Toilets !!!

[johnf]

I have just taken home the working of my 15 month old deluxe quiet electric flush Jabsco toilet, In this short period there has been a significant build up of limescale and some appears to have damaged the ceramic seal and I am negotiating with Jabsco for the new seal. Any way I wonder if part of the probelm is that we leave the yacht for periods of up to 6 weeks at a time and I suppose the limescale just settles as the water is undisturbed. Any thoughts on putting a litre or so of vinegar down the loo before leaving it- would it damage the seals??

 

[No Regrets]

Chuck some Lemon juice down, it's the best thing, and harmless, or even descaler (Weak)

 

[VicS]

Peggie Hall's recommendation was to flush a cup of white vinegar through to prevent scale build up but there are some reservations about the effect on seals. In the absence of any expert advice perhaps it would be better to limit the length of time it remains in the toilet. Don't leave it in there for 6 weeks at a time, a few hours perhaps then flush it out again.

Part of the problem is that bacterial action on urea (from urine) produces ammonia which raises the pH which in turn leads to limescale deposition. So the more thoroughly the last load of pee is flushed away the better.

I must admit it was a bit of a surprise to be told that vinegar can damage the seals. Depends what they are I suppose.

 

[Skyva_2]

You could also flush a few bowls of salt water then fresh water through before leaving the boat. The scale forms by reaction of urine with salt water, so the more you flush the complete system the better.

 

[alan]

We also always perform the last flush through with fresh water. Fortunately our shower head with flexy pipe will reach the toilet.
About once a month I give it a clean with white vinegar (as per Peggy's recs) if I remember!!

Fresh water seems to help a lot as I find much less scale when I strip the pump down for maintenance.

Alan.

 

[catseven]

Jabsco introduced a toilet cleaner earlier this year.

It claims to reduce limescale etc without harming any of the seals etc. It costs about £6.50 and is useable on a daily basis to keep the toilet clean. If I remeber rightly (I have some on my boat - but it's 60 miles away so can't check right now!) you usually flush the toilet, spray the cleaner around the bowl, leave it for 5 minutes then flush again. The maximum recommended time is, I believe, 36 hours for limescale removal. It's non acidic so should not affect stainless steel parts.

Also when I flush the toilet after I use I pump at least 20 times or more to ensure all the waste is well diluted and pumped right through the system. As other posters have said a last flush with fresh water before leaving the boat is a good idea (and one that I will adopt from now on!)

catseven