Vacu Flush Back Flow?

B

BayBum37ft

Member
Joined
May 30, 2003
RO Number
11641
Messages
124
Is it possible for the fresh water from the toilet bowl to back flow into the fresh water tank?
I am getting a foul (sewer) smell from my fresh water tank when we use the faucets. I cleaned and flushed the fresh water tank with bleach this spring and the smell has returned.
I have a factory installed VHT-12 system in my 2001 Boston Whaler Conquest.
Thanks
BayBum
 
Actually the answer is no not on a properly installed VFlush. I would check the hotwater heater 1st they are usually at fault when it comes to fresh water odors.
Bill
 
It shouldn't happen if it is properly installed. The water enters at the top of the bowl so it would need to be filled to the brim for any chance of backflush. There is also usually a check valve. I usually put about a shot glass of bleach in the tank when I fill up to prevent the odor. My marina is on well water so no chlorine in it from the tap.
 
Plus you need the bowl black water pressure to exceed the tanks fresh water pump pressure. With my ME in addition to the 1 way fw valve there is a solenoid. On th VF you have the pedal fresh water valve.
Do you have an Aluminum fresh water tank they can smell when they start to deteriorate.
Bill
 
I don't see how it could happen.. There is an anti siphon valve plus as mentioned above an on/off valve on the pedal.

Hot water heaters are often a source of smell when the water sits there for a while, but that would only affect the hot water.

I have seen smell, not let me rephrase,.. I have smelled odors on the cold water side on boats where pumps or accumulator tanks are located in engine rooms. After a run, the water gets hot and if it sits there for a while (week or more) it may smell a bit when first used.
 
Check your strainer on fresh water.
Usually there is a strainer before pump.
 
Thank you for all the replies. I have a 30 gallon plastic water tank under the cockpit floor.
 
You can rule out the Aluminum tank idea. Do you have a hot water heater?
I'd check the pump and the pumps filter.
Bill
 
Yes I have a 6 gallon water heater that is rarely used. I will check the pump,strainer and filters
 
Rarely used hot water heaters can really be stinkers and some faucets will mix hot & cold without you realizing it?
The smell starts when the Anode starts to deteriorate.
I'd still follow all the other suggestions....
Bill
 
I don't see how this is possible even with a poorly installed system. The water enters the bowl from the top and flows down. So for the most part, air is what will enter the line. Then it would have to back flow all the way from the bowl past the pump and perhaps a check valve to get to the tank.

Foul water could be due to the tank having an issue. If you use potable antifreeze and let it ferment in the Spring, you will certainly have this. If you do not use a boat water system regularly, and I mean daily, and use a little bleach in it once in a while, the tank can very well sour as well. Part of recommissioning in the Spring should include some bleach and a rinse. The recent heat wave we've all experienced could have been all that was required to set the tank fouling into motion.

I know. We live on our boat in the Winter.

Generally speaking we put about a 1/8 to 1/4 cup of bleach into 100 gallons of water. If I do not bleach the tank a little as we add water it will turn and start to smell stale. We don't let it get beyond this stage.

Have you been using bleach when recommissioning the boat? Have you ever bleached the tank?
 
I use a bleach rinse in the spring and several fresh water flushes. Then I add some bleach to the water tank.
The water smell is coming from the hot water side. How can I flush the hot water heater?

Thanks

BayBum
 
Just let the hot water run for a while, it will clear itself. I rarely happens to me as I live on the boat, but if I m away for a month, I turn off the water heater and then let the water run to flush before. Seems like removing the once heated water before helps.
 
quote:
Originally posted by BayBum37ft

I use a bleach rinse in the spring and several fresh water flushes. Then I add some bleach to the water tank.
The water smell is coming from the hot water side. How can I flush the hot water heater?

Thanks

BayBum

Click to expand...

Just let a few dozen gallons run through the hot water heater when you're qat the dock. Mine does the same at the begining of the season or if by chance I don't get to the boat for 3 to 4 weeks. Even though I drain and bypass the hot water heater when I lay the boat up for the winter it does develop a rotten egg smell. If you don't use the hot water heater simply drain it and bypass it.
From March until about the 2nd week of December I spend more time living on the boat than at home. Now if I could just get to a warmer climate I wouldn't have to layup the boat for 4 months,,,,,,
At least you know it's not black water getting into your fresh water system!
Bill
 
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