Holding Tank

[Scallywag]

I recently had a problem with a blocked holding tank. The problem appeared after the long winter.

I just pump through thoroughly with tap water and leave them empty but I am not sure that is the best thing to do to prepare for a long period of non-use.

What is the right thing to do with holding tanks if you are going to leave them for some time? Add something? Leave full? Etc.?

 

[chasroberts]

Did the blockage happen after use? Could you tell it was blocked before you used it? I try to open mine at the end of the season after a really good pumpthrough and blast away at the crud inside and get as much of it off the inside of the tank as possible. Not the most pleasant of jobs but there you go. The same calcium deposits that crud up your pipework also affect the inside of the tank. These will dry out and solidify during the winter and may well crumble off and cause your blockage. One way to get rid of them is to let the tank soak after filling up with a mild acidic solution (vinegar or suchlike) before the final empty and rinse etc. There used to be a toilet/holding tank whiz on here called, I believe the teacher or something similar. Not heard from her in a long time but someone else will be along soon enough with better wisdom than mine.

Do not leave the tank full especially if you are somewhere liable to freezing, which recently is most of Europe including the Med!

Good luck and happy pumping....

Chas

 

[Graham_Wright]

There used to be a toilet/holding tank whiz on here called, I believe the teacher or something similar. Not heard from her in a long time but someone else will be along soon enough with better wisdom than mine.


Chas

Headmistress. Peggy ……?

 

[chasroberts]

That's her Graham. Many thanks. Not heard from her in a while; any news?

 

[vyv_cox]

A recent thread suggested that she is probably in her 70s by now and retired.

Scale on all parts of the toilet system seems to harden over winter and can form flakes that cause blockage. We have had the same problem in the toilet itself. As Charles says, treatment with acid can help, i prefer hydrochloric but I would not leave it in all winter. It should be relatively easy to rod the holding tank through to break up such deposits.

 

[rivonia]

Blockage in holding tanks is USUALLY down to a crusted VALVE. This is because the the valve when closed retains some fluid - Uric Acid. The best thing to do is half fill with very very hot water, whilst all valves closed. Then open all the valves. This should free the system.

Good luck

 

[GeorgeLlewellin]

Good advice already above, however The authority when it comes to small boat sanitation is
The School Mistress
Mrs Peggy Joe Hall (USA)

More details here
http://www.zoominfo.com/p/Peggie-Hall/33935487

Her book that deals with the problems “Fact vs. Folklore” is available here
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Get-Rid-Boa...=1368771245&sr=1-2&keywords=Fact+vs.+Folklore and elsewhere. This is very detailed and covers much of the American law on the matter, but it also contains the scientific knowledge required to deal with the problems that arise with small boat sanitation and their holding tanks.

Unfortunately she only comments of this forum infrequently these days.