Winterizing your Vacuum Toilet

Winterize your boat while you still have time.

As the signs that winter is approaching are already beginning to be noticed, it is time to think about winterizing the systems that are on board our boat. While we are saddened by the end of the sailing season, carrying out proper wintering will allow us to be prepared to return to the water as soon as summer returns. By carrying out some simple maintenance tasks on the toilets and tanks, we will avoid finding a smelly boat when we return and a long and expensive pre-season preparation.

CLEAN

To ensure years of use with the fewest possible problems, a deep cleaning at the end of the season should always be a must. For example, a buildup of mineral deposits may have developed under the rim of the cup's rubber gasket. To clean it, always disconnect both the power supply and the water supply. By opening the plastic ball and using a non-abrasive cleaner (see our special products section on http://www.dahlberg-sa.com/product-category/papel-wc-y-limpiadores/ ), we will rub underneath and around the joint. Next we will use a brush and water to clean the loose deposits. Remember not to use products with caustic components, as they can cause irreparable damage to the rubber seals.

If the toilet is not going to be used for an extended period of time, we will need to clean the sanitation hoses. To do this, fill the cup with water and add 120 ml. (4 oz) of bleach-free biodegradable detergent. Then open the dial and let the water run for approximately two minutes. Close the plastic ball and turn off the water supply to the toilet, allowing the vacuum pump to close. Repeat the process three times. This way we will be able to reduce the amount of stagnant water in the sanitation hoses.

The next step will depend on the place to store our boat during the winter. To always avoid the development of bad odors: we will drain the bathroom, the discharge hoses and the storage tank. And if the systems are also going to be subject to freezing temperatures, they must be protected to withstand them. We will see how to do it later.

DRAIN

First things first: empty the tank. It may be obvious but it is something that is often forgotten and it is not pleasant to return to the boat after a long winter and find it full of disgusting odors coming from the wastewater tank. We will avoid trauma by thoroughly cleaning the sanitation system with fresh water and ensuring complete drainage of the system, below the waterline, before turning off the water supply. If you have a Vacuflush pedal toilet, you will need to remove the water supply line from the water valve in order to drain it.

Be careful not to remove the plastic plug at the bottom of the water valve, as it can cause leaks if left in place incorrectly.

PROTECT

If we need to use antifreeze in the sanitation system during the wintering process, we must perform the following steps, after draining the system. First, we will empty the drinking water tank and add special antifreeze for fresh water. The next thing will be to rinse the toilet and the waste tank with special antifreeze for drinking water. As each installation is different, quantities may vary, we will follow the instructions given by the manufacturer to ensure adequate protection.

WATERTIGHTNESS

During the winter we must check that all the clamps and joints are correctly tightened, to avoid any possible leak. And we will ensure that all cable connections are correct when installing the vacuum pump.

For Vacuflush owners, Sealand / Dometic offers a wide network of service distributors around the world, who will provide you with the necessary help to properly winterize your boat or when you decide to return it to the water. But it will not be necessary to do so, our goal is to produce a high quality product that does not require technical service, while your sanitation system does not have any problems, as long as you ensure its conservation through careful maintenance.