How do you take care of a marine toilet?

Marine Toilet Maintenance
  1. Cleaning the Lines. Heads flushed with salt water accumulate scale deposits in the discharge channels and hoses. ...
  2. Lubricating. To keep the pump operating smoothly, follow your monthly vinegar flush with a dose of oil. ...
  3. Odor. Marine toilets need not stink, but they often do. ...
  4. Overhaul.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boatus.com


How do you lubricate a marine toilet?

The best choice is a lubricant intended for marine toilets, but you can also use mineral oil. The usual treatment is to let a little water into the bowl, pour in a couple of ounces of lube, and pump this through the toilet.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on raritaneng.com


How do I stop my marine toilet from smelling?

Adding a vented loop in the discharge hose will allow a stand of water to exist in the section of hose from the toilet to the vented loop. This also ensures that a certain amount of water remains in the bowl after each flush.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on raritaneng.com


Can you put bleach in a marine toilet?

Not only is bleach damaging to the toilet, but you don't want it in the holding tank either...and it's as destructive to hoses as it is to the rubber parts in toilets and other pumps. In fact, bleach has no place ANYwhere on a boat except in the annual recommissioning of the fresh water system.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forums.sailboatowners.com


Can you flush toilet paper down a marine toilet?

Never flush anything that didn't come out of you.

This one's pretty easy. Hopefully you already know that the only thing that should go down your marine head is human waste and toilet paper — with no exceptions.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boattrader.com


BOAT LIFE: Eliminating Marine Toilet Odors



Can I use regular toilet paper in a boat toilet?

A 1-ply toilet paper will break down much easier and is best in recreational vehicles and boats. It isn't as soft or thick as household toilet paper, but it is much friendlier to your holding tank. In particular, biodegradable toilet paper which dissolves faster, requiring less water than standard toilet paper.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on waggonerguide.com


Is marine toilet paper necessary?

Despite this fact, many people wonder whether or not it is really necessary to use RV toilet paper. The truth is yes. Yes, you do indeed need to use RV toilet paper. If you don't have RV toilet paper, you shouldn't flush it down into your RV's sewage system.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blog.campingworld.com


Why does my boat smell like sewer?

The most common sources of odor inside the boat are permeated sanitation hoses and/or wet dirty bilges and/or sumps...they can make a whole boat smell like a swamp or even a sewer. The solution: clean 'em. But do NOT use bleach!
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forums.sailboatowners.com


How do you disinfect a toilet tank?

Without draining out the water, pour white vinegar into the tank, stopping at least an inch below the top rim. Let the vinegar-water solution sit for 12 hours to dissolve mineral deposits, rust, and mildew. Flush the toilet a couple of times to remove the vinegar from the tank.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thisoldhouse.com


How do you clean a smelly bilge?

Heat, moisture and a lack of constant fresh airflow all contribute to the nasty playground for unusual and long-lasting stinks. The key to a clean bilge is a dry bilge, and an easy way to achieve it is by using a wet vacuum to remove any standing water before you start a thorough sprucing up.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on passagemaker.com


How much water does a marine toilet use?

Water usage for marine toilets can generally range from 0.4 liters to 3.5 liters per use, depending on the model and the complexity of the system. The most economical marine toilets are simple cassette toilets and VacuFlush systems. Alternatively, compostable and incineration toilets use zero water to process waste.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on improvesailing.com


How do marine toilets work?

The main feature of a boat's toilet is that it flushes directly into the water. As it is below the boat's surface, there's a hole in the hull through which its contents have to be pumped out. This operation may be a little scary the first time, but it is not difficult at all.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sailogy.com


What is a joker valve on a marine toilet?

The joker valve is a small one-way valve that lets water and (other stuff) pass through it. The unique shape keeps any of that material from coming back the opposite way through the opening. They have the nickname of duckbill valve because many of them are the shape of a ducks bill.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on svdreamchaser.com


Why do marine toilets smell?

Marine toilets need not stink, but they often do. The discharge hose is, by far, the most common culprit. To check yours, rub the hose with a damp, clean cloth, then sniff the cloth.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boatus.com


What is marine head lube?

Formulated to keep marine and RV heads functioning smoothly.

This eco-friendly head lube is made from bio-renewable ingredients using no petroleum distillates. Cleans and lubricates plungers and gaskets and conditions leather flappers for quiet, reliable operation.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on westmarine.com


How do you lubricate a jabsco marine toilet?

To lubricate throughout you need to get some oil into the suction pipe. Take the pipe off the seacock and dip it into a container of water plus oil, pump through. The effects will last much longer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on forums.ybw.com


Is it OK to put bleach in toilet tank?

"The biggest don't when it comes to toilet tanks is bleach—do not use bleach or products containing bleach inside the tank, as it can corrode the internal parts of your toilet. If you are aiming to remove tough stains from the tank, I also recommend white vinegar diluted with water."
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on marthastewart.com


Is it safe to put vinegar in toilet tank?

Vinegar will not harm your toilet's tank, bowl or inner components. The substance is safe to use and removes dirt, grime and mineral stains, and it deodorizes toilets without the need for purchasing and using a commercial toilet cleaner. Fill a spray bottle with full strength vinegar.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hunker.com


What happens when you put vinegar in your toilet?

Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on home.howstuffworks.com


How do I keep my boat cabin smelling fresh?

Add a small amount (approximately 1/8-cup) of mild household disinfectant/cleaner, such as a shower cleaner, to all drains, sumps, and air conditioning condensate pans. If the refrigerator and freezer are turned off, give each compartment a quick spray of the cleaner. It's also a good idea to leave the door ajar.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boatus.com


How do I clean my marine water tank?

Measure 1 teaspoon/gallon of household bleach (aluminum) or vinegar (plastic) into the tank and add fresh water until it's full. Let it sit for 24 hours to sterilize, then drain the water. Fill with fresh water and drain repeatedly until all the bleach/vinegar odor is gone.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on improvesailing.com


Can you leave the black tank open?

Leaving a black tank valve open is an absolute no-no. It will cause all the liquid to flow out, leaving the solids no way of draining. Always make sure the valve on your black tank is closed completely after dumping. When you've ensured the valve is shut, pull the grey tank valve.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on campanda.com


Should you poop in your RV?

RV toilets are designed to handle all human waste, including your poop. If you are properly maintaining your black tank and RV toilet, plus using plenty of fresh water when flushing, you will be able to poop in your RV without experiencing clogs or smells.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on togorv.com


How do you fold toilet paper into a boat?

Toilet Paper Origami Boat
  1. Lift up approximately one and a half “squares” of toilet paper. ...
  2. Lower the toilet paper back onto the roll.
  3. Fold in the left and right edges a little. ...
  4. Valley fold the bottom part of the toilet paper up so you have a triangle.
  5. Roll the toilet paper down a little so the triangle is centered.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on origami-resource-center.com
Previous question
Why do chickens fall backwards?