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Topic ClosedBlack tank plugged - Event Date: 08 Sep 2018 - 18 Sep 2018

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DavMar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Black tank plugged
    Posted: 10 Sep 2018 at 3:26pm
Build yourself a flush wand, there's video's on line showing you how and your big box home improvement store has all the parts for cheap. It's a good tool to carry in your spare sewer hose carrier, if you have one.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 8:38pm
The Valtera thing looks like the way to go, now that you already have a clog.  I've heard of people trying to avoid any TP in the tank, but, in my opinion, that's nuts!  Why have a camper with a toilet if you're afraid to use it!  (To each his or her own, I'm just saying no TP in the toilet is like, I dunno, no gas in your car because it smells bad.)  Anyway, I've never really had a problem with our black water tank.  I think using more water to flush than you might think necessary and some kind of chemicals will keep you out of trouble.  Extra liquid more than anything is the best thing you can do.  I always try to add as much water to the black tank as possible before heading for the dump station.  Even a short trip in the campground to the dump station will stir things up pretty well.

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 6:41pm
I used Dawn too for the major cleaning.  Bubbles came out of the other drain port at the dump station.  And yes, always use a good biological agent to digest the solids.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 3:00pm
Use a good biological treatment like TankTechs Rx or Unique Products' Digest-It or other biological/enzymatic treatment to help break down the solids. Check out TankTechs' web site for plugged tank information.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 2:45pm
Always add a chemical to tank, use plenty of water when flushing, add a bit of Dawn prior to draining, I have a wand and I do use the backflush, never have had a tank blockage. Once you get it, fill tank and let it soak, never had any success with ice trick.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 12:50pm
Isn't RV tp supposed to disintegrate faster than normal tp?  Was RV grade paper in use at the time of the clog?  

We've used a reverse flush valve like the Valera and it is a good way to clean the tank.  In fact, I used a wand, ice, and the reverse flush all in a futile effort to clean the crud off the sensors for the tank level monitor.  

Our practice is to try to avoid the use of any tp in the tank.  Visits to the campground latrine are a much better way to avoid accumulation of solid matter, though that's not always possible.  For liquid elimination, it's really not a big deal to put the used tp into a little discrete plastic bag and throw it in the trash.  Obviously, for solid elimination, it gets a little delicate putting the tp into a bag, though in many countries with iffy sewer systems, it's common not to put tp into the toilet.  

Bottom line, using RV tp and limiting the quantities will go a long way to avoiding clogged tank drains.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 12:27pm
Originally posted by 1Hpod

Like the 9, 6, and 6 1/2 yr olds with us last weekend.
Hard to blame cute grandkids....guilty or not


Smile

Just stating a truth.. not trying to get anyone in trouble.. Hopefully, with new campers, someone explained to them the difference in camper vs home plumbing..

BTW, they make a "wand" that hooks to a hose, and goes down through the toilet, that may be able to get a powerful spray into the needed area..

Various Wands like this..


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:53am
Like the 9, 6, and 6 1/2 yr olds with us last weekend.
Hard to blame cute grandkids....guilty or not
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:45am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

I've found that some people use WAY more TP than they actually need...


ESP. young females.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Sep 2018 at 11:28am
I agree that you probably have a giant wad of TP or something blocking the discharge pipe. Using the Valtera thing would allow you to blow the wad back into the tank. Then give another try. Might take several tries to get the wad backed out and broken up, but there you are.

I've found that some people use WAY more TP than they actually need...
bp
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