Slow drains....use Drano Foamer?

[fsbk366]

All of the sinks on my 260 Sundancer drain slowly. Anyone know if the Drano foaming stuff I have used in my house will damage the boat? I figured I would check just in case.

 

[trit21]

Might not damage the boat but I think you may want to make sure it is biodegradable because your sinks drain overboard so you will be putting Drano in the waterway.

 

[fsbk366]

Good point. It is on my winter to do list anyway, which is while it is out of the water in storage. Thx!

 

[Zorba]

Try using a small plunger. I keep on on board for when my wife decides it's a good idea to rinse food into the sinks. Think salsa...

IF that doesn't work try back flushing it with a hose to loosen any gunk up. Obviously you'll want someone on the sink side with an upside down bucket to prevent splashing at the sink.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Is this your first boat (with sinks)? The reason I ask is... look at the size of the drain lines. If you're comparing to your house sinks, the boat's will not drain ANYWHERE near as fast as at home. That said, just be sure to read the label and make sure it's safe for plastic. My guess is that it's probably fine, but check to be sure.

That being said, what's the condition of your sump box (filter) and do either of the sinks in the cabin go to the sump box? In my boat, the galley sink does, but the head sink goes overboard.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I don't think drain chemicals are a good idea. The sink drains are just plastic corrugated hose, smaller size but along the lines of sump pump and pool hose. Drain chemicals generate a lot of heat. I'd be concerned that they might melt the drain hose.

Henry

 

[Jetgod]

Don't use drano as it doesn't really do squat. Thru my experience,the best way to keep your drains nice and clean,boil some water in a tall pot and slowly pour a couple gallons of the boiling water directly down the drain at a pace that it does not start to gather too much in the sink. This flushes out the drain pipe very well. I do this at my boat and house every now and then just for good measure.

All of the sinks on my 260 Sundancer drain slowly. Anyone know if the Drano foaming stuff I have used in my house will damage the boat? I figured I would check just in case.

 

[fsbk366]

Is this your first boat (with sinks)? The reason I ask is... look at the size of the drain lines. If you're comparing to your house sinks, the boat's will not drain ANYWHERE near as fast as at home. That said, just be sure to read the label and make sure it's safe for plastic. My guess is that it's probably fine, but check to be sure.

That being said, what's the condition of your sump box (filter) and do either of the sinks in the cabin go to the sump box? In my boat, the galley sink does, but the head sink goes overboard.

Yes, this is my first boat with a sink I have used, but I don't think I am expecting too much. The one main sink could be full of water, yet it only trickles out of the side of the boat. I'm not expecting it to shoot out with a bunch of pressure, but it kind of just runs down the side of the boat.

All sinks drain out the side of the boat.

 

[quality time]

I'm going against the grain and saying that I used Drano foam once on my last boat and it worked great. I plugged the thru hull and let the foam sit for maybe 15 mins then flushed with hot water and the drains were nice and clean. Also did this while hauled for the winter.

 

[Carpedmman]

If all drains go directly to the outside of the hull, bring your hose into the cabin with a spray nozzle and through your cupped hand forcibly shoot water through the lines for a minute or two. This is a chemical free solution to a problem which I had frequently on my 330. Good luck!

 

[magstang1]

I just flushed out my galley sink. It drains overboard. I stuck a garden hose in the drain and turned it on full blast for about 5 minutes. That seemed to knock out what ever was in there slowing it down.

My drain pipe is easily accessible from under the counter. If I have a problem again, it's only a couple hose clamps to replace the pipe.

 

[HUMPH]

Seems as though this couldn't be too good on your gel coat? If you do it, extend a piece of hose from your thru-hull. I am more in line with the hose with sprayer as I have done before.

 

[boughtabouy]

While not the same problem, but related, here is something that worked for us to keep things clean. After a few years, we started to develop a 'rotting' smell from the galley drain. Most likely a buildup of Salsa, grease and whatever else. We visit the boat about once a month for a few days. When we leave for the month, I shut off the water heater and flush all of the hot water (which is pretty damn hot) from the water heater down the galley drain. It's just wasted otherwise, when we leave and shut everything down. This way, it's put to good use. It's easy, and it's become a ritual that seems to be working great. Once you get rid of the clog, this might help to keep things cleaner/fresher.