Plugged pipes

[4ears]

My heads sanitation lines are plugged to the tank. I have tried unsuccefully to get thru either one with a snake. I replaced the forward head line and now have the problem with an aft head. Is there a better snake for poly hose?
Is there any kind of high pressure snake or chemicals I can use. I'm really frustrated and cant figure it out. as far as I can see I have no 90 degrees or anything that would stop a snake from working. Very strange.
Thanks
4EARS:

[sy_gilana]

We use waterpump pliers to squeeze the lines to crack the cement.
Best is to remove the hose completely and whack it on something hard.
Wear a helmet, overall, gloves, diving mask, and better still a Burkha!

[S/V Antares]

It is a common problem where the hose gets restricted by calcium deposits. The restricted hoses then are prone to blockage . Take the hose out and beat it on the dock and you will see a remarkable amount of 'Salt" like chrystiline substance break up and come out of the hose. You can spens a lot of time beating the hose or use chemicals. Not a good idea to do it while in the water. Hoses will neck down to .5 in (13mm). it is very frustrating but you can prevail with a bit of due dilligenge.


I use a mild (10% solution) of muriatic acid to clean up any y-valves or head parts. Soak them in a plastic bucket.

[4ears]

Thanks
I'll give it a try if I can get the line out.
Its very difficult to get out, behind a bath tub and thru a bulkhead

[peghall]

A snake can't get through a solid buildup of sea water calcium carbonates...you need ot dissolve it. Some people advocate removing the hoses and beating the bejabbers out of 'em on the dock to break up and remove the buildup...if you're gonna go to all the trouble to remove 'em and put em back, replace 'em!

A 12% solution of muriatic acid should dissolve it...flush it down the toilet...go away for an hour, then try a bucket of water. It may take more than one application to dissolve it all.

Once you've opened up the line, now you want to prevent future buildup. That's easy: flush a cupful--two at most--of undiluted distilled white vinegar ALL the way through the system once a week. Wait an hour, then flush a quart of water through.
Also flush a quart of clean fresh water once a day to rinse out the hose.

[Dhillen]

I would recommend changing out all your hoses - inflow and outflow on the heads. We do this every few years and never have had a hose clogging problem. This way you ensure a "sweet" head with no smells leaking out from old hose too.

We also once a week flush a little cooking oil and vinegar through the system to help everything stay in working order and to break down those crystals that build up over time.

This job is top of my list this summer. Can't wait......

Dhillen

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, 4Ears.

As always, Peggie offers good advice.

[4ears]

Thanks to all,
I'll try the acid solution and then be more diligent about keeping them clear.
The brackish, pretty nasty water coming in from the lower Hudson River was bound to be my undoing. It has certainly tested my olfactory.

[dirkdig]

Vinegar works great to dissolve the build up and fresh water flush when leaving he boat for any amount of time helps to,thatvway salt water is not sitting in there.
We have 4 heads to deal with so its neverending,changed a few hoses too.

[bstreep]

As Peg says, if you have to take them out, go ahead and replace them.