Poo pipes blocked

[All-at-sea]

I guess it's an old chestnut but due to the damn virus I haven't been able to get out to my boat (abroad) for about 16 months! Just got here and both heads are blocked... Fwd manual Jabsco won't take water in and the aft electric is the reverse. I guess it a case of marine growth in the hull fittings. Q. Short of diving on the fittings with a hook wire, is there an easier way to unblock them. I've worked the seacocks (and one intake handle snapped off due to corrosion) and don't want to wrestle with the valves whilst still in the water.
C-Kip 380

 

[Comodave]

I would haul the boat and either replace the through hull or get the handle repaired. Leaving it like that could sink the boat if a hose comes off, I know it isn’t likely but what if?

 

[All-at-sea]

I intend to have her hauled out but will have to wait a couple of months till my next visit. All in the planning ahead. The immediate issue is the clogged pipes

 

[mvweebles]

I had a plugged 1" discharge line - at the thru-hull. I don't recall why I was unable to disassemble the hose and use a screwdriver or something, but I hose-clamped a garden hose to the discharge hose and turned on the hose. After about 45-seconds of pressure, there was a loud pop/bang and the obstruction was gone. It's one of the many reasons I now have a compost head.

Peter

 

[HeadMistress]

Your boat has been sitting for 16 months with the toilet thru-hulls open????



If so, the clogs are highly likely to be the remains of animal sea life that's tried to explore the plumbing, gotten trapped and died, anywhere in the hoses. Nothing preventing small crustaceans from setting up housekeeping in an open "pathway" either. Or, it could just be sea water mineral buildup in those hoses...water rises in hoses to the boat's waterline.


--Peggie

 

[Comodave]

The problem with trying to deal with it while it is in the water is that the stuff in the through hull and hose is probably pretty hard now. You would have to take the hose off the head and try to back flush it like suggested above, however since the shutoff handle has broken off that is somewhat risky. But if that is what you need to do have something to plug the through hull close by in case you actually are able to flush out what is in it. Because it will start flowing quickly if you clear it. I would just buy new hose before you start and install new hose at the same time. Good luck, an also make sure your bilge pumps are working before you start.

 

[Simi 60]

Just get over the side with a screwdriver and clean it out
Stop being a wimp. (-;

 

[koliver]

Your boat has been sitting for 16 months with the toilet thru-hulls open????



If so, the clogs are highly likely to be the remains of animal sea life that's tried to explore the plumbing, gotten trapped and died, anywhere in the hoses. Nothing preventing small crustaceans from setting up housekeeping in an open "pathway" either. Or, it could just be sea water mineral buildup in those hoses...water rises in hoses to the boat's waterline.


--Peggie

Oyster shells are most difficult to remove.

 

[sailormike]

you need to bite the bullet and jump over the side and clean out the thru hulls. replace that broken one asap before you have a wose off issue or sink the boat.