Forum Discussion

todde278's avatar
todde278
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013

Gray water plumbing problem

After our last camping outing I noticed a sewer smell in the main area if my camper. U started checking the plumbing to see if there were any breaks. I noticed where the kitchen sink drain goes into the holding tank the connection is not glued together. The top of this connection also goes to the roof vent. After inspection it looks as if there was no glue ever put in this connection. Was this done on purpose for some kind if a slip joint to have some give in it? I am thinking of gluing the pipe into the fitting and using a rubber coupler to connect the two pieces. In the picture I pulled the pipe out of the fitting. It was partially in the fitting when I found it.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cckw18kl62r1x8n/2013-07-07%2011.05.33.jpg

Here is a link to the picture.

Thanks
Todd

8 Replies

  • todde278's avatar
    todde278
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2013
    The original pipe was too short to fit fully in the t coupler to be re-glued. I ended up cutting the small section of pipe and gluing it into the coupler. I got a 1 1/2" rubber coupling to join the two pieces together. So far it seems to work good, no leaks! Hopefully it will last!

    Thanks for the replies
    Todd
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    I can't tell from the pic, but make sure there is enough length of pipe to fully seat the vertical straight pipe into the fitting.

    If not, simply cut it in the middle, add a Fernco hubless (rubber) fitting to join the cut sections of pipe.

    It's possible your tank, floor, whatever has sagged a bit and pulled the joint apart, or it may have been cut too short when mfg.

    I don't remember the size of the pipe (make sure you check), but here is a similar fitting at Home Depot.

    http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1-1-4-in-x-1-1-4-in-Flexible-PVC-Coupling-P1056-125/100055392#.Udn18W2GnDc



    If your tank or straps or whatever are flexing, this will help prevent another failure, too.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    Some things never change. My 1969 Avion C-11 had most of it's ABS joints that were never glued.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2013
    Factory laborer was down to last drop in glue can and called it 'good enough'.

    The drain lines/vent lines etc. should all be fully glued together.

    Sand that pipe and joint then glue it together with ABS glue.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    I would sand the two pieces, wipe, and solvent weld the joint. The picture shows a solvent weld that has failed, looks like insufficient glue applied.
  • Hitch_Pin's avatar
    Hitch_Pin
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    Looking at the joint, it looks like it may have been cleaned with the cleaner, but never glued. The reason I say this is because you can see some kind of ring around the pipe.

    If it were me I would glue it.
  • todde278's avatar
    todde278
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    That's what I was thinking but after inspecting the joint it is clear that there was never any glue put in it! I am not sure if it just got missed or it was intentional.
  • hawkman541's avatar
    hawkman541
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    After looking at your picture. It appears to be a glue connection. Maybe it didn't get enough and broke the glue. Good luck

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