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cbshoestring's avatar
cbshoestring
Explorer II
May 15, 2022

Do NOT blow air into onboard water vent

I know you experts know better. For everyone else

We don't normally use the onboard water. I give it a spring run-through, forget about it.

In a couple weeks we will use it. So, I figured a bit of bleech and a good flushing was called for.

For some reason the vent/overflow screen was on the ground. I reinstalled it. I noticed right away that even low flow of water was causing back-flow. I briefly thought of running a coat hanger into the vent...or maybe hitting it with a blast of air. Luckily, my inner self suggests I remove the vent hose. Flushing it outside of the trailer.

Whatever it was...reminded me of a miniature version of the gunk that clogs the shower drain.

Imagine blowing or pushing that BACK INTO the fresh water tank.

The good news is....tank does its job, pump works. I filled/drained it several times. Gave the system a good flushing. Still probably drink bottled water, but at least I know the toilet will be using safe water.
  • I've had mine plug. I did the coat hanger trick. It worked fine after that.

    I know that what ever the plug was I pushed it into the tank but, I don't drink the water from the tank anyway.
  • RickW's avatar
    RickW
    Explorer III
    cbshoestring wrote:
    I know you experts know better. For everyone else

    We don't normally use the onboard water. I give it a spring run-through, forget about it.

    In a couple weeks we will use it. So, I figured a bit of bleech and a good flushing was called for.

    For some reason the vent/overflow screen was on the ground. I reinstalled it. I noticed right away that even low flow of water was causing back-flow. I briefly thought of running a coat hanger into the vent...or maybe hitting it with a blast of air. Luckily, my inner self suggests I remove the vent hose. Flushing it outside of the trailer.

    Whatever it was...reminded me of a miniature version of the gunk that clogs the shower drain.

    Imagine blowing or pushing that BACK INTO the fresh water tank.

    The good news is....tank does its job, pump works. I filled/drained it several times. Gave the system a good flushing. Still probably drink bottled water, but at least I know the toilet will be using safe water.


    I had mine clog a few years ago. Started to poke, then decided to disconnect the tube from the inside. A mason bee had laid 4 eggs in the tube. Now I have a better screen.
  • I had a 5er that always got pressure in the fresh water tank whenever I filled it. I tracked down the vent and it had a sag, water trap, in it. I tied up the low spot so it couldn't sag and no more problem. I imagine it could get pretty nasty in there! Craig

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