Sealand toilet holding water

[boylanag]

Last year, when we were set up in Florida, our Sealand toilet stopped holding water in the bowl. After seeing on this forum that there was a problem with the valve mechanism that the manufacturer recognized, I called Sealand and they sent a new valve. I never got around to installing it and, when we left Florida and started our move north, it began holding water again. When workamping in Michigan for the summer, it stopped holding water again. This time, when we left on this trip, it started holding water again. We are moving every several days or so and it continues to hold water. I don't know why it continues to work or even question it but will accept it and still have the new valve mechanism for if it stops for good.

[tim43]

Keep that rubber seal the toilet closes on when you flush it lubricated with plumbers silicone (AKA waterproof) grease. That should help the seal hold.

[Exnavydiver]

Jim, as I was TOLD on this forum by several folks when you step on the pedal to flush, you should let your foot slide off the pedal and let the ball "snap" (read SLAM) shut as per the instructions. It worked for me.... Dave

[boylanag]

Thanks, Tim. Dave, maybe the bumpy travels are doing the SLAMMING that we have heard about, eh?

[Wiarton William]

I replaced the gasket in mine...I found that there is a circular v shape lip which creates the seal between the ball and the gasket.. that crevice in the lip seems to fill with particles and deposits and then loses its seal..could be the vibrations of travel dislodge the particles and it works again..

[Waynem]

They make a tool for cleaning that lip. I made one a long time ago with a flat blade screw driver (about 1/4 to 3/8 inch wide blade. Put the screw driver in a vice with the tip sticking up. Heat it with a blow torch (propane) and bend it 90 degrees with a gentle tapping with a hammer. It should stick out about 3/4 of an inch or so. File off any sharp edges. Voila, there is your tool for the small price of a cheap screwdriver. You may not need the blow torch, but I just found it easier.

Place the 90 degree blade in the lip and gently run it around. If you don't want to do that, use a tooth brush. (I prefer to use my wife's toothbrush - don't tell her.)