RV Waste Water System Care. RV Waste Water System

RV Waste Water System Care & Maintenance
Waste Water System

The wastewater system inside the recreational vehicle is self-contained, while on the road or set up in a campsite. The main parts of the waste system are the toilet, holding tanks and tank dump valves. As in residential households, the drainage system also includes p-traps and roof vents to allow escape of odors and gases.

RV Waste Holding Tanks
Waste water is divided into two categories: Black water and gray water. The term black water refers to the waste flushed down the toilet and stored in a separate tank*, referred to as the black tank. Gray water is the wastewater from the sinks, tub and shower drains and is stored within one (or more) gray tank(s). Waste tanks empty through a single outlet, but a separate valve controls each tank.

The dump valves should remain closed even if connected to an exterior sewer hook up. For proper dumping, empty tanks only when they are nearly full. The idea is to send a large volume of water through the tanks and hose at the same time to assist the solid waste in flushing from the system.

RV Waste Holding Tank Dumping Instructions
Place the end of the sewer hose into an approved dump station inlet.
Twist off the termination outlet cap.
Connect the sewer hose by turning counterclockwise, locking the end levers over the termination end.
Open the black tank termination valve and drain.
Open the gray tank termination valve and drain. (If RV has 2 gray tanks, drain one at a time.)
6. Close termination valves.
Disconnect sewer hose and store.
Replace termination cap on the outlet.
Add chemical deodorant / breakdown agent approved for RV use.
After the sewage tank has been emptied, close the gate valves and put approximately five gallons of water in the sewage holding tanks. This will help prevent solids from building up. The addition of a deodorizing agent like Aqua-Kem® will help prevent odors.

RV Toilet
The toilet operates from water supplied either by the fresh water tank or from an exterior water supply connected to a campground water hook-up. (The water pump must be turned on when utilizing the water from the fresh water tank.)

The toilet flushes directly into the black water tank. You should find complete instructions and care for the model installed in your RV at the manufactures web site or by calling the company.

Solids Build-Up
The most common problem associated with the waste system is solids build up. Using plenty of water when flushing the toilet, and keeping the holding tank valves closed until ready to flush the system can reduce the risk of build up.

Should you ever have a build up of solids, close the valves, fill the tanks at least 3/4 full with fresh water, drive a drive a few miles to agitate the solids then drain the tanks.

Do not put these items in toilet

Facial tissues, paper towels, sanitary products (including those labeled flushable).
Detergents or bleach. Use a sewage tank deodorizer.
Automotive antifreeze, ammonia, alcohols, or acetones.
Grease from cooking, table scraps or other solids that may cause clogging.

RV Holding Tanks. RV Holding Tank Tips. Clogged Holding Tank

RV Holding Tanks. RV Holding Tank Tips

HOLDING TANKS - There are normally two different holding tanks on most RVs; the gray water tank and the black water tank. The gray water tank holds the waste water from the sinks and showers. The black water tank holds the waste from the toilet.

RV waste water holding tanks are meant only as a temporary storage facility for waste and are not designed to be a water processing or water purifying system.

That is better left to septic systems or municipal water treatment plants. When you dump the contents of your holding tanks into an approved dump station, the disposal and treatment of these wastes become the responsibility of the station.

In the past few years many free dump stations have been closed down and more will follow. Why? ... Some RV holding tank treatments are harmful to septic systems, especially formaldehyde-based chemicals. Formaldehyde is a preservative and destroys the bacteria that are needed to break down waste materials. In addition, unscrupulous people have been illegally dumping everything from paint to oil to hazardous materials of all sorts into these dump stations. RVers Guide to Dump Stations

However, there is much that the RVer can do to control odors and help keep the holding tanks clean and functioning as they were intended to. The use of appropriate holding tank treatments and RV friendly toilet products are a good step in this direction. An enzyme-based holding tank treatment uses "good" bacteria to digest waste solids and keep the odor under control. One very effective treatment is Enviro-Chem

The use of quick dissolving toilet paper helps to keep the waste in a liquid form. To test your toilet paper, fill an empty jar half full with water. Drop in a sheet or two of your favorite toilet paper. Shake the jar for a few seconds. If the toilet paper dissolves it's RV holding tank friendly. If it fails this test, experiment with another brand.

RV Holding Tank Tips

RV Holding Tank-Dumping Tips
1. Prior to pulling the holding tank valve (Don't laugh this can happen to a seasoned RVer as well as a newbie) be sure the sewer hose is connected to the outlet on the RV and the drain receptacle.

2. Use a clear quick connect fitting between the hose and the RV. This allows you to see what is in your tank. Is it a fast moving slurry or a slow movement of solids.

3. Be sure all connections are secure to prevent leakage. Check the RV connection for leakage and the dump connection to make sure it is tight and will not allow odors to seep out. Make sure the receiving drain is lower than the RV drain, and that there are no obstructions.

4. Never dump the black tank uncles it is at least 2/3 full. Add water if needed. Liquid is needed to help carry out the solid wastes.

5. Allow the grey water tank to fill with sufficient water to flush the black water wastes from your sewer hose.

6. When you are finished flushing out the sewer hose, close both tank valves and add several gallons of warm water to each. You are now ready to add the recommended amount of additives to each holding tank.

RV Dump Station Health Risks
Be watchful of how the previous RVers have used the dump station. You will notice inexperienced or lazy RVers rinsing out their sewer hoses with the dump stations drinking water hoses.

In case you don't know, sewage bacteria can cling to almost anything and often does. Where do you think these bacteria will go when you fill your drinking water tank using the same hose?

Holding Tank Dump Health Risks
Do you expose yourself to health risks by handling your sewer and black water connections. Do you further increase your health risks by not thoroughly washing your hands after handling this equipment?

Protect Yourself
Protect yourself by wearing disposable gloves.

They are inexpensive and take minimal storage space and help to protect you from harmful bacteria.

Buy several boxes and keep them in a plastic bag in your sewer valve compartment.

Clogged Holding Tanks
Build-Up Of Solids
The build up of solids is likely to reduce the capacity of the tank.

The waste build up can create a dream environment for harmful bacteria and a dangerous health situations for you.

Cleaning out or eliminating build ups can be very expensive.

Clogged Tank
With a regular maintenance and an effective holding tank additive, clogged holding tanks can be eliminated. However, if your tank does become clogged, follow these steps.

1. Close the tank drain valve then raise the sewer hose as high as you can and have someone else fill it with water. Have the other person reopen the drain valve and quickly place the sewer hose back in the sewer drain hole.

This should create a suction action that often loosens the clog.

2. Rent or buy a manual auger and place it down the toilet and operate it until it turns freely in as many positions as possible. Fill the tank and open the drain valve again.

3. Connect a back flush valve to your drain and back flush the tank from the drain valve with as much water pressure as possible. You can purchase these valves from most RV parts stores.

4. If the park you are at has a honey wagon, have them connect to the drain valve and try sucking the tank with the honey wagon pump.

If steps above do not work, you have 2 more options.

Option 1. Call an RV specialist who has equipment to unclog holding tanks

Option 2. Buy a quart of UNIQUE RV Digest-It. Empty the quart into the problem tank through a toilet or drain connected to the tank.

Purchase a clear drain connector, wait at least 12 hours then open the drain and watch the liquids flow. Problem solved.

RV Holding Tank Odors Gone With the Wind

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