Blocked heads!

[l'escargot]

I've been to a lot of Mediterranean countries and particularly Greece provide waste bins for used toilet paper, ugh. I never use them as I can see no point. If the waste pipework is capable of transporting a sizeable turd, it will have no trouble with a moderate a mount of toilet paper unless it is in the form of a wad. This is a custom left over from when the paper was of the 'Bronco' variety which could cause a blockage and is unnecessary nowadays.

It's not about the pipe work not handling it in Greece, it is about the paper residue building up and covering the seabed in the non-tidal waters.

Pump undigested matter through the average boat toilet and it is only a matter of time before you get a blockage - personally, I'd rather prevent than cure...

 

[RichardS]

Pump undigested matter through the average boat toilet and it is only a matter of time before you get a blockage - personally, I'd rather prevent than cure...

From my relatively limited experience I'm not sure that is correct ..... provided that the only undigested matter is proper soft/multiply toilet tissue and not the Bronco/Izal greaseproof paper type stuff or kitchen roll.

We have had two blockages caused by charterers in 20 years, both from kitchen roll being used. You can tell that the wrong type of paper has been used because when I empty the holding tanks with the right paper there is no trace of paper shreds - it's just a whitish cloud of de-constituted paper fibre. If there's any kitchen roll etc in there I can see the paper flakes and might get a blockage, although it often does go through ...... but not always. :ambivalence:

Now the boat is 2+ years off charter I can control what sort of paper is onboard and I have not had any problems.

Richard

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Yes - that's a Jabsco filter like mine and the transparent top does unscrew. It certainly looks well blocked but you just need to remove the wire mesh inside and clean it and it will be as good as new. However, make sure that you take a strap wrench to the boat with you as it probably will not come off by hand unless it has been removed regularly. Also have some silicone grease or similar with you, apply plenty to the threads and rubber seal, and do not do it up too tightly ..... just tight enough by hand such that it doesn't leak. You will then be able to get it off by hand next time.

I have 4 of these filters on my boat so am well-versed in their idiosyncrasies!

Richard

Thanks for the advice Richard .... strap wrench and silicone grease very wise!

 

[l'escargot]

From my relatively limited experience I'm not sure that is correct ..... provided that the only undigested matter is proper soft/multiply toilet tissue and not the Bronco/Izal greaseproof paper type stuff or kitchen roll.

We have had two blockages caused by charterers in 20 years, both from kitchen roll being used. You can tell that the wrong type of paper has been used because when I empty the holding tanks with the right paper there is no trace of paper shreds - it's just a whitish cloud of de-constituted paper fibre. If there's any kitchen roll etc in there I can see the paper flakes and might get a blockage, although it often does go through ...... but not always. :ambivalence:

Now the boat is 2+ years off charter I can control what sort of paper is onboard and I have not had any problems.

Richard

I think sticking to "digested matter only" is unambiguous and reduces the risk of anything inappropriate being put down there. If you can confidently control what is available and that alternatives can't be found, good luck to you - I find woman in particular though, can bring their own supply of a variety of materials that will challenge the most efficient marine plumbing...

 

[ghostlymoron]

It's not about the pipe work not handling it in Greece, it is about the paper residue building up and covering the seabed in the non-tidal waters.

If that is true, then Greece should be spending their EU grants on better sewage treatment facilities rather than wasting it on some of the 'vanity' projects that you see all over the place.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

From my relatively limited experience I'm not sure that is correct ..... provided that the only undigested matter is proper soft/multiply toilet tissue and not the Bronco/Izal greaseproof paper type stuff or kitchen roll.

We have had two blockages caused by charterers in 20 years, both from kitchen roll being used. You can tell that the wrong type of paper has been used because when I empty the holding tanks with the right paper there is no trace of paper shreds - it's just a whitish cloud of de-constituted paper fibre. If there's any kitchen roll etc in there I can see the paper flakes and might get a blockage, although it often does go through ...... but not always. :ambivalence:

Now the boat is 2+ years off charter I can control what sort of paper is onboard and I have not had any problems.

Richard

I agree with Richard, but it can depend on the individual plumbing in a boat.
Sharp angled plumbing is an obvious no no, + only flushing through a very small amount of tissue at a time appears to work with my Jabsco. Bins or bags with soiled paper is not a pleasant thing to store.

The Lavac that I took out of my boat, seemed a lot more difficult to flush paper through the system. Possibly just as much to blame for the plumbing than the Lavac, although my friend has 2 Lavacs on board and he dreads visitors who flush paper through his system too.
S.