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tylerhomesteadm's avatar
Mar 23, 2016

blocked black & grey water tanks

Im in a 99 rexhall rexair, i went to drain the tanks like normal, apparantly i left the valves open last time, after i used the flush system for 5 minutes i opened the valve. i had mainly fluids come out than it clogged, tried to fill it up to push it out (which had worked previously) now im stuck with an almost full tank and a clog. A tiny amount of fluid seems to build up past the clog when you leave it alone for awhile. After research im fearing a pyramid. I even tried filling up the sewer line with water and lifting it above the tank to back flush it, but it didnt work. Also tried taking it for a short drive. My wife dumped a gallon of bleach down the drain yesterday. In a week ill be taking it for a 4-5 hour drive.

Best thing i got on my own is treat it with some ridx and drive it in a week and hope it dumps whe i get there. This however is not ideal obviousy.

Calling a professional is a last resort and i dont need advice on how to do that :)

27 Replies

  • Rid-X won't do a thing to help if a gallon of bleach was already poured into the tank. It would kill all the good microbes which break down solid waste. It also takes some time to be effective even if bleach was not in the tank.
  • schwartzworld wrote:
    Would it be possible to drive the RV onto boards so it's tilted away from the hose connection? Then you could get the blockage out of there, set the RV level and drain.


    I have hydraulic jacks i could tilt it, afterwords Could i hook up a brass high pressure nozzle to a garden hose and try to break it up like that, ive got a little water space in the tank to work with
  • Would it be possible to drive the RV onto boards so it's tilted away from the hose connection? Then you could get the blockage out of there, set the RV level and drain.
  • X-2 on using a snake or flexible rod to poke at the clog.

    Unfortunately could lead to a messy embarrassing moment if your not careful and ready for the break up.
  • You may be able to siphon or pump most of the liquid out through the toilet. At least get enough out that when you drive it there is room for some sloshing around of contents. If that doesn't work you are going to need a really good friend to help you. One hold the slinky and the other on feed a snake up the drain line (if I was the friend you would be holding the slinky). Poke a hole through whatever is blocking the tank opening. Once it is open retract the snake and get the slinky hooked up. As the water flows it should open up a larger hole. After the tank is drained get back in there with the snake and work it through the opening of the tank several times to bust everything up. Fill and flush to get the rest cleaned out.

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