Washdown Pump

[Charlie]

I was changing out the hose on my wash down pump When I grabbed one of the fittings the intake for the pump broke off and water started leaking into the boat. I raised the hose a few inches and it was above the non heeling waterline. This led me to think that if some how the pump brokeI would have a pretty bad leak. The pump is protected and not somewhere it could get stepped on. But should I put something like a vent loop in the system to prevent leaking. I would have to replumb quite a bit but is it important? What does the ABYC say about this,

[landonshaw]

I just put in a washdown pump and will use it occasionally. I have a ball value on the thru haul that is is connected too and have to open it to use the pump. Then if there is a leak it only leaks when I am using the pump and will notice it before it become a problem. Dave

[rustypirate]

If you put a vented loop on the suction side of the pump, then it will cause the pump to fail by sucking in the vented air. You should put a vented loop on the pressure side to prevent a syphon action from flooding the boat.

The best protection you can have to prevent leaks from the suction side of the pump is the use of a seacock on the inlet through-hull.

[Charlie]

Thanks for the ideas and info. The pump has a thru hull but it is shared with the head intake. I am reworking the PO messes and while looking at it I thought it didn't look right. I think that an additional ball valve will be the way to go so that if there is a leak in the wash down pump I can isolate it and still use the head.

[capngeo]

Ball valves or seacocks are a must on all through hulls! A vented loop in your installation would not help.... BUT a high water alarm and good bilge pump would until you could close the valve!

FWIW, When I rig a boat, I always try to cross connect my intakes (unless I can have a proper sea chest) with intervening valves, this way if one primary hose fails I don't lose water elsewhere when I close a seacock....Also, with such a set-up, if one TH clogs, I can source water from another and deal with the clog when convenient.