cleaning crusty pee

[KellysEye]

>Unfortunately the pipe work is hidden and a sod to get at. B rick cleaner seems to be the answer but is it safe on GRP gelcoat if splashed as there is a lot of it in the area ?

if the pipework is hidden doesn't that make it difficult to use acid? Also if the calcium build up is large you will need a large amount of Muriatic acid, I tried to use acid once to see how effective it was and gave up after a half gallon. What I always did and if you can do the same get the pipe out bang it on the ground and the calcium will break up, easy and no cost.

 

[Chris_Robb]

To be honest, mine is still a work in progress. It blocked in the Spring, and I have since discovered that Jabsco, (mine is a Jabsco) recommend giving seven full strokes of the pump for every metre of pipe. Well, in total, Mine is six metres, and I certainly hadn't been giving it forty-two strokes.

I do not put the acid into the toilet. I know that the pipework is all clear to the first diverter valve. I am able, easily to disconnect at the first Diverter valve, where the hose is feeding down into the bilge, on its way to the seacock, further aft, and on the other side of the boat. The boat is afloat, but by using a dinghy pump, and a second person to shut the seacock, I am able to get nearly all the water out of the pipe. I can then pour in the hydrochloric acid into the pipe. I know, in my case that the problem is only a short length of the hose, at the lowest point, so I know that the HCl is getting to the scene of the conflict. I suspect that so far, I have not given the acid long enough to work. I am confident that with the use of the acid and a clever wire drain-cleaning "snake", from Aldi, I will get it all clear.

If you can easily get your pipe out, banging it up against the wall gives instant results, and a certain gratification, as you bash it. Mine is almost impossible to dismantle. I think the boat has been built around it.

However, replacing the piping is not the complete answer, adequate pumping, is.

I agree with adequate pumping. The crew (Her indoors) gets all upity about doing 30 pumps. I have dosed with HCl but no bubbling at all, so presume free of crud. (4th Year in Med)