Forum Discussion

Walaby's avatar
Walaby
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2016

Grey tank odor?

So, I winterized the Travel trailer right after my last trip, about a month and a half ago. Drained the low points, the grey tank was drained, black tank had a couple of gallons of water in it (which I always leave). This morning, went I went into the trailer, I smell what was either grey or black tank pretty bad. I believe it is grey tank odor as it is strongest by the kitchen sink, and I have no odor around the toilet.

When I winterized, I did not put anti-freeze in the p-trap. I ran the faucets until I got anti freeze coming out and assumed that would take care of anti-freeze in the P-trap.

I know it shouldn't have this odor, so Im wondering if I am supposed to put water in the grey tank while it's sitting? Im assuming that the p-trap dried out and that's why Im getting the odor, so I put more anti-freeze down the drain as well.

Is there anything else I should be checking?


Thanks

Mike
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2016
    There have been cold days, but not horrible. Few days when the nights get down to low 20's, but hasn't been that way for more than four or five days at a time, and daytime temps were in upper 40's. Temp inside the trailer really hasn't been below freezing, according to the thermometer I have inside.

    Mike
  • Bucky_Badger's avatar
    Bucky_Badger
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2016
    Walaby wrote:


    I know it shouldn't have this odor, so Im wondering if I am supposed to put water in the grey tank while it's sitting?


    Thanks

    Mike

    knowing that you used antifreeze it must be cold..don't put water in the tank, it may crack your drain pipes and valve
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2016
    Well, it was the valve. I went in a few hours afterwards and the odor is all but gone. It was really bad under the sink, and now, after swapping the valve, it's pretty well cleared up.

    Real test is the wife's nose. She's much more sensitive than I am. But, believe it's taken care of.

    Thanks guys.

    Mike
  • Sam_Spade's avatar
    Sam_Spade
    Explorer
    Feb 06, 2016
    But yes it would help prevent future problems by keeping something in the tank. RV antifreeze if you need it; a gallon or two of water with a dash of detergent and bleach otherwise.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2016
    Ok... swapped the air admittance valve. Hopefully that's it. I took the old one off, but hard to tell whether it was bad or not. But, for $6 it's worth it just to swap it.

    We will see... Thanks guys. Hopefully that's the cure.

    Mike
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 06, 2016
    As suggested........air admittance valve

    They are screwed onto a stub pipe (hand tight) and 'open' when you drain grey tank so that 'p' traps don't get sucked dry. Cheap flapper design-----tang gets weak & flapper doesn't fully close allowing grey tank odor back into rig

    Cheap type.......$4-$5



    More expensive styles available but they fail also.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Feb 06, 2016
    Check the air admittance valve under the sink, in the drain line.

    Also put a bucket under your P-trap, in all the sinks. They may have frozen if you only put a little antifreeze in them.

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