T&T: TP- was Vacuflush Cycling

[Steve Sipe]

Scott H.E. Welch wrote:
> Finally, I am not keen on replacing the duckbills, so I don't put TP down the
> heads. I find if you provide a little stainless-steel trash can right beside
> the head you can divert most of it without a hassle. Again, 4 years and no
> problems with the duckbills.
>
>   
I've been a licensed plumber for nearly 30 years, and in that time I've 
experienced pretty much the whole gamut of things sanitary and probably 
more un-sanitary. Some of what I've seen could probably cause the casual 
viewer to lose lunch. It goes with the territory.

No offense Scott, but I've run into folks on land as well as many 
boaters who insist on the particularly unsanitary practice of storing 
used toilet paper in a container next to the potty. How gross! (Even to 
a professional plumber, it's unappealing.) A vacu-flush will easily 
handle the TP Sea Land recommends. The consistency when wet is no 
different than the waste the system is designed to handle, and although 
I can't speak for the designers, I'm positive they designed the toilets 
to flush the paper they recommend. I'd sooner deal with a well-rinsed 
duckbill valve than cart out used toilet paper on a regular basis. I've 
been boating for over 30 years, and have never had a head problem that 
could be related directly to toilet paper. I've certainly had paper pack 
up in a line due to another cause, but it was never the direct cause of 
the problem. Tissues, yes. That's why we don't keep them available in 
the guest head.

Flush the paper. It really won't cause a problem if you use the marine 
paper, and it certainly is much more sanitary.

Steve Sipe