Solve the odor problem of a marine wc for boats

Comfort on board, Marine WC

The bad smell of a marine toilet can turn a peaceful and pleasant sea trip into a nightmare. The causes at the origin of this type of problem are numerous, and it is necessary to know how to highlight them to be able to counterattack. Whether it is a faulty pipe or a poorly maintained tank, the source of the odor must be located and addressed. In this article, we show you how to solve each marine toilet odor problem based on its cause. Note that our advice can apply to all brands, whether Jabsco, Albin Pump, Lalizas, Johnson Pump, Osculati, Matro, Lavac, Dometic or even RM69.

The different possible causes of a marine toilet odor problem

Before you begin, know that there is no point in getting into a fight against a sea toilet smell until you spot the true source. Start by locating its origin before launching your offensive. It may happen that we treat a pipe when the problem comes from the waste water tank or the bowl.

Scale of the tank

Scaling is arguably the most common problem in toilets, whether domestic or for boats. Often overlooked and trivialized by users, it is sometimes very difficult to remove.

The scaling phenomenon is characterized by the deposit of tartar on an object. It is favored by the presence in water of alkaline earth, in particular of calcium and magnesium salts. For those who do not know, French waters are hard in general, which means that they are rich in alkaline earths. This is the reason why tartar is a recurring phenomenon in your toilet. Even seawater drawn from near the coast is concerned. You are probably wondering what is the link with the smell of a marine toilet? Here is the answer.

When the minerals in the scale come into contact with the organic matter present in the droppings, it promotes the proliferation of bacterial biofilms. Bacteria are fond of organic matter, so they will ferment whatever they find in their way. And it is from this fermentation that the bad odors that stink your marine toilets are born.

Why do the odors persist despite multiple cleanings of my marine toilet?

When for his cleaning marine toilets, the bottom of the tank often concentrates all the attention. Wire brush, air gun, it undergoes the whole operation head-on, unlike the top of the tank which remains untouched. Yes, there are few cases where this part is properly washed. Thus, it retains all of its scale, and it remains in contact with the wastewater. This is why the smell persists.

Marine toilet odor due to the urine-seawater / seawater-organic matter mixture

The problem here is with the use of seawater for flushing the toilet, but above all it is negligence. If you leave your wastewater in the tank for a long time, the urine-seawater / seawater-organics mixture will produce bad odors. In fact, the principle is the same as the one we explained above, because it is all the work of bacteria.

Presence of bacteria in the clean water supply pipe

Once again we have to deal with the consequences of scaling. Speaking of clean water supply hose, reference is made to manual and electric marine toilets, as they are always connected to clean water tanks. Know it, whatever the nature of the water used (fresh water or sea water), it is enough that it is rich in alkaline earths to support the formation of scale, then bacteria.

Presence of deposits in the pipes

The use of unsuitable pipes can also be the cause of your troubles. Indeed, there are materials sensitive to the deposit of organic and mineral matter. This is the case with steel, characterized by sealing problems. The materials that settle there are attacked by bacteria, which generates uncomfortable odors.

Solutions to solve the odor problem of a marine toilet

In the event of scaling in the tank

Improve the cleaning your black water tank by trying to reach all its corners, the most inaccessible in particular. Use descaling and descaling cleaners, as scale is the main cause of the bad smell of a marine toilet. However, favor ecological solutions, products that do not promote the degradation of marine ecosystems.

In addition, we recommend the installation of the ecological disinfectant for marine toilets YACHTICON Purytec. It will guarantee easy and optimal maintenance of the WC over the long term while respecting the environment. The cartridge installed on the water inlet automatically dispenses the chemical product to clean the entire system: the bowl, the pipes, the pump and the black water tank. You can install it in a few minutes on the clean water inlet pipe. The cartridge must be replaced when it is empty. For most boaters, a spare is sufficient for an entire season:

See the YACHTICON Purytec system

Odor of a marine toilet due to the mixture of urine-seawater / seawater-faeces

Here the solution is more hygienic than chemical. Do not wait for the smell of a marine toilet to disturb you before emptying the waste water tank. Empty your marine toilets frequently to avoid the fermentation reactions favored by sea water. The second solution is a little more radical. It consists of stopping using seawater in the toilet. But we all know it is not easy. Finally, opt for the use of special products for disinfect your waste water tank. It is recommended to use regularly in the black water tank of the YACHTICON Purysan Ultra. It prevents the formation of unpleasant odors and breaks down feces and toilet paper. In addition, it is recommended to clean the black water tank at least once a year before wintering. At this time, use YACHTICON Puryclean to clean and disinfect the waste water tank.

Bacteria in the clean water supply pipe and deposits in the pipes

In both cases, the simplest solution is touse an "anti-odor" hose. These are materials specially designed to stem this kind of problem. They are certainly a little more expensive, but their effectiveness is proven. You can also introduce cleaning products to fight the formation of deposits and the proliferation of bacteria. The other solution is to make sure the pipes are always empty. Since it is the water which stagnates there which is at the origin of the matters which are deposited there. Unfortunately this solution is very difficult, if not impossible to apply. Because, there is always a little water in these pipes.

What if your marine toilet continues to smell bad?

Also check the seal around the piston rod (on the hand pump). If it is damaged, it must be replaced. Some manufacturers offer repair kits adapted to the model and brand of your equipment:

See the replacement gasket kit for Lalizas LT-0 and LT-1 manual marine toilets

An anti-siphon elbow in the discharge line can also give you relief from bad odors. So this is a good tip for clean a marine toilet and make it odorless:

See a 38 mm marine toilet anti-siphon elbow

Finally, to avoid bad odors coming from the black water tank, we recommend the installation of a odor filter.

If none of the above solutions work, call a professional. He will carry out a thorough diagnosis, to determine the source of your troubles. Then, it will advise you on the most suitable method for the problems detected, as well as the measures to take to prevent them in the future.

NB: if your marine toilet is dilapidated, you should think about changing it. We wrote an article on the best marine toilets to guide you.