Toilet to holding tank hose

[Momac]

Hi
The hose from the Jabsco electric toilet to the black water holding tank needs replacing. T

Why
Is it because its a bit smelly?

 

[Bouba]

Why
Is it because its a bit smelly?

Smelly yes
But this morning the toilet wouldn’t drain…I opened it up and there was plaque from the inside of the hose that had broken off and blocked the hose. Changing it is now urgent…it has to be done before we go out on the boat again.
I have edited what was the most disgusting scene in the bathroom this morning

 

[Momac]

I would have suggested remove the pipe at the lower end , insert a bung and hose clip and fill the pipe with white vinegar or maybe something stronger and leave it for a few days. But I assume that's not an option.

 

[Jerbro]

This is probably true of my boat since it is also a Beneteau
The connection to the tank should tell me if the pipe had increased in size !..,,bloody boat builders

Smelly yes
But this morning the toilet wouldn’t drain…I opened it up and there was plaque from the inside of the hose that had broken off and blocked the hose. Changing it is now urgent…it has to be done before we go out on the boat again.
I have edited what was the most disgusting scene in the bathroom this morning

An overnight soak with white vinegar could be a temporary solution until you can get the pipe out…

 

[prinex]

In the Primatist I had the same issue, a hose was clogged (urine rocks) and inaccessible for the same reason. I tried barnacle buster (a chemical), sticking down a wire to clean it etc but the clog was so hard nothing could be done.

I ended up cutting a round inspection hole in the cabin so I could at least reach the clogged spot, then used a big plumber wrench to "squeeze" the hose and break the clog. I assume you could do the same (inspection hole) so at least you can "help" the new hose to get in place.

 

[ss2016]

Does regular use of brick cleaner / Cementone etc prevent this from ever happening? Is it too late even now? It's very much stronger than vinegar.

 

[Bouba]

I have recently used a combination of vinegar and acid…twice in fact. That maybe the reason that the plaque is breaking off and blocking the pipe

 

[Bouba]

Ok…I woke up with a bit of energy so decided to have a bit of a root around.
The bad news is that it is cable tied to other pipes and electric wires….so brute force could see a lot of collateral damage.
The other bad news is that I was hoping for better access from the tank end….unfortunately there is a bulkhead exactly at the edge of the tank, this blocks any access forward towards the toilet

 

[Bouba]

I have also been examining the vanity unit under the sink….if the back of it could be removed it would give me access to a few feet of hose run.
I might end up do a feasibility study of this

 

[Bouba]

The good news is that it appears that the hose is the same diameter all the way from toilet to tank. Obviously I will have to double check this when I get back to my home port

 

[Alicatt]

I would have suggested remove the pipe at the lower end , insert a bung and hose clip and fill the pipe with white vinegar or maybe something stronger and leave it for a few days. But I assume that's not an option.

I had to do this for the aft cabin toilet, a Jabsco manual pump flush, after two weeks of having vinegar in it, the blockage came free. There are no holding tanks on the boat and the exit of the heads seacock is just behind the starboard propeller, the water intake is only a few feet forward of the outlet, so don't use the heads when going astern.

 

[Bouba]

My next step is to follow Jerbro’s advice and go on the Swift Trawler forum…..can’t believe I haven’t done this sooner …oh that’s right…Jerbro said that they want money

 

[ss2016]

Personally, before you dissemble the boat I would tip lots of brick cleaner down. I would not waste my time with vinegar. What have you got to lose?

 

[Momac]

I always think its wise to start with less aggressive chemicals like vinegar which has already been tried without much success by the sound of it .
Maybe its time for some more aggressive acid. Avoiding the acid entering the holding tank would be a sound plan. Obviously keep plenty of ventilation open .

 

[Boathook]

Ok…I woke up with a bit of energy so decided to have a bit of a root around.
The bad news is that it is cable tied to other pipes and electric wires….so brute force could see a lot of collateral damage.
The other bad news is that I was hoping for better access from the tank end….unfortunately there is a bulkhead exactly at the edge of the tank, this blocks any access forward towards the toilet

Does the bulkhead restrict access to the hose clips on the tank that will require removal if you want to replace the hose ?

 

[Hurricane]

Personally, before you dissemble the boat I would tip lots of brick cleaner down. I would not waste my time with vinegar. What have you got to lose?

You probably don't want to build the pressure up in the holding tank - I know it is probably vented but have you seen the amount of foam that is produced when you pour acid down the toilet? Don't ask me how I know.

I suggest that Bouba cuts new access hatches and replaces that pipe in sections. And don't replace with that awful plastic pipe - use the butyl rubber pipe that is mentioned in this thread. I know he won't take this advice because the butyl rubber is more expensive and harder to source. Butyl rubber pipe doesn't suffer from smells and going hard.

Eventually after working with our old vacuum toilets for years, I took JFM's advice and changed the lot. Pipes changed to butyl rubber and Planus (Tecma quality) toilets fitted. You can't under estimate what a difference this makes to the boat. I would never consider a Jabsco toilet either.

 

[ss2016]

I always think its wise to start with less aggressive chemicals like vinegar which has already been tried without much success by the sound of it .
Maybe its time for some more aggressive acid. Avoiding the acid entering the holding tank would be a sound plan. Obviously keep plenty of ventilation open .

It sounds as though there is plenty of calcium to react with the acid. If there isn't the blockage will be gone. Besides there is presumably plenty of something in the tank for the acid to react with. If not put some water in. I am assuming the tank is S/S.

2HCl + Ca -> CaCl2 + H2
CaCl2 is highly soluble in water (The brick acid is well diluted)

 

[Bouba]

You probably don't want to build the pressure up in the holding tank - I know it is probably vented but have you seen the amount of foam that is produced when you pour acid down the toilet? Don't ask me how I know.

I suggest that Bouba cuts new access hatches and replaces that pipe in sections. And don't replace with that awful plastic pipe - use the butyl rubber pipe that is mentioned in this thread. I know he won't take this advice because the butyl rubber is more expensive and harder to source. Butyl rubber pipe doesn't suffer from smells and going hard.

Eventually after working with our old vacuum toilets for years, I took JFM's advice and changed the lot. Pipes changed to butyl rubber and Planus (Tecma quality) toilets fitted. You can't under estimate what a difference this makes to the boat. I would never consider a Jabsco toilet either.

Oh dear…the wife said I could have a Tecma toilet if I take the boat to the professionals to change the hose…she knows I can no longer contort myself into awkward positions
Still…. I am a man…and I will prove it to her that I am up for the job

 

[Bouba]

Does the bulkhead restrict access to the hose clips on the tank that will require removal if you want to replace the hose ?

No…I can change the hose fitting alright…I just can not see past the first two inches without a camera on a stick

 

[Bouba]

I have used aggressive acid/strong vinegar mix twice now…including letting it soak for nearly a week