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I have a Lavac toilet that works by drawing a vacuum on the bowl when, with the lid closed, one pumps a bilge pump connected to the outlet. It is an excellent product but now the seals on the lid and seat are hardening with age.
As my local suppliers want a silly amount of money to replace them. Does anyone have a suggestion as to what I could use to soften them up?
I recently just paid an absurdly ridiculous amount of money just for the lid on one of our two Lavac heads, reusing the old seal since it was in good shape. I had to bite the bullet with a $150.00 charge for a round piece of plastic. I remember the lid gasket (seal), to cost about $30.00, plus shipping.
Lavac toilets are incredible, but on the very rare occasion you may need parts, the Brits have us by the nads.
I know one should not convert one for one but I am paying in South African Rands and the dealer is quoting the equivalent of around $250 (each) for the seals.
By the way I have already made a repair to a cracked lid (used Pratley two part epoxy putty) a few years ago. You can imagine how much a lid would cost in my part of the world.
Is it possible for you to buy direct from Defender? Assuming you have the Blake Lavac "Popular" model (better and heavier than the newer Zenith model), the seal is only $23.00 US.
Here's a link to the web page with "Service " kits for Blakes:
Sailningdog Yes that's one of my fallbacks. Alternatively to get them directly from the UK over the Internet and courier.
True Blue: The Zenith (whihch I have) is also around $23:00 direct from the supplier plus courier costs. This is probably the way to go. In the mean time I'll try something neutral like a non petroleum based 'oil' and see if it makes any impression. Thanks to all for the time.
Soutie, I'll second ArmorAll. It keeps gaskets and seals flexible for years. It won't renew them overnight...but it will help them without rotting them. (Some of the things that "soften" gaskets just rot them.)
On the downside, ArmorAll can eventually also soften adhesives and cause paints to lift from plastics as well.
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