HELP! Black tank Clogged

Hi, We have always had success with the ice cube method.

Read about that ice deal often. Really not sure how well it works. The ice is going to melt in no time.

Prevention is the best cure. Blowing the clog back into the tank looks good but once done get into the habit of dumping only after at least a few days of use & as part of the dumping procedure put a few gallons of water back into the tank after the dump so that water can slosh around as you drive & prevent anymore dried up buildups.

Medico wrote:
One thing to consider, some people leave the black tank valve open, which allows the liquid to leave the tank, but NOT the solids. This causes the solids to dam up. It is ALWAYS recommended the black valve be left closed at all times unless actually dumping, and to allow the black tank to fill to at least 3/4 full before dumping. The fluids are necessary to get the solids flowing plus having more water gives more pressure on top of the solids to help push them out.

One method to help break down this dam is to add a few bags of ice (those large bags you buy at convenience stores) down through the toilet, then drive around with the RV allowing the ice to slosh around and break up the solid dam until the ice melts. This method actually works to break up these dams. The larger the black tank, the more bags of ice are needed.

It's difficult to know what the OP's problem might be, but this is one possibility. Flushing after dumping is really helpful. I usually fill the black tank 2 or 3 times with water to help flush out residual solids.

Good post on the ice part not so sure about the open valve.
Had a black tank that sat the winter and most of the summer with 1/4 tank of well you know. Last night On the way to the dump station a bag of ice and off to dump. Emptied fine. Can't imagine what non mechanical clog this method won't solve.

Jimmie2 wrote:

Medico wrote:
....some people leave the black tank valve open, which allows the liquid to leave the tank, but NOT the solids. This causes the solids to dam up...

aka = Turdation :B

Medico..and Jimmie
We saw some people do that once...(leave their black tank open while parked for 3 days) and it was a total disaster. Took a couple of VERY KIND GUYS about an hour of straight, disgusting HARD work to get things fixed for them.

I still don't think they got it either. yuk

Medico wrote:
....some people leave the black tank valve open, which allows the liquid to leave the tank, but NOT the solids. This causes the solids to dam up...

aka = Turdation :B

One thing to consider, some people leave the black tank valve open, which allows the liquid to leave the tank, but NOT the solids. This causes the solids to dam up. It is ALWAYS recommended the black valve be left closed at all times unless actually dumping, and to allow the black tank to fill to at least 3/4 full before dumping. The fluids are necessary to get the solids flowing plus having more water gives more pressure on top of the solids to help push them out.

One method to help break down this dam is to add a few bags of ice (those large bags you buy at convenience stores) down through the toilet, then drive around with the RV allowing the ice to slosh around and break up the solid dam until the ice melts. This method actually works to break up these dams. The larger the black tank, the more bags of ice are needed.

It's difficult to know what the OP's problem might be, but this is one possibility. Flushing after dumping is really helpful. I usually fill the black tank 2 or 3 times with water to help flush out residual solids.

Thanks for all the great ideas, I had never had this problem so was at a loss as to what to suggest. He opted to head for home and not risk a mess at the campground. He called me and said the drain worked fine when he got home. I guess all the sloshing around on the way home dislodged what ever it was. Thanks again!
Ron

Happy Camper Extreme Cleaner, simple, simple.

stickdog wrote:

K Charles wrote:
If nothing comes out, how do you know the valve opened. Did the handle or cable come off the valve?

+1

You should be able to reach the valve and feel whether it is open or closed, at least in my MH I can. You might want to wear a glove.

K Charles wrote:
If nothing comes out, how do you know the valve opened. Did the handle or cable come off the valve?

+1