Clogged Drain

[VinnyP]

My gray water tank won't drain. While washing dishes this morning the sink started filling up. I thought at first that I had left the dump valve closed but when I went to open it it was already open, at least the handle was in the open position. Checked the monitor panel and it read full. I guess the question is, do you think I've got a clog or am I going to have to start taking the underbelly down to locate the actual gate valve? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I've got the rest of the week to ponder this, won't be back at camper until Friday.
PS: This problem is on the Cedar Creek

[ford_truck_guy]

Good to hear the problem is solved...

Another valve open guy here, till its the day before leaving, then they get closed to gather up some stinky slinky wash/rinse water...

[VinnyP]

Couldn't dislodge clog with a snake. TLC RV (highly recommended) had to remove a section of black pipe, then a section of underbelly. Opened up a section of waste pipe and found clog where the gray waste line joins the 3 inch black line. Not sure of the cause, but George of TLC thought the trailer may not be leveled properly causing things to not flow smoothly. Sure enough when I checked we were off level by about two inches. Leveled it off and things have been flowing smoothly ever since. Fingers crossed!!
Thanks for the input everyone.

[Cummins12V98]

DReisinger wrote:
As mentioned previously, you may have a grey tank for the galley. I did and didn't realize it. After bursting the tank with to much pressure trying to flush drain line,a new tank was ordered and a $ 600.00 lesson was learned. By the way, old tanks make good lube plates for the hitch.

FYI the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket makes good lube plates also. Just at a little less expense. 😉

[DReisinger]

As mentioned previously, you may have a grey tank for the galley. I did and didn't realize it. After bursting the tank with to much pressure trying to flush drain line,a new tank was ordered and a $ 600.00 lesson was learned. By the way, old tanks make good lube plates for the hitch.

[DutchmenSport]

VinnyP??? Did you ever figure out what the problem was? What was it? How did you resolve it?

[Cummins12V98]

"If 12 valve has been doing this for years, and still does not know when to drain the tanks, so they won't back up into the shower, then there is not much hope! "

NICE! Looks like the Moderator had to clean up your post, I can see why.

I don't waste my time worrying about how full my tanks are, I have a weekly routing and it works VERY WELL!!!

Gauges? What a joke.

[Coach-man]

laknox wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
The problem is you leave the valves open! The system is not designed to do that, you get build up and it clogs the pipe. To try and fix it you need to open the hot water faucets and hope it is enough to dissolve the build up! Both tanks, black and grey are called "holding" tanks. They are called that for a reason, they hold the contents, and then are drained. This action "sweeps" out any build up and keeps them clean! If you are able to get the tank clean, please do yourself a favor, and keep the valves closed, until the tank is full, then drain! Simple concept, why do so many people think they know more than the engineers who designed and built these systems?

When hooked to sewer I have left my grey tank open, been doing so for many years and full timing for nearly 6. I do once a week turn on tank spray, close valve and fill tank while doing black tank then open.

Never been a fan of being in the shower with the pan filling from the tank being full.

Personally, that's why I check the monitor =before= I get in the shower. :B Also, DW knows where the grey water handle is... :B

Lyle

Do what you want, but the bottom line is the tanks are called "Holding" Tanks! They are called that for a reason. Whether black or gray, you have solids in suspension, in order for them to drain properly you need pitch, (which is what you should have at home). That pitch allows the liquids to quickly run down the pipe, carrying the solids with it. In an RV, the tank is flat, and level if you did your job correctly when setting up. There is no pitch, yes the liquid will find the lowest point and drain, but but nearly fast enough to carry the solids. Every post I have seen, about clogged smelly tanks, the op states they leave the valves open on full hook ups, (To lazy to go out and drain the tanks?)!

If 12 valve has been doing this for years, and still does not know when to drain the tanks, so they won't back up into the shower, then there is not much hope! One you have a gauge, check it! Two you should know how much water your family uses, and can figure out how long you can go before draining the tanks! It is not rocket science, it can be done!

[ventrman]

I always leave both Tanks closed. When the Gray Water Tank is full, I empty the Black Water Tank, then the Gray Water Tank. I then close both Tanks till the next Time. It works well for us. It has also eliminated any Odors.

[laknox]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
The problem is you leave the valves open! The system is not designed to do that, you get build up and it clogs the pipe. To try and fix it you need to open the hot water faucets and hope it is enough to dissolve the build up! Both tanks, black and grey are called "holding" tanks. They are called that for a reason, they hold the contents, and then are drained. This action "sweeps" out any build up and keeps them clean! If you are able to get the tank clean, please do yourself a favor, and keep the valves closed, until the tank is full, then drain! Simple concept, why do so many people think they know more than the engineers who designed and built these systems?

When hooked to sewer I have left my grey tank open, been doing so for many years and full timing for nearly 6. I do once a week turn on tank spray, close valve and fill tank while doing black tank then open.

Never been a fan of being in the shower with the pan filling from the tank being full.

Personally, that's why I check the monitor =before= I get in the shower. :B Also, DW knows where the grey water handle is... :B

Lyle

[djousma]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Coach-man wrote:
The problem is you leave the valves open! The system is not designed to do that, you get build up and it clogs the pipe. To try and fix it you need to open the hot water faucets and hope it is enough to dissolve the build up! Both tanks, black and grey are called "holding" tanks. They are called that for a reason, they hold the contents, and then are drained. This action "sweeps" out any build up and keeps them clean! If you are able to get the tank clean, please do yourself a favor, and keep the valves closed, until the tank is full, then drain! Simple concept, why do so many people think they know more than the engineers who designed and built these systems?

When hooked to sewer I have left my grey tank open, been doing so for many years and full timing for nearly 6. I do once a week turn on tank spray, close valve and fill tank while doing black tank then open.

Never been a fan of being in the shower with the pan filling from the tank being full.

Agreed with leaving gray tanks open while on full hookup. Likewise, always leave black tank CLOSED until full or leaving, for the very reasons you mention. Can't think of how there could be any buildup in the gray tanks.

[Cummins12V98]

Coach-man wrote:
The problem is you leave the valves open! The system is not designed to do that, you get build up and it clogs the pipe. To try and fix it you need to open the hot water faucets and hope it is enough to dissolve the build up! Both tanks, black and grey are called "holding" tanks. They are called that for a reason, they hold the contents, and then are drained. This action "sweeps" out any build up and keeps them clean! If you are able to get the tank clean, please do yourself a favor, and keep the valves closed, until the tank is full, then drain! Simple concept, why do so many people think they know more than the engineers who designed and built these systems?

When hooked to sewer I have left my grey tank open, been doing so for many years and full timing for nearly 6. I do once a week turn on tank spray, close valve and fill tank while doing black tank then open.

Never been a fan of being in the shower with the pan filling from the tank being full.

[Coach-man]

The problem is you leave the valves open! The system is not designed to do that, you get build up and it clogs the pipe. To try and fix it you need to open the hot water faucets and hope it is enough to dissolve the build up! Both tanks, black and grey are called "holding" tanks. They are called that for a reason, they hold the contents, and then are drained. This action "sweeps" out any build up and keeps them clean! If you are able to get the tank clean, please do yourself a favor, and keep the valves closed, until the tank is full, then drain! Simple concept, why do so many people think they know more than the engineers who designed and built these systems?

[Dave_H_M]

Vinny did not tell us if this is new to him camper or if he has been draining the tank in the past with no problem :h

my shower and bath sink grey tank and the black tank handles are to the left of the dump tube and the sink dump valve is located to the right of the dump tube.

[fla-gypsy]

Keep looking and you will most likely find the valve that operates that tank otherwise your valve is broken and must be replaced