smelly loo

[barryg]

I have standard sea toilet no holding tank, 1 year old correct grade hose what can I do to stop the smell, every time I get down to boat there is a nasty smell what can I treat it safely with please.

 

[alec]

Just a suggestion.

This was happening to me some years ago. Seawater can give the impression that the salt will keep things fresh. The reality is that seawater is a mass of living things and when they die, if left in the heads, will produce horrible pongs pretty quick.

As a trial, before you leave the boat, pump out all contents and fill the bowl with fresh water. This cured it for me - completely.

Not saying that this is the whole answer but worth a try.

 

[Slipstream 34]

Have you got a strainer on the intake side ?
There is a certain sea grass that smells of rotten eggs in salt water. We had a similar problem last year, fitting a strainer has cured it. It is remarkable what muck is in the strainer at the end of the season.
Hope this helps.

 

[Hardley]

Had the same problem until I was given this tip;
Close inlet valve, pump as much water out as possible, put some fresh water in bowl (I use 2 kettle fulls) put one Milton tablet in bowl or one teaspoon full (the stuff used to clean baby's feeding bottles) leave for a few minutes, pump out until bowl is nearly empty and then close outlet valve, end of smells.

 

[pandos]

I have similar problem this year. What intrigues me is that I had the same boat last year with no smell. New hoses were fitted last year.

My prevevious boat also had the exact same toilet and hoses and never smelled.

I put some household disenfectant which ruined the choker valve so now I walk in, take a deep breath, flush the thing and run out. All is well after a few minutes.

It has been suggested to me that it is the improvement in the quality of the river water flowing into the tidal area that has caused this.

Will try the fresh water approach tomorrow. But me thinks the problem it is as much on the supply side as on the exit and would need fancy plumbing work to exchange fresh for sea water in inlet piping.

I have heard of some device that allows an additive to be added to the inlet near the seacock to sterilise the water but do not know from where such a device hails,

 

[l'escargot]

This is caused by the water in the inlet hose, not the toilet, tank or outlet. As others have said it is biological and as a result of micro organisms dying in the stagnant water when the stopcock is turned off.

It isn't really practical to treat unless you can drain the inlet side or fill it with fresh water. Nothing you do to the tank, bowl or outlet will stop it. The easy solution is just to pump the toilet through thoroughly as soon as you arrive on the boat and ventilate to let the smell dissipate.

 

[Csail]

Simple....get a big tub of vinegar and pump a few times before leaving the boat.

 

[shmoo]

Agree with others: its mostly likely seawater. We always have to motor the last bit up the the Deben to the tidemill and that makes a tank full of hot water. Last thing before we leave the boat I run the telephone shower thingy down the loo - fill the bowl right to the top with hot fresh water. The level of the loo is just above water level - I think this is common - so it flows out both through the inlet and outlet, since the seals are not that good. Upshot is the pipes all have fresh, hot, water in them.

Never smells if I do that. Does if I forget.

 

[KRG]

I had a similar problem and couldn't stand it any more. A suggestion from this forum cured it completely but it involves changing the plumbing a little.

I disconnected the sea water inlet to the loo and spliced it into the sink drain. To flush the loo the sink drain seacock is opened and the sink plug inserted, this allows the normal flow of water through the loo, the sink also drains in the normal manner when required.

When leaving the boat for a period of time the sink drain seacock is closed and the sink is partly filled with fresh water and a bit of fragrant stuff if you want, when the plug in the sink is removed and the loo pumped the fresh water is circulated through the loo and it stays pleasant.

It took a bit of explaining for the crew but the horrible pong is gone..not a hint of it.

Brad

 

[pheran]

[ QUOTE ]
I have heard of some device that allows an additive to be added to the inlet near the seacock to sterilise the water but do not know from where such a device hails,


[/ QUOTE ] I'm with the others here on the probable cause of your problem and with the drain/flush solution. If you still want to fit a deodouriser in the supply hose, Lee Sanitation do one

 

[kirielad]

Same solution as you to this really. We keep a 10 litre plastic can filled with tap water with a good measure of spirit vinegar added. Just close inlet, fill bowl with the mixture and close outlet when flushing before leaving.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Totally agree with you - nothing to do with water inside. And nothing practicle that you can do about it. - just flush it when you get on board.

We now hang those little toilet tag thingies pevr the edge of the bowl - gives the heads a very fresh smell.

 

[Dave99]

We have our own loo cleaner which is safe to use on all manual and auto sea toilets. Further more its biodegradable so it won't kill the fish - great and getting rid of smells and stains

 

[yerffoeg]

You need the head treatment system obtained from Lee Sanitation.

 

[Hardley]

I have heard of some device that allows an additive to be added to the inlet near the seacock to sterilise the water but do not know from where such a device hails,
I fitted one of these 2 years ago, made no difference to the smell.