Tuesday, 18 June
Sea Mist RV Park — NAS Oceana, Dam Neck Annex — Virginia Beach, Virginia
We have mostly been busy with ‘stuff’ at home since arriving in Virginia Beach five days ago. A few quiet beach walks is all that we’ve done to break the daily routine of reading, and doing errands, and working on chores.
Nothing exciting to write about, so I thought I would use one of Mui’s handyman projects to remind everyone that we’re still out here in blogland. It’s a simple project, but one that I especially appreciate since it closes off one more access point for mice (and snakes … shudder) to get into the coach.
The sewer hose comes into the bay through an opening in the center of the wet-tub. When the hose is not connected, there is a twist-lid that seals the hole. When the hose is connected, however, there is a large gap around it that is an open invitation to critters.
There are lots of critters out there that can easily come through the gap around the sewer hose.
There are some commercial solutions out there, but Mui felt that a simple rubber o-ring around the hose would work just as well. After scouring Home Depot and Lowe’s — two of his favorite playgrounds — he decided that a sink plunger would do the trick.
[Since some of you eagle-eyes out there will spot the faked-out photos, I’ll admit now that Mui did this little project a while ago. He did it behind my back to surprise me, so I asked him to run through the steps after the fact so I could take photographs for the blog.]
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Left: First step, purchase a sink plunger that is the size of the hole in the wetbay tub.
Right: Remove the handle from the rubber cup.
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Using a utility knife, cut off and remove the top of the rubber cup.
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With the utility knife, slit the remaining portion of the rubber cup so that it can be
slid around the sewer hose.
Voilà! The o-ring goes around the sewer hose and the gap is sealed.
Mui could have done a snug fit around the hose, but opted to leave a gap and fill it in with copper wool. By doing so, any water trickles from the fresh water connection will drain out of the tub rather than pool inside. It is a wetbay after all ;-)
I'm seeing a patent needed for this idea! That's thinking outside the box, or the wet bay... :c)
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA...I love the reenactment. Good job Mui!
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Never thought about a plunger for that job. We cut a foam kneeling pad to fit. It's about an inch or so thick and pliable so it can easily be inserted in that hole. I love hearing about other solutions :)
ReplyDeleteVery clever and so simple!! Great work, Mui!
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of nice to just "live" as we call it. Sometimes "vacationing" needs a break:) I enjoy a day with nothing big on the agenda.
Seal that Phaeton up any tighter and hypoxia may be a danger! If you see any fingers or toes going a little blue... Crack a window, willya? ;))
ReplyDeleteI love it. . .great post. . .thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJanice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing Blog
FaceBook.com/ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing
Now that's a good one Mui! I've been stuffing a rag around the hose, but I like your idea MUCH better. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe never thought about critters crawling up the hose--yikes, now you have my imagination in overdrive. We are still prwtty naive about many facets of motorhome life, but this little project sure looks clever.
ReplyDeleteI would like to "second" the joy of having days with no agenda. I could use some real soon!
Mui is so clever! nice job keeping the critters out!
ReplyDeleteAn easy and clever solution! Thank you! Maybe THAT'S how the tree frog got into our rig!
ReplyDeleteYou learn something new everyday! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteDavid says "way to go Mui". Creative solution. Even at FHU we don't leave our hose out. We just put it out for the dumping rather than leave it hooked up all the time.
ReplyDeleteSo we've got our eye on it when it's out to foil any would be entrants.
That is really clever! Even Ron was impressed.
ReplyDeleteErin, thanks for your ideas we made it to Skyline Drive yesterday and did the Stony Man trail despite the fog. Today was a better day and did another hike. Its beautiful and lush over here.
ReplyDelete-MonaLiza
Another great idea from you two! Love your ideas.
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas.
ReplyDelete