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

Open your gray tank discharge valve and see if anything comes out. If nothing comes out, try shoving either a plumbing snake or a flexible garden hose up the pipe. If something is clogging or if the valve is closed when you think it's open, you won't be able to shove the snake or the water hose up into the tank.It's possible, you have a clog, and shoving something up the pipe into the tank from the outside might free it up. (be prepared to get a bath when it breaks free).If the grey tank is clear, then you know the clog is somewhere between the sink and the grey tank in the drain plumbing.Tearing the underbelly of your camper will not accomplish anything, except give you more work to do to replace it. You won't be able to see anything clogged through the black pipe anyway, and you don't want to dismantle anything as it's all glued together. Start cutting things apart and your in for some REAL work to replace it all.If the gray tank is really empty, then proceed with a snake down the kitchen drain. Avoid drain opener chemicals. Not that they will hurt the pipes. No they will not, but the caustic affects of drain openers will not be pleasant if it get's on you, your clothing, or anywhere on your camper. That's how I'd approach it, initially. Question? do you put grease and garbage down the kitchen sink in your camper? Bacon grease, animal fat, beef grease, gravy, and such will clog a drain for sure. Potato peels are a disaster for drain, as are other clipping from vegetables. Always wipe your dishes with paper towel and dispose in the trash before washing in the sink. Always absorb any grease in pots and pans with paper towel and discard in the trash before washing. These are enemies for your drains. The same is true in your stick & brick house too.If you need cheap paper towels, go to Lowes or Home Depot and pick up a box of paper shop towels. They are inexpensive, and absorb much better than any kitchen paper towel I've ever used. We use paper shop towels for everything now. The blue in the roll or the white in a box are both great! Sanitary? They are as sanitary as any "Bounty" you'll buy.

I am not familiar with your particular FW, but do you possibly have three holding tanks. Some units have two grey tanks; one for the bath and another for the kitchen.If you have electric remote operated valves, then you will have to find it. A call to the manufacturer or dealer may give you the valve location.

If the valve is concealed in the underbelly, the rod may have become disconnected from the valve.

If shower and bathroom sink are draining, sounds like a 3rd tank..galley tank. One fifth wheel I had, the handle was behind the 2nd axle. I also have a galley tank in my current unit. No galley drain, maybe slide valve is not opening? Other than that, snake it. I would try snake in sink first, then go to drain on outside and try from there. Be prepared.

RVUSA.com spec sheet shows the 2012 Cedar Creek 36B4 with 2 grey tanks. 99+% that there's another dump valve Vinny's not seeing.Lyle

Clogged Drain | Good Sam Community

ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jun 14, 2017
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
Explorer
Jun 14, 2017
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
Explorer III
Jun 12, 2017
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
Explorer
Jun 12, 2017
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
Explorer
Jun 12, 2017
VinnyP??? Did you ever figure out what the problem was? What was it? How did you resolve it?
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 03, 2017
"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
Explorer
Jun 03, 2017
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
Explorer
Jun 03, 2017
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
Nomad
Jun 01, 2017
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
Explorer
Jun 01, 2017
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.

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