Bilge odors

[tgebler]

How do you deal with bilge odors? I have used bilge cleaners (twice) and pumped out the standing bilge water but odors continue a few days after the pump outs.

Suggestions?

[Cooler]

I use the Kanberra tea tree canister. I have one in my salon, and that takes care of any general boat odors. Just follow instruction, and put the canister in an open area so the gel can do it's job. Do not put them in bilge. They expel spores of deodorizer into the air with no fragrance. You may need to use 2 at a time in different areas. They last a good 60 days or more. Good luck. er

[Viper]

I would first determine what is actually causing the door. Is it stagnant water in the bilge, a shower sump that needs to be cleaned and serviced, or is the odour from permeated waste hoses? If those hoses or a sump are the real source for example, all the bilge scrubbing won’t help. You should also do a thorough look for mold.

If the source is bilge water, determine where it’s coming from and correct it. If the water is coming in from non-dripless shaft logs for example which you can’t do much about, then consider a dry bilge system that’s designed to remove pretty much all standing water if done right, otherwise it’s a matter of elbow grease or vacuuming more often.

If the waste hoses are suspect (common), confirm by placing a hot wet rag on a section of low lying hose and leave it there for about 30 minutes. Remove the rag and put your nose to work. If the rag smells, your hoses are permeated and is likely what you keep smelling. The best remedy is to replace the hoses though some have used product like Noflex Digester as a first measure in hopes it will prolong the need for hose replacement.

Of coarse this is assuming you’ve checked other obvious things like a waste leak both liquid and atmospheric. If you have an overboard waste discharge system, check those components as well. Pretty common for the discharge pump/macerator to smell after a while. Same goes for the vacuum pump and associated hardware if you have a Vacuflush toilet.