Frozen boat - antifreeze in Loo?

[Dougy]

Went to boat yesterday and the loos froze solid, the water in the bilge is solid which means the bilge pump is solid. Poured hot water down the loo and a cap-full of antifreeze. God knows if that was a good idea?
Also now concerned about the new bilge pump I fitted a month ago.. Roll on the thaw!!

 

[Chris_Robb]

I always leave 50 50 antifreeze in the loo. It also keeps the seals nice and stops any corrosion. Most important to put it through the engine seawater side when laying up as water will remain in the heat exchanges and pumps etc if it has been run through with fresh water (as of course you certainly must have done!)

 

[Daydream believer]

If you have a Jabsco loo there is a screwed plug in the side of the bowl in line with the bottom opposite the pump out side. If you pump in a small quantity of clean water you can then undo this plastic plug which allows you to drain the bowl. Leave it out & some of the water in the pump will slowly drain back ( the valves are not perfect)& that should leave the pump dry as well.
Too late now that it has frozen though!!!
I have a hozelock fitting just before my shower pump & plug in a length of 12mm hose using another hoselock. The hose is about 12 feet long. On the end of the hose is a 6mm length of copper pipe but the end of an oil extractor pipe would do.
I then use the shower pump to hoover up all the small quantities of excess water from any point around the boat. Being a 6mm pipe it will remove water that is only 3mm deep so a bit of rag will remove the last drop.
This normally stops any excess water freezing up over winter.

 

[Dougy]

I always leave 50 50 antifreeze in the loo. It also keeps the seals nice and stops any corrosion. Most important to put it through the engine seawater side when laying up as water will remain in the heat exchanges and pumps etc if it has been run through with fresh water (as of course you certainly must have done!)

Yes, spent so much time making sure the engine was ok forgot the loo etc!!

 

[gilesfordcrush]

Hi Dougy, where is you boat, and is it hauled out?

Giles

 

[alancollins]

I put windscreen washer fluid in my loo as I worry that anti freeze might damage the rubber bits. It works for me.

 

[knuterikt]

Went to boat yesterday and the loos froze solid, the water in the bilge is solid which means the bilge pump is solid. Poured hot water down the loo and a cap-full of antifreeze. God knows if that was a good idea?
Also now concerned about the new bilge pump I fitted a month ago.. Roll on the thaw!!

We always winterize the toilet with anti freeze, made i simple for myself..
The outlet from from wash basin is connected to toilet sea water intake with two tees and ball valve, so i close bot through hulls open the connecting valve and poor 50/50 mix into wash basin and pump on toilet. Afterward i open and close the seacocks to fill the ball valve with anti freeze.

Have never seen any damage to the toilet.

 

[paulieraw]

Antifreeze is great for lots of things, mix it with a couple of ingredients and it makes a great protection for wood that prevents rot and stops further damage, once dried can be painted or varnished.

 

[Dougy]

Hi Dougy, where is you boat, and is it hauled out?

Giles

Hi Giles it's on the hard in Wareham.