Cleaning Thetford Flushing tank
I have noticed, recently. that there is 'gunge' developing just inside the toilet flushing tank filler on the outside of our 2 year old Bailey Barcelona. I assume it is due to using pink fluid in the flushing tank and whilst there is no evidence yet of bits of black being flushed into the loo, I expect it's only a matter of time. Other than using bleach which is advised against and would presumably damage the pump - what's the best way of getting rid of it? Wondering if a bio washing pod - which I have now started using in the cassette - with good results - might do the trick?
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You can get stuff specifically for this job. But a bio washing pod would do it I'd have thought.
Our last van was 5 years old when we traded it in and we never saw this problem. Are you overdosing? WHat's the water quality like where you are ?
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Yes, I probably am putting too much pink in. Never measure it - just tip some in and I do seem to get through rather a lot. Water quality can't be an issue since it has been filled up all over the country. Once I've got rid of the gunge, I think I will stop using the pink - good point comeyras.
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It is still flushed/rinsed with stored tap water though.
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Pippah - not sure - I've used all sorts - Aquachem, two separate dealer's own brand, Aldi, etc etc. Anyway, I gave it a go yesterday and filled the tank up with water containing a bio pod and left it for a few hours. It seems to have shifted the gunk that I can see and am assuming that the tank is now much cleaner. I think I'm going to leave the pink alone for a while and see how I get on.
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My pump in the toilet header tank has just given up the ghost. Might have come to the end of it's natural life? but the tank was full of flecks, the remains of the pink additive which might have blocked the pumps impeller, as a result it kept blowing fuses. I used a plastic tube and syphoned the water out of the header tank into a bowl, and found the water full of these flecks. When I get the new pump fitted I am ditching the pink stuff.
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richardandros, today I had the failed pump taken out of the toilet header tank and a new one put in. The pink slime all over the old pump and pipes is an awful mess, it is very difficult to get off the surfaces, even when rubbing it with my fingers and I needed a nail brush to get the slime off my fingers. You asked if a bio pod would help clean the surfaces! What I will do is put the old pump in a container, submerged with a bio pod in the water and let it stand for 24 hours, I will then let you know if it has any affect on the slime and makes cleaning easier.
I have flushed the header tank repeatedly and syphoned off the water so the bits don't go through the pump., Watch this space.
When sucking on the syphon tube, I always made sure I sucked the same end.
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I know it's not the same, but some do use it in their flush system, but fabric conditioner leaves the dispenser tray of our washing machine in a similar state. Needs a good scrub in washing up liquid every now and then. The houseproud among us, and I know some, do it everytime it's used!
I wouldn't put a bio pods in the flush tank as it'll bubble I would think.
We don't have a flush tank, so only supposition on my part.
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Bakers - I suspect you're right that the pink fluid is similar to fabric conditioner. A washing machine engineer was advising us never to use fabric conditioner because it contains a lot of fats and that's what causes the black gunge in the dispenser tray and elsewhere. Not that my wife had any intention of taking any notice!
Nuggy, I would be interested to hear the outcome - especially as I have now used a pod to try and clear the build up of deposits. Incidentally, why do you have to syphon the water out? Doesn't your tank have a drain pipe in the cassette locker?
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randr, yes, it does have a drain plug, but it is a narrow hole and some of the pink bits that came out were biggish pieces. Also the water splashes out everywhere so I decided it was easier and quicker to use a clear plastic pipe with a decent diameter bore, straight into a bowl for throwing away. My caravan is 14 years old so I have used quite a lot of pink over the years.
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randr, the result:- I took the old (not working) pump out of the bio pod water after 48 hours and rinsed under the cold tap. The grime fell away and it came up like new. And guess what, the pump works again so I now have a spare. With the benefit of hindsight I could have done that whilst it was in the header tank and might? have got the pump going again,
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A bio washing pod would be my solution but I now use Aldi fabric conditioner in the flush tank- lovely smell and no black bits. Same mix as if you were usung pink. Bio pod in the waste tank- good shake before emptying and the jobs a good'un!
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