HeadMistress
New member
There are several possible sources of "sewer-like" odors on boats--permeated sanitation hoses...wet bilges in need of a serious cleaning that includes flushing all the dirty water out...dirty sumps...and yes, stagnant sea water trapped in the head intake. They all produce hydrogen sulfide gasses. However, unless the holding tank is leaking, it cannot be the source of any odor INSIDE the boat because odor from inside the tank has only one place to go: out the tank vent.
Head intake odor: just pouring something down the toilet won't cure it because nothing poured into the bowl recirculates (thank God!) through the intake, which is where the sea water becomes trapped and stagnates. If pouring something down the toilet does cure it, it's coming from the inside of the head discharge hose and therefore most likely means it's way past time to replace the joker valve.
The easiest cure for head intake sea water odor is: tee the head sink drain into the head intake hose. Before leaving the boat, close the seacock, fill the sink with fresh water...flush the toilet. Because the seacock is closed, the toilet will pull the water out of the sink, flushing all the sea water out. If this is impractical on your boat, a short section of hose teed into the head intake using a shut off valve that can be inserted in a gallon jug of fresh water.
The cure for bilges and sumps: clean them...REALLY clean them instead of only dumping something in and hoping for the best.
Permeated hoses can leave residual odor in the enclosed areas they pass through. To get rid of the odor (or the odor from a spill), do not use bleach or chemical cleaners...they don't work. Instead, buy one of of the microbial products sold in pet stores to eliminate odor after the puppy peed on the carpet. Put it in a spray bottle and liberally "hose down" every affected surface. Do not rinse...just let it dry, leaving lockers and drawers open so that plenty of fresh air can circulate. If any odor remains, you missed a spot. Or, you haven't found the source of the odor in your boat yet. To hunt it down, remember: odors are always strongest at their source.
<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Head intake odor: just pouring something down the toilet won't cure it because nothing poured into the bowl recirculates (thank God!) through the intake, which is where the sea water becomes trapped and stagnates. If pouring something down the toilet does cure it, it's coming from the inside of the head discharge hose and therefore most likely means it's way past time to replace the joker valve.
The easiest cure for head intake sea water odor is: tee the head sink drain into the head intake hose. Before leaving the boat, close the seacock, fill the sink with fresh water...flush the toilet. Because the seacock is closed, the toilet will pull the water out of the sink, flushing all the sea water out. If this is impractical on your boat, a short section of hose teed into the head intake using a shut off valve that can be inserted in a gallon jug of fresh water.
The cure for bilges and sumps: clean them...REALLY clean them instead of only dumping something in and hoping for the best.
Permeated hoses can leave residual odor in the enclosed areas they pass through. To get rid of the odor (or the odor from a spill), do not use bleach or chemical cleaners...they don't work. Instead, buy one of of the microbial products sold in pet stores to eliminate odor after the puppy peed on the carpet. Put it in a spray bottle and liberally "hose down" every affected surface. Do not rinse...just let it dry, leaving lockers and drawers open so that plenty of fresh air can circulate. If any odor remains, you missed a spot. Or, you haven't found the source of the odor in your boat yet. To hunt it down, remember: odors are always strongest at their source.
<hr width=100% size=1>Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987