Great Vacuflush "Tool"

[Gofirstclass]

We have two Vacuflush toilets on the boat. The one in the master head got plugged last week and wouldn't flush. The toilet in the second head worked fine.

I dug out the Vacuflush manual and it didn't specifically address the problem where one flushes and the other doesn't, but I knew the problem was not in the "downstream" end of the system, i.e., the vacuum generator.

That meant the clog was most likely at the 1" orifice at the bottom of the base. The problem was that area of the toilet was filled with not-so-clean water, if you get my drift. I had used a plastic cup to empty the bowl down as far as the ball seal, but how was I supposed to empty the rest of the toilet? This is the area I'm talking about....

I thought about using a shop vac but didn't want to mess with getting it to the boat and cleaning it afterward. Then I had one of those A-HA moments. I needed to have something to suck the water out of that part of the toilet and I came up with this "tool"......

It worked great. In less than a minute I was able to remove all the water from that area and put it into a bucket which I later dumped down the toilet after unclogging it. I found the problem was a large wad of toilet paper that had plugged that 1" orifice.

Feel free to use this idea. I don't think I'll apply for a patent for it.

 

[wyrman]

Thank you Mike. I had a clog in the same part of my toilet boat race weekend.
I ended up useing the pump out station hose to pump out the mess thinking it would be easier to find the problem and by doing that it sucked out the clog.
I felt relieved and very lucky.
Is that just a water cannon squirt gun?

 

[NorCal Boater]

You guys need to adopt my rule.... Only 4 squares of tissue allowed between flushes. I would much rather fill the water tank than clear a clog. BTW My wife, 2 daughters and granddaughter hate me.

 

[wyrman]

I had family from Arizona in town NorCal Boater and I didn't think to say anything. My boat is still pretty new to me and I'm learning.
I will remember from now on though because that's really not something I want to deal with again.

 

[Nash]

Great tip, I'm sure I'm going to need it! My sister-in-law secretly flushed a tampon last weekend even after we went over the rules of using the head. My marine mech said most of the time with the vacuflush the items will make to the holding tank and then can be pumped out. Hope he's right.

 

[wetpaint]

I was sailing (I know) this weekend and they had a "no toilet paper" rule.....Had to wipe, then put in bag.......At first it was weird, but got use to it....

PS..Is that a flare gun?

 

[Gofirstclass]

Nope, no flare gun. It's one of those squirt guns where you stick the nozzle in the water and draw the handle back to suck in water, then push the handle forward to squirt it. The darn thing worked like a champ. I told GW if she plugged it again she was going to have to unplug it herself. I think she'll adopt the "4-sheets" rule on her own.

Wyrman, we're going to be down at the Mudhole this weekend, probably starting Friday afternoon some time. If you're down that way, stop by and say hello.

 

[HUMPH]

How did you clean it after sucking toilet water out?

 

[wyrman]

MIke,
Is that down by Columbia Point? We're headed to Roosevelt Sunday for a week but may go out Saturday, we're deciding that today. Thinking of boating to Anthonys for dinner, it's my B-day that day.
Let me know where that's at and if we go out we'll stop by.

One more thing, it's probably not a good idea to use that squirt gun for future water gun fights. :huh:

 

[Summer Fun II]

We use RV toilet paper. :smt001. It dissolves pretty fast when it gets wet.

 

[douglee25]

I carry latex gloves along with plastic bags for those identical moments. Insert your hand into the glove, then put the bag over your entire hand/arm. Wrap it tight and go diggin'!

Doug

 

[spikedaddy99]

Just threaten to squirt whoever blocks it with the gun. I bet they will all air dry from now on! :smt043

 

[moparlvr4406]

How did you clean it after sucking toilet water out?

DON'T CLEAN IT !!
use it on the "too close" jet ski people

 

[Gofirstclass]

I sucked up a bunch of river water and squirted it, then brought it home and ran a bucket full of water with bleach in it to disinfect it. I'm sure it's clean by now.

wyrman, you've got a PM.

 

[sbw1]

First thing to try with a vacuflush head blockage is a coat hanger. Just gently push a straightened hanger down the toilet and most of the time the paper will dislodge and get sucked all the way to the holding tank. The blockage usually occurs at that junction.