How To Clean Boat Holding Tank? Stop Holding Tank From Smelling
Cleaning your boat holding tanks ( Greywater, Blackwater ) isn’t that difficult or complicated. You don’t have to be a pro to do it.
Cleaning the inside of a holding tank may seem troublesome for some but the reality it’s not. It is simpler than you think.
All you have to do to clean the holding tank is: Empty the tank completely (Suction – Discharge). Fill half the tank with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Let it soak for 2-4 hours. Empty the tank then quickly fill it with water and empty it again. Repeat the process until you see only clean water coming out.
Regarding boat sewage disposal, there are federal laws and regulations regarding this matter. These include the Sanitation systems installed in your boat, where you can discharge, and other criteria.
Federal law says that untreated sewage CAN NOT be discharged in inland or coastal waters unless you are in the ocean more than three miles offshore. Some states have additional restrictions.
Here you can read more about the United States Environmental Protection Agency about Wastewater Discharge.
Considering these laws and regulations, and the sailing/cruising location (Lakes, Rivers, Bays, Coastal, and Ocean), Or even when you are at the dock, I recommend checking your state laws before proceeding with the cleaning.
Now, Let’s start step by step:
Cleaning The Boat Holding Tank
Step 1: Empty The Holding Tank
Empty the holding tank after returning from a good robust sailing and everything is shaken up.
Pump the tank at a dock that has a sewage pump-out service, or three-mile offshore ( 3 to 5 miles will be better ). Check your state laws before proceeding.
Make sure the tank is completely empty and that there is nothing left as much as possible. Some sediment and sludge will remain on the inner walls.
Step 2: Fill Half The Tank With Hot Water And Soap
Fill the tank quickly so sediment and dirt do not dry out and harden, making it difficult to get them out of the tank if they hardened.
Fill it with a mixture of hot water and detergent, as hot as possible, via the toilet. Regular dish soap will be effective detergent (17 Oz – 500 Ml per 10 gallons). Whatever you choose, be sure to mix the cleaner well with water first and then pour it into the tank.
Step 3: Sail Or Motor To Shake The Tank
Let it soak for 1-2 hours then shake the tank. A robust sailing for an hour is the best way to shake “things inside” the holding tank. Use any appropriate – safe way to get the job done.
Shaking, rocking, and churning will help loosen and dissolve what is stuck and hardened inside the holding tank wastes.
If you have any kind of access inside the tank; Wear gloves and a face mask, use a long thin stick to go as deep into the tank, and move the stick around the bottom to agitate the sediment. This will be very useful.
Step 4: Empty And Wash The Tank (The Legal Way)
Emptying the tank by Pumping out at the dock – Offshore discharging. Then as fast as you can, fill it with water and empty the tank quickly. Doing it twice will be better.
If the water that comes out is not clean, repeat the process from step one.
You don’t need anything else. All you need is hot water mixed with dish soap and a shaking, to dissolve what is stuck inside. This is how you clean sludge out of a holding tank.
Step 5: Sterilize The Tank From Bacteria And Germs
Bacteria, germs, and microbes often grow inside the black water holding tank In most cases.
If any of the germs in any way comes out, it may cause health problems, I think you are aware of that.
Therefore, the sterilization process is very important, especially for those who spend a long time on the boat or live on board.
The sterilization process is very simple, fill the tank completely with hot water, add a sterilizer and disinfectant suitable for the tank, vinegar, chlorine, alcohol, or bleach. Let it soak for 12 hours or so, then empty the tank completely.
Follow the instructions and conditions for use of your chosen sterilizer very carefully. Do not mix these chemicals together. Use only one of them adequate to the tank materials. Rinse the tank with clean water and your job is done.
You may think stuff never has a chance to build up, but over time it just happens. You will get an accumulation of sediment in the bottom of the tank, even if you sail often to keep things churned up. It still builds up though. You have to clean your holding tank regularly.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Boat Holding Tank?
You have to clean the holding tank at least 2-3 times during the season. 4-6 times if using the boat all year round, and for winter or other long-term storage. You will get an accumulation of sediment in the bottom of the tank if you don’t clean the tank regularly.
How Do You Stop The Boat Holding Tank From Smelling?
Stinky smells are considered a comfort thief on boats. To prevent that bad odor, there are several procedures you can do.
- Regular pumping out will help prevent sediment buildup and smell.
- Immediately after pumping out fill the waste tank completely with a mixture of water and detergent and pump out again. This will help clean the tank air breathers and vents too.
- Adding a water softener when the tank is empty will help resist solidifying the sediment in the tank and the pipes. If only dry sediments remain, it will smell.
- Adding an Odor Ouster with each pump-out will be very helpful.
- Adding oil and vinegar on a monthly basis will help to keep the boat odor-free.
- Avoid clogging pipes
- If it was completely clogged it would be obvious. But the problem is the partial blockage, which leads to the accumulation of waste and the spread of odors.
- Avoid throwing anything that may cause clogging in the toilet, such as toilet paper, etc.
- Make sure to flush the toilet well after each use.
- Check the sewage system on a regular basis and fix any problem you find.
- Pump out before the tank is full ( 75% maximum recommended ). Otherwise, it will overflow and go to some hidden places and spread the stink.
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