Black Tank Stopped Draining?

Update: I got one of the flush adapters for the end of the line, used that and my built in tank flusher and things seem to have returned to normal. Tank drains and the valve works. We are supposed to have 20 deg weather again Thursday night into Friday so I will see if the cold changes anything.

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions.

Terry

Get yourself a clear adapter with a flush hose connection so you can backflush your black tank thru the drain line. This should dislodge any blockage at tank outlet/drain valve and allow you to drain without making a mess.



Either the valve handle is disconnected from valve blade and is not opening
OR
Cutout disc is blocking tank outlet

OK, there have been some questions so let me try to address them.

1. It has been warm for the past week (today about 75) so the frozen pipe should not be an issue. Also the grey which is in the same area is fine.

2. Solids - I am the only one using the system and I know what has been put into it. I have been using it the same way for the past 6 months without issues. Never leave the valve open and only dump when tank is mostly full.

3. Valve - the valve is above the coroplast so I cannot see it, but the handle still feels the same as it has. I can feel a slight resistence at the start of the open travel and the end of the close travel like the valve is working. I have not yet opened anything.

4. Clear Adapter - I do not have one yet, will be getting one ASAP. I cannot hear or feel anything coming out through the slinky hose.

This is such an abrupt change that I am puzzled - when it first happened I was able to get a very slight drain volume and then it stopped completely which makes me think that there may be some debris blocking the line above the valve. I have read stories of the plastic disk let from cutting the tank hole being left inside and causing problems so I am beginning to wonder if I have this issue as well.

Terry

Executive wrote:
Before I'd go too far, I'd check the easy stuff first.

Is the handle still screwed onto the knife valve?...
Is the weather warmed up now?....
How full is the tank?....
Can you put 5 gals of hot water in?....

Try the simple stuff before you go tearing everything apart....JMHO....Dennis

X2 on 5 gal of hot water in the toilet first. Be sure you have a clear attachment on the end of the sewer pipe so you know what's going on.

Just because I am curious; you have been letting the tank fill and then opening the valve to drain and reclosing the valve? How do you know there is not much solids in there? Most likely frozen somewhere between the trailer and the sewer pipe connection

Before I'd go too far, I'd check the easy stuff first.

Is the handle still screwed onto the knife valve?...
Is the weather warmed up now?....
How full is the tank?....
Can you put 5 gals of hot water in?....

Try the simple stuff before you go tearing everything apart....JMHO....Dennis

I'm going to guess that you have an ice clog in the line either between the tank and the valve, or from the valve to the cap. You're going to have to find a way to get some heat into that area of the underbelly to thaw it out.

Can you pull down part of the underbelly and stick a 60 w light bulb up there to add some heat? Another idea if you have one of those oil filled space heaters you can place it under the trailer near the valve and let it heat it through the underbelly from the bottom. You might need to find a way to block the space off though so your heat doesn't blow away.

I'd bet your drain pipe is frozen up.