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Akapeterc · 12-01-2018, 04:06

I just had to replace the outlet pipe on my toilet it was all calcified up completely blocking it anyone have any great ideas of how to keep the pipes from blocking up after a couple of years besides fresh water flushing?

ranger58sb · 12-01-2018, 04:12

Search for posts by Peggie Hall (the Head Mistress), and see especially the words "vinegar" as prophylactic or Sew Clean/Raritan C.H. as after-the-fact remedy. You would likely find her book an even more comprehensive reference.

-Chris

**boatman61** · 12-01-2018, 04:21

Use a bucket..

daletournier · 12-01-2018, 05:54

Fresh water flushing if you have the tank capacity.

Bean Counter · 12-01-2018, 06:13

Acid dissolves the calcium. Quickest is probably Muriatic, but needs caution in its use and potential harm to some toilet components. Vinegar is a lot less aggressive and what is commonly used. When head is not going to be used for a while flush with fresh water. We have used Muriatic in one head (with Raritan MSD - as recommended) and vinegar in the other - had no component failures in either.

peghall · 12-01-2018, 07:29

A cupful of distilled white vinegar flushed through the system once a week will prevent sea water buildup. Follow after about 45 minutes with a quart of clean fresh water. Do NOT leave vinegar sitting in the bowl...when soft rubber (namely the joker valve in the toilet) is left to sit and soak it vinegar it swells and distorts...making the fresh water rinse after 45- minutes or so very important!

A 12% solution of muriatic acid will dissolve it. Follow ALL directions for use and handling very carefully! May require more than one "dose" if buildup is really thick.
Sew Clean Sew Clean is a more expensive, but safer, product that works. Again...follow all directions carefully.

As with most things, prevention is easier and cheaper.

Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

SVTwilight · 12-01-2018, 08:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by peghall

A cupful of distilled white vinegar flushed through the system once a week will prevent sea water buildup. Follow after about 45 minutes with a quart of clean fresh water. Do NOT leave vinegar sitting in the bowl...when soft rubber (namely the joker valve in the toilet) is left to sit and soak it vinegar it swells and distorts...making the fresh water rinse after 45- minutes or so very important!

A 12% solution of muriatic acid will dissolve it. Follow ALL directions for use and handling very carefully! May require more than one "dose" if buildup is really thick.
Sew Clean Sew Clean is a more expensive, but safer, product that works. Again...follow all directions carefully.

As with most things, prevention is easier and cheaper.

Peggie
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't completely understand it yourself." --Albert Einstein

White vinegar allowed to slosh around for a few days at the end of the season works perfectly!

northwestsailor · 12-01-2018, 08:24

We don’t allow anything that has not gone through the digestive system to go down the toilet. We use a small covered plastic bagged receptacle next to the toilet for that. Emptied regularly there is no smell, no blocked toilets and makes everyone happy.

Chalifour · 12-01-2018, 08:35

White vinegar 7% on a bi-weekly basis, sitting for a while will do the trick.

MIRELOS · 12-01-2018, 08:36

every year I pour vinegar into the system, it's a cheap alternative and non toxic, get it at Costco cheap.

b_rodwell · 12-01-2018, 08:45

I now flush for 20 seconds if urine is involved. I have 2 heads. One is normally open and is for urine only. That is OK even in a mooring with other boats.

The other is for poos and it is normally into a holding tank. I empty this when I am offshore. I don't flush it for 20 secs.

If I detect any blockage, I fill the bowl with fresh water and then add muriatic acid bought from the supermaket.

I have not had to remove the pipes now after 2 years of liveaboard. I had the normal problems and 'shitty' solutions before that.

Brian

mindsofman · 12-01-2018, 09:02

If you notice ,its the OUT hose that blocks up
On the head, IN hose no..remedy is to make sure
Waste is COMPLETELY pumped thru the system.
Either into tank or overboard...most people DONT
Do this therefore leaving residue to clogg OUT
Hose...10 pumps dont do it ,stop being pkn lazy
And pump 20 + times..
ALSO add a tablespoon of MINERAL oil into the
Bowl a couple of times a week,,lubricates every
Thing and also forms a slippery surface on hose
Interior,,making it harder for sht to stick..
My hose is still unclogged after 12 years AND no
Smell..HAPPY PUMPING..

Lapaloma · 12-01-2018, 09:13

Peggy - does the white vinegar harm the KO in the holding tank? Thanks.

mikedefieslife · 12-01-2018, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by northwestsailor

We don’t allow anything that has not gone through the digestive system to go down the toilet. We use a small covered plastic bagged receptacle next to the toilet for that. Emptied regularly there is no smell, no blocked toilets and makes everyone happy.

That doesn't stop calcium build up.