Cleaning holding tank plumbing

E

eddystone

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Aug 2013
Messages
1,936
Location
North West Devon
Visit site
We have one central holding tank (Bav 42) for the two heads with consequently long hose runs. I would like (rephrase that I need) to do something to mitigate the odour probably to include resealing the hose tank junctions. Can this be done by putting chemicals into toilets and pumping through then pumping out the holding tank?
Boat is out of the water
 
eddystone said:
We have one central holding tank (Bav 42) for the two heads with consequently long hose runs. I would like (rephrase that I need) to do something to mitigate the odour probably to include resealing the hose tank junctions. Can this be done by putting chemicals into toilets and pumping through then pumping out the holding tank?
Boat is out of the water
Click to expand...
We've had the same problem this year - maybe because of the heat. Calgon antibacterial liquid flushed through several times did the trick for us but I've no idea whether it's recommended for marine use. Also, inlet hoses can stink, so may also need flushing.
 
I put 5 litres of white vinegar in my holding tank system last winter and left it. Made quite a difference to the odour, though it wasn't bad to start with. Also tightened up the hose clamps that had relaxed over the years. The hose that I used was an expensive low odour type to minimise smell as well

The long hose runs of your system will mean a lot more than 5 litres though. Are the hoses low odour such as 10 Year Warranty Sanitation Hose | Tek-Tanks
 
Boathook said:
I put 5 litres of white vinegar in my holding tank system last winter and left it. Made quite a difference to the odour, though it wasn't bad to start with. Also tightened up the hose clamps that had relaxed over the years. The hose that I used was an expensive low odour type to minimise smell as well

The long hose runs of your system will mean a lot more than 5 litres though. Are the hoses low odour such as 10 Year Warranty Sanitation Hose | Tek-Tanks
Click to expand...
+1 on the vinegar. I get mine from a chip shop supplier, cheap as chips.
 
The problem with long hose runs is that liquids collect in the inevitable droops, where they have ample time to permeate the hose material. The old technique for detecting the source of smells is to rub the outside of the hose with paper handkerchiefs and sniff them. If they smell you have found the source. Cleaning may not be very effective in this case, replacement being better.
 
eddystone said:
Doesn’t white vinegar potentially damage seals etc.? Should it be diluted. There are some proprietary holding tank cleaners eg Jabsco
Click to expand...
Vinegar contains a very small amount of acetic acid, not enough to cause any significant damage to any toilet component.

I find that regular treatment with small volumes of acid (I prefer to use hydrochloric) is far more effective in reducing scale than trying to remove a heavy layer with large volumes for a long period of time. 500 ml every fortnight or so works well, followed by flushing and normal use.
 
westernman said:
Don't underestimate how much the inlet side of things can smell due to various small (presumably dead) sea critters.
Click to expand...
Very true. The infamous H2S smell that makes itself known at the first flush of the weekend is due to the deposits of the previous weekend that have festered in the inlet pipe during the week. The piston O-ring and flap vales are far from 100% efficient.
 
eddystone said:
We have one central holding tank (Bav 42) for the two heads with consequently long hose runs. I would like (rephrase that I need) to do something to mitigate the odour probably to include resealing the hose tank junctions. Can this be done by putting chemicals into toilets and pumping through then pumping out the holding tank?
Boat is out of the water
Click to expand...
When we ordered our 37 we specifically avoided the factory holding tank system because of the problems of the long run from the toilet to the tank on the other side of the boat -over 6m from memory which is full of waste most of the time . The standard house was the worst kind of plastic guaranteed to stink after a couple of years. Instead we fitted a gravity tank which was largely trouble free.

Suggest you take the opportunity to replace the hoses with sanitary hose and clean the system thoroughly. Then when in use, never leave it with any waste in the system except when actually using it. Flush it through thoroughly with clean water and pump the tank dry. Install Y valves if they are not there already so that you can [ump direct when at sea and only use the tank if you have to.
 
We have the Sea Smart system fitted which squirts a dose of anti bac into the inlet hose as much of the smell comes from rotting stagnant sea water coming up from the sea cock to the flush handle.

Had the boat over two years now, no smell at all. With skill, the pouches can be refilled at home with something cheaper from Tesco.

SeaSmart - Advanced odour control for marine toilets - Wessex Boat Store
 
wonkywinch said:
We have the Sea Smart system fitted which squirts a dose of anti bac into the inlet hose as much of the smell comes from rotting stagnant sea water coming up from the sea cock to the flush handle.

Had the boat over two years now, no smell at all. With skill, the pouches can be refilled at home with something cheaper from Tesco.

SeaSmart - Advanced odour control for marine toilets - Wessex Boat Store
Click to expand...
Why in Neptunes Name is this product not called Sea Squirt?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top