Most people give up before the pump the correct number of strokes and then let the waste sit in the hose. I have a sign posted over the head that says "Minimum of 15 strokes".
to completely empty the hose. It takes at least 15 strokes on my 35.5 to clear the hose out. Most people give up before the pump the correct number of strokes and then let the waste sit in the hose. I have a sign posted over the head that says "Minimum of 15 strokes".
Nope, vinegar won't de-lube the pump
Bowl contents are only pulled into the bottom part of the pump, then pushed out the discharge. It's another reason to use thick teflon grease instead of a thin liquid poured down the toilet...it doesn't wash out easily. And the action of the pump is continually spreading it all over the inside of the cylinder.
Bowl contents are only pulled into the bottom part of the pump, then pushed out the discharge. It's another reason to use thick teflon grease instead of a thin liquid poured down the toilet...it doesn't wash out easily. And the action of the pump is continually spreading it all over the inside of the cylinder.
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