Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

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Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

February 14, 2012, 02:28:11 pm

Hi All

Me again

So nobody told us NOT to keep the black tank valve open whilst hooked up - so we did just that and after 30 days in one spot our black tank will not drain. From what I have read there is most likely a large solid mass at the bottom of the tank blocking the drain. Any suggestions on the best way to soften it up. I've read bleach or water softener. Would a LARGE dose Rid X work? or the black tank treatment stuff? Thanks again for all your help.

Christi

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #1 – February 14, 2012, 02:45:30 pm

You did the correct thing by leaving your black tank valve SHUT. If you didn't keep it shut then all the paper would pile up under the toilet, dry up and then you would have a hard time getting rid of the stuff. Think "mountain."

Pull in your lines and take your RV for a short drive with a couple of turns involve. That should loosen things up. Dump when you 1st get back before you do anything else. Fill the tank up again and flush her a couple of times to get it clean.

1. Black tanks love water. It keeps things moving. I always add water.
2. Dump more often than 30 days. I've never gone longer than 5 or 6, but that's because my tank gauge didn't work. You can tell by the sound of the water if your tank is getting full. Listen carefully!
Cheers!

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #2 – February 14, 2012, 02:46:44 pm

D'oh!

Some folk have recommended putting ice cubes or ice chunks down the toilet, then taking a drive with lots of jostling.

A back flush from the drain side might help as well. You can get a Valterra style cap with a garden hose fitting. There are also clear attachments/extensions with garden hose fittings that are designed for back flushing the tanks. Be sure to use a hose designated for waste use ONLY. Keep pressure from fresh water on it all the time and/or have a back flow prevention device to avoid contaminating a water source.

Best wishes for success. That's a ...... problem to encounter.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #3 – February 14, 2012, 02:47:16 pm

Couple of things to try.

1. Tank cleaning wand. Valterra - Flexible Tank Wand - A01-0187VP - Drain & Flush Systems - Camping

2. Also try this. RV Black and Gray Water Holding Tank Maintenance

There are a series of videos on You Tube showing how to do most everything with a RV. If you don't see what you need on there just ask on the forum.

Keith

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #4 – February 14, 2012, 03:25:29 pm

The problem is we did leave it open - we have tried a wand and hose from both ends. Really need something that will break up the solid mass.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #5 – February 14, 2012, 03:28:17 pm

Quote from: Christis Dream – February 14, 2012, 03:25:29 pm

The problem is we did leave it open - we have tried a wand and hose from both ends. Really need something that will break up the solid mass.

You could try the ice-cubes trick. If you could be sure of getting them out I'd be tempted to try golf balls... and a parking lot with lots of speed bumps.

Craig

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #6 – February 14, 2012, 04:02:20 pm

Hi Christie

When we first began fulltiming 3 years ago we had the same problem. We quickly discovered how to overcome this problem and have been trouble free since. I was able to dislodge the blockage by inserting a hose at the coach drain connection, sealing it off with some rags to reduce leakage, close the gray water valve and forced water back through the open black water tank valve. It took a couple of tries but it eventually broke free. If you are careful, you will have very little spillage. As for the position of the black and gray water valves, I have left them open and keep a water trap loop with the drain hose. This keeps any sewer gas from coming back into the tank. There are two things that will create problems with the black water tank. The first is use of 2 ply toilet paper/excessive amount of paper and failure to regularly flush the tank. I flush the black water tank weekly for 15 mins. and haven't had any issues with it since. The problem with fulltiming and keeping the valve closed is that you are forced to monitor the tank level to avoid overflow.
Bob and Faith

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #7 – February 14, 2012, 04:43:05 pm

A bag or two of ice a bottle of dish washing machine soap and a drive over a bumpy road should clean it all out. The dish washing machine soap will have a water softener in it that will help a lot and you won't get your hands dirty. Gam

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #8 – February 14, 2012, 05:02:06 pm

Fill the black tank 3/4 with water. Let it sit overnight to "hydrate".

Open drain. Lug a hose into the bathroom (the one you wash the coach with, not the potable water hose). Turn off pressure water/shore water. Open the toilet valve.

Turn the hose wide open and start flushing. If you have to feed any of the hose into the toilet itself, be sure to wash it with a strong Clorox solution.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #9 – February 14, 2012, 05:14:43 pm

I would dump some really HOT water in there and hope it softens some stuff, try the back flushing and then use a Rid-X product for a while to break down the solids. Ice seems like a good idea, but all it does is knock stuff off of the sides while it floats on the top of the water in the tank. JMHO. Once you get things flowing again, I will tell you that I have used a concoction of 1 Cup (yes ... a CUP) of Dawn PLUS 1 Cup of Liquid Calgon water softener to get rid of some serious gunk in a black tank. Liquid Calgon is a laundry product that may be hard to find now. You could probably substitute plain old washing soda dissolved in hot water to help do the trick. Just keep working at it ... you are certainly not the first to forget to close the black valve. Mr. Wonderful did that about 2 weeks ago and I was afraid we would have an issue. I just dumped a few dish pans of hot water down the commode to and added some powdered Rid-X. We were OK.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #10 – February 14, 2012, 08:00:06 pm

Has anyone ever heard of using a power washer with rotating nozzle to wash out a black tank? Good, bad, terrible idea? I'm tempted but would prefer to not be the trailblazer on this idea.

Chuck

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #11 – February 14, 2012, 08:16:00 pm

Understand any back splash "stuff" will make you very sick. On my last trailers we used the 3' wand down the toilet hole with carefull aim, and positioning to flush the tank. Now with the Foretravel, tank flushers, and a clear viewing pipe in the drain hose we are always sure we have flushed the tanks clean.

I like the idea of filling with water to hydrate the solids, drive it around, and then try to drain again. I have always waited to dump the black tank till it is full, and when we have full hookups, encourage the use of several half to full bowl flushes. The problem always seems to be too little water added to the tank, too much paper is the next problem, along with the wrong type of paper.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #12 – February 14, 2012, 08:25:43 pm

If you have the low profile electric flush toilet be sure to disconnect the power source to the flush valve! Then open the tank lid that holds the flushing mechanism, and remove the arm that operates the flapper valve. This will allow the flapper to be held open or fall open while trying to put ice or any other object down the drain hole. The opening goes directly into the holding tank on my 1994 U300. I had the misfortune of breaking the gear that operates that flapper while trying to put ice into my holding tank

and it took me three weeks to get the parts and a lot of unnecessary work because I did not realize that the flapper is forced closed to hold a seal at the base of the toilet bowl...

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #13 – February 14, 2012, 08:27:52 pm

I have not purchased special "RV" toilet paper since the first 4-pack was used up 5 years ago. I now use Angel Soft, with very good results. Any "septic safe" paper will do ... and if it is double ply, I think you tend to use less. Someone here on the Forum did a scientific test a year or so ago ... half filling several jars with water, adding tissue, shake shake shake ... see what happens. They made a full report, I believe.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #14 – February 14, 2012, 08:35:16 pm

Quote from: Carol Savournin – February 14, 2012, 08:27:52 pm

I have not purchased special "RV" toilet paper since the first 4-pack was used up 5 years ago. I now use Angel Soft, with very good results. Any "septic safe" paper will do ... and if it is double ply, I think you tend to use less. Someone here on the Forum did a scientific test a year or so ago ... half filling several jars with water, adding tissue, shake shake shake ... see what happens. They made a full report, I believe.

Why does this not even surprise me, after less than a year on the board, I know this forum is full of people with the time and inclination to always know more. What a great, but sometimes over the top group!!!!

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #15 – February 14, 2012, 09:25:44 pm

We will take a tank with lots of liquid on a fun ride tomorrow - fingers crossed

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #16 – February 14, 2012, 11:33:20 pm

Our 96 U295 doesn't have a built-in black tank rinser like some newer models. We never leave the valve open, and after I initially release the contents, I pour (just as fast as possible without making a mess) two 5 gal pails of fresh water directly down the toilet (my toilet sits directly over the black tank). That large rush of water always eliminates any solids hanging around, and forces any large wads of paper through the sewer hose. Just sayin'.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #17 – February 15, 2012, 08:51:06 am

Having a "tank washer" installed is something that is not horribly expensive, and certainly gives one peace of mind. Failing that, the old bit of advice about pouring a cup or so of cheap cooking oil into the tank after it is clean and letting the oil settle all the way down to the bayonet valve (to lubricate the valve) also helps to keep stuff from sticking to the bottom of the tank. with my "home remedy" for using white vinegar to deodorize the black tank, and the vegetable oil for lubrication, it is starting to sound like more of a "salad recipe" than a mechanical thread!

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #18 – February 15, 2012, 09:56:54 am

Just don't get the blank tank "dressing" and the salad "Dressing" mixed up!

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #19 – February 15, 2012, 01:30:56 pm

Once we get this cleared we will definitely be trying the oil trick.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #20 – February 15, 2012, 03:00:35 pm

Quote from: Christis Dream – February 15, 2012, 01:30:56 pm

Once we get this cleared we will definitely be trying the oil trick.

The deal is ... go to the Dollar Store or Wallyworld or some such place and buy the absolute cheapest vegetable oil you can find. After you flush your tanks and let them thoroughly drain, pour a cup or so of oil down the shortest drain (shower?) and the commode, and then wait a bit to let it settle to the very lowest point right on the valve. Then, work each bayonet valve a couple of times, until you feel that it has been lubricated. We used to do this maybe every third time, and it surely made life easier. Cheap, too.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #21 – February 15, 2012, 04:38:08 pm

Christi, Welcome to the club, I would bet that everyone here has had the same problem even if they will not admit it. POOP management is one of those skills that everyone learns by experience, ( experience is the best teacher, that is why it costs so much ). My experience was with coach in which previous owners left valves open all the time, I spent a couple hours with the awning rod digging around in the PILE to loosen it up. I am not pleasant to be around in such situations.
My solution is to add a gallon of water at least via the tank flusher to keep everything floating.
BTW Absolute PANIC is when filling fresh tank on newly acquired coach and you see water RISING in the toilet WTF... tank flush and fresh water fill were mislabeled. Previous owner was already dead so I could not do anything about it.
Where else can you have so much fun ??
Gary B

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #22 – February 15, 2012, 04:54:45 pm

Gary,

Here is where you can have more fun. Parked along the Keweenaw Waterway in Michigan's UP at seasons end with our old travel trailer. It's below freezing out and there is freezing fog. 4:30am DW wakes me up to tell me toilet is backing up. Go outside and pull black tank valve. No result. Wait until morning to find DW took my admonishment to save water (no Dear, it's only when boon-docking) and was not giving the toilet a hearty flush so the paper was blocking the pipe (offset tank). Real bear to fix. Next night woken up with "the toilet won't flush". Same weather conditions. Frozen hose? No turns out to be defective pressure regulator. The floodlit lift bridge sure looked picturesque in the distance though.

BTW if you are ever in that neck of the woods I can highly recommend the City of Houghton RV park. Book early though.

Keith

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #23 – February 15, 2012, 04:57:50 pm

Hi, this is why I mounted a "TORNADO" tanks rinser on the side of Black tank, Once I week I fully flush and clean black tank. Took about 1/2 hour and cost about $25.

Re: Classic Rookie Mistake - Impacted Black Tank

Reply #24 – February 15, 2012, 10:31:42 pm

Well after adding softner and taking our black tank for a ride today - we hooked back up, opened the valve & NOTHING!!! Starting to think maybe the black valve is not functioning. How hard is this to get at on our '93? Can we get at the blade & open it manually once we remove the panels from the utility bay?

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