Just purchased a 1985 H31 and the urine smell inside the cabin is terrible. I'm a new boat owner, but handy and quite capable of doing repair work, etc. - with some guidance/info. I've heard there is a hose that can be replaced (just one?) - I've seen one that runs down the corner wall inside the bath that looks like a vacuum cleaner hose of sorts. Can't tell where it runs to/from. Any advice on which hose to replace and how? any other remedies to help improve the situation greatly appreciated!!!
Urine Smell
- Thread starter Nsdnh31
- Start date
Hose: http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=162604
Sanitation systems: http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Selecting-a-Sanitation-System
Find out what you have on your boat. It's not a bath or bathroom, the space is called a head. The "toilet" is also called a head.
For cleaning and smell proofing: www.pureayre.com
Good luck, happy hunting.
Sanitation systems: http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Selecting-a-Sanitation-System
Find out what you have on your boat. It's not a bath or bathroom, the space is called a head. The "toilet" is also called a head.
For cleaning and smell proofing: www.pureayre.com
Good luck, happy hunting.
check to see if holding tank is leaking
my 1990 Hunter had an aluminum holding tank that was severely corroded and leaking. You might want to make sure yours is not in the same condition! maybe try some food coloring in your head and see if it shows up in your bilge?
my 1990 Hunter had an aluminum holding tank that was severely corroded and leaking. You might want to make sure yours is not in the same condition! maybe try some food coloring in your head and see if it shows up in your bilge?
Thanks much for the info - good starting point. I've read lots of posts on the smell/"head" issue, so understand it's not necessarily a simple fix.
I had similar stench problem on '87 H-34. Hoses were new, tank old. Tried enzymes, flushing with fresh water... To no avail. Then this past winter out came the Raritan head and the ancient holding tank and I i stalled a Natures Head composting head. Problem solved!!!!
Thetford fixed me up
I was dealing with the same odor issues. I ripped out the tank, the head, and all the hoses, leaving only the pump out hose and head vent hose. I installed a Thetford self contained unit, that has pump out fittings.
Smell is gone.
The Thetford unit uses very little water to flush, giving up to 50 flushes before the 5 gal tank is full. I couldn't even come close to that with the old head and 12 gal tank.
All for about $150...
I was dealing with the same odor issues. I ripped out the tank, the head, and all the hoses, leaving only the pump out hose and head vent hose. I installed a Thetford self contained unit, that has pump out fittings.
Smell is gone.
The Thetford unit uses very little water to flush, giving up to 50 flushes before the 5 gal tank is full. I couldn't even come close to that with the old head and 12 gal tank.
All for about $150...
I assume that the smell is from the tank and hoses and not from a "wandering stream" so
Clean and disinfect the entire area including the wall and floor of the head.
Confirm that the tank is ok. If original aluminum replace it or confirm that it's 100% sound. Replace ALL hoses with top quality sanitation hose ((Trident is one good brand). Don't skimp on the hoses and clamps. If your head is old you should consider replacing that as well or if a good one and rebuild on the pump and valves.
Consider plumbing the Flush with fresh water.
Clean and disinfect the entire area including the wall and floor of the head.
Confirm that the tank is ok. If original aluminum replace it or confirm that it's 100% sound. Replace ALL hoses with top quality sanitation hose ((Trident is one good brand). Don't skimp on the hoses and clamps. If your head is old you should consider replacing that as well or if a good one and rebuild on the pump and valves.
Consider plumbing the Flush with fresh water.
Don't do it, you can contaminate your drinking water.
Head Odors 101.1 - "T" into sink drain: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5755.msg38216.html#msg38216
The first thing to do is to check if the tank is full and needs to be emptied. The main discharge hose from the head to the holding tank will get permeated with age and allow fumes to escape. If in doubt replace the hose with one designated for sanitation use. Check the tank for any leaks. Get yourself a bottle of head and holding tank treatment and drop a cupful into the tank after every pump out. If your tank overflowed or had a leak then you might need to flush out the inner hull and bilge a couple of times.
All,
The H31 has a fiberglass holding tank that is (I believe) integral to the fiberglass deck that supports the V-berth.
Nsdnh31,
The hose you described sounds like the holding tank vent hose. I would suggest that you replace it and all other hoses associated with the head. Obviously, you'll want to empty and rinse out the holding tank before you start, and have something on hand to catch any drips that are released when you disconnect old hoses. Anything that drips into the space under the V-berth will run directly down into the space between the hull and the liner--very difficult to get access there.
Keep in mind that, after you've located and addressed the source of the odor, the boat may not be odor-free until you've washed or wiped down every surface in the cabin.
The H31 has a fiberglass holding tank that is (I believe) integral to the fiberglass deck that supports the V-berth.
Nsdnh31,
The hose you described sounds like the holding tank vent hose. I would suggest that you replace it and all other hoses associated with the head. Obviously, you'll want to empty and rinse out the holding tank before you start, and have something on hand to catch any drips that are released when you disconnect old hoses. Anything that drips into the space under the V-berth will run directly down into the space between the hull and the liner--very difficult to get access there.
Keep in mind that, after you've located and addressed the source of the odor, the boat may not be odor-free until you've washed or wiped down every surface in the cabin.
Thanks. There is a sealed cover with several screws around it in the v-berth. Assume thats the access panel to the fiberglass tank you describe? If i remove the sealed panel, is it easily reinstalled or do i need a new seal and/or solvent to put on the seal? Just reluctant to open it up and have a whole new problem to solve --- although i'd like to visually inspect the tank and have access to do a thorough clean.
I haven't opened mine. I don't know whether the cover uses a gasket/seal or just sealer. The tank is non-pressurized, I doubt that it required anything too special. For that matter, you might discover that the seal is leaking and that's where the smell is coming from.
Agree - that's a possibility that i also considered. With The boat being 29 yrs old, very possible rubber seals/gaskets could be dry rotted and/or leaking. Thanks for the advice.