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Wind_Surfer's avatar
Wind_Surfer
Explorer
Jan 19, 2017

The dreaded potty burp, can't eliminate it

Long time RV'r and have dealt with the potty burp before but this time I can't figure it out. Interestingly the pipe connecting the toilet to the tank would sometimes back up implying a 'pyramid'. I would take the cleaning brush and 'push' at the water and it would clear. Pipe to tank is about 3 feet in length.

I have (gently) snaked both the toilet and vent. As far as I can tell there is no "PYRAMID" and the vent is clear.

We have always used plenty of water during usage and have had this rig for 5 years.

Thoughts?

18 Replies

  • myredracer wrote:
    I'd also try cleaning the tank back to factory fresh, factory clean by using some Liquid Drano and seeing if that helps. Will need to drive a little to make it slosh around. A thorough flush & clean every time you dump may help using an in-tank flusher, wand and/or backflush elbow. You might try taking a hose up onto the roof and putting water down the vent pipe (with valve open) and seeing if it backs up.

    We used to have a problem with a pyramid at first until we figured out we needed to add a few gallons of water before using and doing a good flushing/cleaning job before heading home after a weekend trip. Our toilet pipe drops straight down into the tank and is very short. We also use Liquid Drano once or twice a year and it doesn't attack plastic or metal (including seals).

    Some tanks are simply harder to dump and flush due to their size, shape and outlet location on the tank and take more effort to clean regularly.
    You may wish to review what that Liquid Drano really is. The MSDS shows it contains lye and other corrosive materials. It definitely isn't friendly to metal pipes.
  • I'd also try cleaning the tank back to factory fresh, factory clean by using some Liquid Drano and seeing if that helps. Will need to drive a little to make it slosh around. A thorough flush & clean every time you dump may help using an in-tank flusher, wand and/or backflush elbow. You might try taking a hose up onto the roof and putting water down the vent pipe (with valve open) and seeing if it backs up.

    We used to have a problem with a pyramid at first until we figured out we needed to add a few gallons of water before using and doing a good flushing/cleaning job before heading home after a weekend trip. Our toilet pipe drops straight down into the tank and is very short. We also use Liquid Drano once or twice a year and it doesn't attack plastic or metal (including seals).

    Some tanks are simply harder to dump and flush due to their size, shape and outlet location on the tank and take more effort to clean regularly.
  • Agreed that it has to be the vent pipe. I'm pretty sure I got the right one but will re-evaluate today.

    I have used the drain busters before but not in an RV.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    ...push it down toilet line and turn on water. It will expand to size of line sealing it and then blast away with high pressure clearing out line.....


    and pray it doesn't blow the pipes apart and cause further damage. You take a big risk using that thing.

    OP - it sounds like the vent pipe is clogged, are you certain you checked the correct vent?
  • Tank burps when empty after dumping and cleaning.


    That is a blocked/obstructed VENT line.

    UNLESS toilet line to tank is NOT emptying

    Go to Home Depot/Lowes/ACE Hardware and purchase a 'Drain Blaster'
    Screws onto a garden hose, push it down toilet line and turn on water. It will expand to size of line sealing it and then blast away with high pressure clearing out line.
    Then if toilet stills burps.try it on vent line from roof

    They have 3 sizes...get the 1 1/2" to 3" model

  • It does not appear that the vent pipe has moved. I went onto the roof to snake it and all looked normal.

    Are the vent pipes just clear pipes without any type of one way diaphragm type of valve?

    The toilet pipe does make two 45's but snaking the pipe did not bring back any tissue or 'other' things.

    Tank burps when empty after dumping and cleaning.
  • My old fifth used to do this. It had a curved pipe and when getting full it seemed like the tissue would start backing up in the pipe. It would burp and when this happened I know it was time to dump although if I "pushed" it like you did, I would get a couple more days.
  • You said the vent is clear but, did the pipe slide down into the tank?

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