Real crappy smell from the drain in the bathroom and sink!

[WahooUSMA]

The smell in the bathroom sink and kitchen sink smell like sewer most of the time! Are there filters that need cleaning or should I put holding tank deodorizer down the drain???

 

[mwph]

I would think your sink drains drain directly overboard. Worst case would they drain to a sump box which could be the root of the stench. Either way a holding tank deodorizer is not the way to go.

If it were me, I'd confirm where it drains to. If overboard, I would (and have) remove the entire drain line and thoroughly clean it. You can also verify that the drain line hasn't been tapped into to serve as a drain for something else or worse, a vent for another drain line.

 

[WahooUSMA]

I would think your sink drains drain directly overboard. Worst case would they drain to a sump box which could be the root of the stench. Either way a holding tank deodorizer is not the way to go.

If it were me, I'd confirm where it drains to. If overboard, I would (and have) remove the entire drain line and thoroughly clean it. You can also verify that the drain line hasn't been tapped into to serve as a drain for something else or worse, a vent for another drain line.

They (head and galley sink) drain to a sump pump then are pumped out via bilge pump, at least I think...I ran the water for both and traced it to the sump pump. The transfer box fills and then pumps the water out....I was thinking running bleach, but just not sure.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Pour enough hot water down each drain to activate the pump a few times. Then disassemble the box and clean thoroughly. Then some more hot water with just little bit of bleach - a little bit! Let it set over night and then flush.

 

[onthejob]

No bleach. Ever. Rubber parts in there. Bleach kills rubber. Once the rubber checks valves fail the bilge pump will die shortly after. Soap only. Dawn dish soap or clothing detergent. That's all I put in my holding tank and sumps.

 

[JimFromMD]

Sounds like you have a boat that was made for a lake like mine was. There is a plastic mesh filter in the sump box that collects any solids from the galley/head sink and hair from the shower. If someone lets food go down the sink, that'll get nasty for sure. I had a well-meaning guest try to be helpful by do some dishes, but washed salsa down the sink. I usually check the sump for any nastiness at the end of the weekend, and then wash some dawn down the drain into the box with hot water. Seems to have cured any funkiness from forming while away for the week. If I'm not going to be boating for longer than that, I lift the float to pump the box dry then soak up any leftover water with a rag so that it's dry.

I had my gray water re-routed over the side through a new through-hull instead of having it go into the holding tank. The head toilet is now the only thing going into the holding tank. My boat was on Lake George which doesn't allow dumping of any water at all.

 

[WahooUSMA]

Sounds like you have a boat that was made for a lake like mine was. There is a plastic mesh filter in the sump box that collects any solids from the galley/head sink and hair from the shower. If someone lets food go down the sink, that'll get nasty for sure. I had a well-meaning guest try to be helpful by do some dishes, but washed salsa down the sink. I usually check the sump for any nastiness at the end of the weekend, and then wash some dawn down the drain into the box with hot water. Seems to have cured any funkiness from forming while away for the week. If I'm not going to be boating for longer than that, I lift the float to pump the box dry then soak up any leftover water with a rag so that it's dry.

I had my gray water re-routed over the side through a new through-hull instead of having it go into the holding tank. The head toilet is now the only thing going into the holding tank. My boat was on Lake George which doesn't allow dumping of any water at all.

Thanks Jim

 

[JimFromMD]

Thanks Jim

No problem. Not sure how long you've had the boat, but you might verify that your sinks/shower aren't getting pumped into the holding tank too. If you overfill the holding tank with gray water, it will backflow into the shower sump when the sump box pump stops pumping. Don't ask how I know, but I got lucky in that learning experience that the water was clear with blue (tank deodorizer) from fresh water pumped in vs something a lot more nasty. Like I say, they sinks/shower are now retrofitted to pump over the side from the sump box even though they aren't plumbed back to their original drainage locations.

I also try to avoid anything solid going down the galley sink now too like food scraps, seeds, corn etc.

 

[WahooUSMA]

No problem. Not sure how long you've had the boat, but you might verify that your sinks/shower aren't getting pumped into the holding tank too. If you overfill the holding tank with gray water, it will backflow into the shower sump when the sump box pump stops pumping. Don't ask how I know, but I got lucky in that learning experience that the water was clear with blue (tank deodorizer) from fresh water pumped in vs something a lot more nasty. Like I say, they sinks/shower are now retrofitted to pump over the side from the sump box even though they aren't plumbed back to their original drainage locations.

I also try to avoid anything solid going down the galley sink now too like food scraps, seeds, corn etc.

Went to the boat this morning and found out that the sink, galley and shower pan all drain into the sump pump and then are pumped out the side. I think I'll take the lid off the sump and thoroughly clean it this weekend. I did run dawn through it as well as a deodorizer from West Marine. No smell so far.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Once you've got it back to normal, a quick clean a few times a season is all you should need (depending on usage, of course). The box is a good design as it helps to keep smells from entering the cabin, but it requires some occasional maintenance. With some manufacturers, there is no "box" so everything drains into that forward bilge (basically 'open' to the cabin) and is then pumped out. In other words, the drains would go to the same place as yours currently are, but there would be no box.

 

[WahooUSMA]

Once you've got it back to normal, a quick clean a few times a season is all you should need (depending on usage, of course). The box is a good design as it helps to keep smells from entering the cabin, but it requires some occasional maintenance. With some manufacturers, there is no "box" so everything drains into that forward bilge (basically 'open' to the cabin) and is then pumped out. In other words, the drains would go to the same place as yours currently are, but there would be no box.

Thanks Dennis!

 

[RollerCoastr]

No bleach. Ever. Rubber parts in there. Bleach kills rubber. Once the rubber checks valves fail the bilge pump will die shortly after.

Hey move over - you're standing on my soapbox. :grin:

No bleach down the head either!

 

[alnav]

Hey move over - you're standing on my soapbox. :grin:

No bleach down the head either!

I second the caution about degrading rubber, but in the case of the sump box, there's also no telling what's built up in there that might adversly combine with bleach and create chlorine gas. If someone does choose to use bleach, Dennis' caution to only add it after a thorough flushing is good advice.

 

[dpmulvey]

Went to the boat this morning and found out that the sink, galley and shower pan all drain into the sump pump and then are pumped out the side. I think I'll take the lid off the sump and thoroughly clean it this weekend. I did run dawn through it as well as a deodorizer from West Marine. No smell so far.

You may want to remove it and clean it. If anything spills on the carpet or in the bilge the smell may not come out. If you want to get real adventurous, remove the pump and run the thing through the dishwasher on pots and pans cycle using Dawn Detergent as a soap. This is best tried on a bachelor weekend.

 

[mwph]

... If you want to get real adventurous, remove the pump and run the thing through the dishwasher on pots and pans cycle using Dawn Detergent as a soap. This is best tried on a bachelor weekend.

Thats funny.
However, I know a guy whos wife seldom sees the inside of the dishwasher. He could put flame arrestors in there with carb cleaner in the soap dispenser & she wouldn't know it.

 

[dpmulvey]

Thats funny.
However, I know a guy whos wife seldom sees the inside of the dishwasher. He could put flame arrestors in there with carb cleaner in the soap dispenser & she wouldn't know it.

I didn't get married until I was 33. Dishwashers work great on hubcaps!!!:smt038

 

[sbw1]

I pour a little citrus smelling bilge cleaner into the sumps once a month and let it sit over night. Never have sump issues. Clean them once a year with soapy water and dry them out prior to storage. Seems to work for us.

 

[PMC]

I know the beach topic is bad for rubber and all, but I can live with replacing parts over maintaining gunk every 3 weeks. With that said though, I have not had any problems.

I started using bleach toilet tabs in my sump, and is maintenance free. I add a tab every 2 months or so, and my sump is spotless. So far the sump has been running this way for 2 years of my ownership, and several from the previous owner (who I got the tip from). I have all original parts, and the whale valve holds perfect.

My sump is fairly active, with EVERYTHING running through it. Galley Sink, 2 Showers, 2 Head Sinks, 2 AC condensate drains

 

[Lazy Daze]

I understand the concerns about bleach vs rubber. But keep in mind that we're talking about a very small amount - maybe a capful, if that - for a short time. Just enough kill any lingering odors or mold that may be growing. In this small amount, from my real-world (mulitple boats over many, many years) experience, there will be no issues. But certainly, if someone wants to go a different direction, there's definitely nothing wrong with that. Just don't be afraid to use something as useful as bleach for no reason.

 

[The Bill Collector]

I know the beach topic is bad for rubber and all, but I can live with replacing parts over maintaining gunk every 3 weeks. With that said though, I have not had any problems.

I started using bleach toilet tabs in my sump, and is maintenance free. I add a tab every 2 months or so, and my sump is spotless. So far the sump has been running this way for 2 years of my ownership, and several from the previous owner (who I got the tip from). I have all original parts, and the whale valve holds perfect.

My sump is fairly active, with EVERYTHING running through it. Galley Sink, 2 Showers, 2 Head Sinks, 2 AC condensate drains

I have been doing the same for several years now with no adverse effects and a spotless sump box...