use of liquid plumber

May 29, 2013
130
catalina 30 dana point
I have a clog in my waste system, probably been there a while as a result of PO deferred maintenance. I have seen a older post, that seriously chastised the poster for even "thinking about" using liquid plumber.

Why? thx
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,893
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Because your "pipes" on the boat are not metal like at home. Liquid plumber is not for boats. It will eat all the rubber flaps in your head (toilet). Not good.

The cure is to replace your hoses and rebuild or replace the head.

Head Hoses 101 http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5738.0.html
 
Jun 8, 2004
2,903
Catalina 320 Dana Point
Clogged discharge, clogged intake, full to the top tank, all manifest as inability to pump the head. I'd start by pumping out and flushing the tank, you'll need to do that first regardless.
 
Nov 7, 2012
678
1978 Catalina 30 Wilbur-by-the-Sea
My head acted "clogged" when I got it. Turns out it was the y valve was set to direct discharge and the knob was broken off. There was a reason as the entire system needed replacement as it was an old school chemical treatment system.

Long and short, new plumbing, new tank, new pumps, I have poo...

Good luck...
 
May 29, 2013
130
catalina 30 dana point
Thanks, seems everyone discounts my liquid plumber idea so I'm going per your recommendation. Thanks for your interest and advise. Happy sails!
 

jrowan

.
Mar 5, 2011
1,294
O'Day 35 Severn River, Mobjack Bay, Va.
ps. Liquid Plumber contains caustic Lye, a very nasty chemcial that if injested is lethal, & if it so much as splashes on your skin will immediately burn it.
If is splashes in your eyes when trying to pump out the head & it backs up it will cause blindness. It doesn't even get rid of the clog. The only thing it succeeds in is eating away your pipes & seals.
As Stu said its eats anything rubber or plastic. I work as a building inspector, & you'd be amazed about how corrosive Lye is to metal waste pipes. Should be illegal.
I actually think it was invented by plumbers to give them work to do when the crap eats through your pipes. But in reality, plumbers will charge extra if they find lye in your drain, because it you auger pipes with Draino in there & it splashes up, it can cause serious injuries.
Kinda like the other guy a couple of days ago who posted that he uses muriatic acid to clean his boat's deck. Way overkill & bad for the environment, & the user.
 
May 29, 2013
130
catalina 30 dana point
Thanks, went to boat this PM and flushed and pumped, flushed and pumped...seems to be working but I will check the hoses tomorrow. Goods news is short term, i can flush the head. The Admiral is happy. She was not, and when she is not happy, etc!