Blocked waste water holding tank

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cdogg

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Hi,
I have noticed the odd post about blocked black water holding tanks some members have been experiencing. I have had several suggestions recently how to unblock my tank including using the arm length veterinary rubber gloves, say no more. Excuse me if this suggestion has been posted elsewhere and is now 'old hat'.

My yacht (B30) pumps all waste seaward via the holding tank, unless of course you close the sea-cock, whereby it then waits in the tank until you choose to set it free.

Whilst at my boat yesterday the Marina Manager suggested the following:

1) Select tank sea-cock to open
2) Wrap approx three turns of insulating tape around the end of the dinghy foot pump and jam it in the deck pumping access pipe.
3) Have someone cover the small tank vent (located on the hull) with a rag.
4) Pump the dinghy foot pump a few times to pressurise the holding tank and wait a moment or two.
5) Watch with great delight as the full contents empty in (excuse me) one large cloud into the sea.
Job done, pardon the pun.

It might be worth a try if your tank has this problem.

Posts: 36
Joined: 25 Oct 2010 07:15
Location: Portavadie Marina Loch Fyne
 
cdogg said:
Hi,
I have noticed the odd post about blocked black water holding tanks some members have been experiencing. I have had several suggestions recently how to unblock my tank including using the arm length veterinary rubber gloves, say no more. Excuse me if this suggestion has been posted elsewhere and is now 'old hat'.

My yacht (B30) pumps all waste seaward via the holding tank, unless of course you close the sea-cock, whereby it then waits in the tank until you choose to set it free.

Whilst at my boat yesterday the Marina Manager suggested the following:

1) Select tank sea-cock to open
2) Wrap approx three turns of insulating tape around the end of the dinghy foot pump and jam it in the deck pumping access pipe.
3) Have someone cover the small tank vent (located on the hull) with a rag.
4) Pump the dinghy foot pump a few times to pressurise the holding tank and wait a moment or two.
5) Watch with great delight as the full contents empty in (excuse me) one large cloud into the sea.
Job done, pardon the pun.

It might be worth a try if your tank has this problem.

Posts: 36
Joined: 25 Oct 2010 07:15
Location: Portavadie Marina Loch Fyne
Click to expand...


Stand well clear.......In future use the cheapest Tesco loo paper and pop over to Kip Marina and exchange some well earned Scottish Notes for some Oderlos holding tank treatment. It breaks up the cludge and removes the pong. Oderlos is one of the few products the Headmistress holds in as much esteem as her own however her's are difficult to find.
 
cdogg said:
1) Select tank sea-cock to open
2) Wrap approx three turns of insulating tape around the end of the dinghy foot pump and jam it in the deck pumping access pipe.
3) Have someone cover the small tank vent (located on the hull) with a rag.
4) Pump the dinghy foot pump a few times to pressurise the holding tank and wait a moment or two.
5) Watch with great delight as the full contents empty in (excuse me) one large cloud into the sea.
Job done, pardon the pun.
Click to expand...

You realise that if the full contents fail to "empty in (excuse me) one large cloud into the sea" they will emerge from the pump-out fitting in one large (mushroom shaped) cloud as soon as you remove the dinghy pump.

Just thought I'd mention it....

(Are you selling tickets, btw..? ;))

Andy
 
misterg said:
You realise that if the full contents fail to "empty in (excuse me) one large cloud into the sea" they will emerge from the pump-out fitting in one large (mushroom shaped) cloud as soon as you remove the dinghy pump.

Just thought I'd mention it....

(Are you selling tickets, btw..? ;))

Andy
Click to expand...

Very good! I hadn't thought that far ahead. Should I need to use this technique again I will be sure to recruit an assistant to remove the pump while I, er! check from the bow area.
 
My old grandad used to say 'caustic soda' to any blocked pipe issue??

Probably boil the pipes, kill the valves and seals not to mention the wildlife for miles around though!

Having said that, I did pass this nugget of advice on to the clerk of works in a boarding school I taught at in the 70's.
All the main sewage pipes became blocked one friday evening and with about 450 individuals needing the ablutions over the weekend something needed doing asap.
All the drain covers were bubbling away. Teams were also going to need a shower from the 5 rugby fields on top of things so to speak.

A packet of caustic soda went down each main drain cover.
It was like waiting for a huge explosion which you knew just had to happen...

Three hours or so later....whooooosh !!!! and a sound from the drains like a thousand plumbers visiting a problem and sucking air in through their teeth! :)
 
Last edited:
USing caustic soda for drain pipes is good. Another method is to pour a bin of more than 1 litre boiled water into the drain pipes to remove garbage.
 
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