Winterizing Your Vacuum Toilet

Winterize your boat while you still have time.

As signs of winter approaching are beginning to creep in, it's time to think about winterizing the systems on board your boat. While we may be saddened by the end of the boating season, proper winterization will ensure we're ready to get back on the water when summer returns. By performing a few simple maintenance tasks on toilets and tanks, you can avoid returning to a smelly boat and a long, expensive pre-season preparation.

CLEAN

To ensure years of use with as few problems as possible, a thorough cleaning at the end of the season should always be a must. For example, a build-up of mineral deposits may have formed under the rim of the rubber bowl seal. 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/toilet-paper-and-cleaners/ ), we will scrub underneath and around the seal. 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, you may need to clean the toilet hoses. To do this, fill the toilet bowl with water and add 4 oz. (120 ml) of biodegradable, bleach-free detergent. Then open the ball and let the water run for about two minutes. Close the plastic ball and turn off the water supply to the toilet, allowing the vacuum pump to shut off. Repeat the process three times. This will help reduce the amount of standing water in the toilet hoses.

The next step will depend on where you will store your boat during the winter. To prevent the development of bad smells, always drain the toilet, drain hoses and storage tank. And if the systems are going to be subjected to freezing temperatures, they must be protected to withstand them. We will see how to do this later.

DRAIN

First things first: empty the tank. This may seem obvious but it is something that is often forgotten and it is not pleasant to come back to your boat after a long winter and find it full of disgusting smells coming from the holding tank. We will avoid the trauma by thoroughly cleaning the sanitation system with fresh water and ensuring that it is completely drained, 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 located at the bottom of the water valve, as leaving it in place incorrectly can cause leaks.

PROTECT

If we need to use antifreeze in the sanitation system during the winterization process, we must perform the following steps after draining the system. First, we will empty the potable water tank and add special antifreeze for fresh water. Next, we will flush the toilet and the waste tank with special antifreeze for potable water. Since each installation is different, the quantities may vary, we will follow the instructions given by the manufacturer to ensure adequate protection.

TIGHTNESS

During winter storage we must check that all clamps and joints are properly tightened, to prevent any possible leaks. We must also ensure that all cable connections are correct when installing the vacuum pump.

For Vacuflush owners, Sealand / Dometic offers a wide network of service dealers around the world who will provide you with the necessary assistance to properly winterise your boat or when you decide to return it to the water. But you don't have to, our aim is to produce a high quality product that does not require technical service, while your sanitation system does not have any problems, provided you ensure its preservation through careful maintenance.