Attentive readers of this blog will remember the fun we had in Grenada changing the, very calcified and narrowed, pipes in the port heads.  Armed with the considerable experience gained during that process Mike tackled the forward heads while Carol was away.  (Very lucky for Carol)

Like the port heads they had had no attention for ten years.  A shameful situation given that enthusiastic maintainers of yacht plumbing will take all the pipes off and de-calcify them once a year.

The problem is, as always, the confined space and associated narrowness of gaps and acuteness of angles.  Those of a delicate disposition may choose to read no further.

First, copious quantities of bleach were  used to try and kill, or at least reduce, the number of bacteria in the pipes and tank.  This would therefore reduce the likelihood of infection should Mike be attacked by the wire in the pipes as he had been last time.

Next, on the principal that it is quicker and easier to wash skin than clothes, take all clothes off but put on rubber gloves.

Then, remove the panelling and doors….

All worth the effort though because the heads now pump with ease through the wide pipes.  I doubt we will be taking them off every year to crack out the calcification but we won’t leave it for ten years again.