How to Repair your Marine Toilet

Most problems with marine toilets stem from a lack of basic maintenance, or attempting to flush bulky foreign materials through the system. Keeping an eye on the common problems listed below will help keep the system running reliably.

Water Leak

Leaks next to the pump handle on popular Jabsco and Raritan models are common in a unit that has not been maintained for some time. 

The good news is that the water leaking here is seawater used for cleaning - so you don't have to worry about it posing a serious health risk. It's also usually easy to fix - the problem is almost always a worn or worn seal around the rod to which the pump handle is attached. Simply loosen the large plastic nut on the top of the pump to reveal the old seal – it usually takes 10 minutes to replace.

How to Repair your Marine Toilet

Calcification

One of the most difficult problems to diagnose is the outlet tubes becoming gradually clogged with calcium deposits. Because this problem emerges slowly, it is very easy to fail to detect early signs of poor performance - you tend to slowly adapt to the new standard, until the system fails because the pipes are severely restricted.

Regular cleaning with a mild acid such as vinegar (which is also a mild antiseptic) may help slow the buildup, although this will not remove it by any means. The photo shows a five-year-old vertical port of a tank (black) in which the cross-sectional area has been reduced by approximately 50 percent.

Joker Valves

The valves at the pump outlet are also susceptible to contamination with calcium deposits, which will eventually impair its operation to the point where the pump will no longer function properly. The classic symptom of this is that it seems difficult (or impossible) to rinse out the contents of the bowl – if the joker valve fails to close, as well as sucking clean seawater into the pump, it will also tend to leak. Draw in the contents of the waste pipe.

In addition, as a pump ages, the rubber components become more brittle. The photo above is a damaged joker valve from a little used (but 30 year old) pump. Service kits provided for all pumps contain replacement parts for all of these components, including the joker valve.

Smells

These may originate from one of two sources – the smell of sewage may mean that the drain hoses are not of the proper sanitary grade. The importance of this cannot be overstated – if a regular reinforced plastic hose is used, the odors from inside will eventually travel outside and into the cabin.

Of course, there's a second possible reason for sewage odors in your boat: a leak from the outlet side of the system. It is a good idea to check each plumbing connection with a dry cloth, as this will help identify leaks that may be too small to detect with the naked eye.

The second type of smell that can be experienced is the smell of hydrogen sulfide, which has a characteristic smell of rotten eggs. It is the result of the bacterial decomposition of organic matter in a (relatively) oxygen-free environment – exactly the conditions that can be found in the inlet pipe of many ports. This water contains all the life causing pollution at the bottom of the structure, which if left too long will grow and multiply, until the water in the pipe runs out of oxygen and everything dies.

Blockages

This is one of every boat owner's worst nightmares, but if the system is used properly and well maintained, this will not be a problem you will ever need to face. If you have to address the clog, don't be tempted to use unnecessary force to push the clog through the system - that's a recipe for bigger problems. On the other hand, patience can be beneficial, as over time, some obstacles will become more resilient and pass through the system more easily.

If the clog doesn't move, the only solution is likely to be to disassemble the pump. If you've already done this as part of a routine service, you'll know the procedure and it should be a quick, if not very enjoyable, job. However, clearing a blockage is not the best time to check the inner workings of the pump.

If you are planning other repairs, take a look at the comprehensive list of boat maintenance tips on boats.com. More specific tips for winter boat maintenance jobs are also provided, as are diesel engine tips for trouble-free power.


Related Articles:


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Complete Guide to Finding the Best Fish Finder Around

Image
Having the right equipment before going fishing is always an integral part for a wide range of reasons. Of course, the most obvious thing is that you don't want to lose a fish just because of your poor gear, but there are other risks involved in fishing without the right gear. Some even impact your safety. There is simply a lot of equipment and tools to take into consideration before going fishing, but it is all up to the type of angler you are. You should keep in mind that a fly angler will not have the same handling as someone targeting bass. What to look for when choosing the Best Fish Finder Some aspects are more integral than others when choosing the best fish finder, and you may not be aware of them if this is the first time you are purchasing one of these products. In this part of our guide, we'll briefly look at some of these aspects, from portability to the maps available for download. Portability The only thing you need to consider is whether your fish finder is...
Read more

Choosing a Trailer Winch: Beginner’s Guide

Image
Manual or electric? Single speed or two speed? This post covers these options and more. Trailer winches allow you to pull your boat onto the trailer while it is on an inclined launch ramp. Winches mount to a custom winch mount on the trailer tongue, bow stop bracket, or trailer hitch ball using an adapter plate. The reel or pulley holds a cable, rope, or strap 20-50 feet long, and has a clip at the bitter end. By attaching the clamp to the bow eye of the boat, the winch operator can either slide the boat onto the trailer or allow the boat to slide backwards into the water at a controlled rate. We'll walk you through common considerations to find the one that suits you best.          Manual winches for trailer         The environment of your boat          Winch weight capabilities          Single-speed or two-speed levers          Winch straps       ...
Read more

Trim Tabs vs. Interceptors: What's the Difference for My Boat?

Image
  If you've ever owned or operated a powerboat, you're probably familiar with the trim tabs used to raise the boat's keel up, and push the bow down to help the boat plane and ride comfortably. However, in the past five to 10 years, manufacturers such as Zipwake, Humphree and Volvo QL, among others, have introduced interceptors to help better control powerboat rigging and roll. Both systems have pros and cons, so which is best for your boat? What is an Interceptor? In the boating world, a transom is usually a small vertical plate that is placed on the lower edge of the boat's stern or transom. The board creates additional lifting pressure under the boat, and in the event of mechanical objections, the board can be extended or retracted as needed to increase or decrease the amount of lift. If you don't know how trim tabs work, click here ! What do Tabs and Intercepts have in Common? Boat trim tab is the fore-aft position of the boat body at different speeds. The prim...
Read more