Plugging up: Marine toilets use very little water and clogging up is a very common problem. The pumps, valves and impellers just can’t handle solids, as was part of the problem we had. Be sure to use Marine/RV toilet paper and never put anything down the toilet that hasn’t passed through the human body.

Never try to use a drain cleaner to clear a plugged toilet. The parts are very sensitive and you can cause a great deal of damage. You can try adding warm water to the bowl and leave it for the day or overnight the solids may break down enough to pump out later.

If your system is still not working properly or if you would like us to install a new one, Call or email us today!


Marine Sanitation Problems

Odors: The most common source is a leak. Here are the less common sources and other common issues.

The permeable hose. Take a rag and rub it over the hose and then give it the ’sniff’ test. If the rag stinks, then the hose is permeable and needs to be replace with the correct hose.

The vent is clogged on the holding tank. This is something that usually happens when you over fill the holding tank. It pushes the solids up to the vent. Whenever possible, we back flush the vent when doing a pump out.

The discharge valve is defective. This can result in raw sewage backing into the toilet bowl. You may not know it as the water in the bowl may look fine. But bacteria will cause the bowl to stain quickly.

Your O-ring is worn or maybe the piston rings on a manual toilet if there a double-acting piston. This could let sewage work into the flushing side of the pump. You probably need to rebuilt the pump.

Marine life could be living in your flushing water. If you’ve a ‘rotten egg’ smell, then this maybe your problem. Consider installing a raw water strainer on the suction line seacock. Check it often as you may need to clean it out.

There could be a low spot in the vent line. Which can collect liquid, like the trap on a sink drain.