Settle a debate regarding sewer hose/smell

[Pinikki36]

We're newbies. Just became full-timers in June.

It stinks in here! We (meaning my husband) has emptied the black water tank, but it still stinks in here (like someone just went to the bathroom). We used Kronen product in our black water tank. That seems to do nothing for the smell. We used Thetfold (what our 5th wheel came with), and that does nothing for the smell.

Do you keep your sewer hose always attached to your rig when you are parked? We're stationed in one spot for 1 month. Should we take the sewer hose off after dumping?

Any guesses on how to get rid of nasty smell?

TIA!

[Coach-man]

OK, first of all these are holding tank, not sewer tanks, you should not have any bacteria helpful or not in your holding tank. The reason you do not put bleach or anything like it in your system (black or grey), is you would hurt the system where you are staying! Do not ever keep your black or grey valves open, smell can come up from the parks swearer system. Your black water tank needs plenty of water to work! When flushing hold down the flusher and count to 5! Start after dumping with 3 to 5 gallons in your black tank. Do not use soap or detergent, that will build up a film inside the tank! Dump the black water tank first, then dump the grey, close both valves and add the water to the black tank! If you still have a smell issue check the valve under the kitchen sink, grey water can really stink! Also make sure you have a water seal at the toilet! Good lu
Ck!

[MTPockets1]

We had odors and after trying various "cures" we finally solved the problem by sealing the gap around the vent pipe where it exits the roof. I removed the cap where the pipe comes out the roof, then sealed around the pipe and replaced the cap... No more hint of odor since sealing all the roof pipes (3).

[Cummins12V98]

kernewek wrote:

old guy wrote:
there is a great debate about putting bleach into a black or grey tank. many professionals say it kills the needed bacteria in the tank.......

I don't know why you would care about having bacteria in the black or grey tanks.....they are only holding tanks, not a septic system

ZACTLY!

[kernewek]

punomatic wrote:

kernewek wrote:

old guy wrote:
there is a great debate about putting bleach into a black or grey tank. many professionals say it kills the needed bacteria in the tank.......

I don't know why you would care about having bacteria in the black or grey tanks.....they are only holding tanks, not a septic system

That much bleach (a whole bottle) is not going to do any good for the septic system you dump the tanks into. I recommend the geo method and/or lots of flushing.

Didn't think about the septic system you are dumping into...I never use additives of any kind anyway, just water and have never had a problem with odors or blockages.

[RoyB]

On our fifth wheel the main reason for us only dumping when the tanks are 3/4 or more full is to have the added pressure flowing out all at once. Leaving the tanks open will only drain when being used and not have much pressure outflow. This will most definitely result in hard cake build up inside your tanks...

We also would dump the BLACK TANK first and then the GRAY WATER - seems to clean up better doing it that way...

Roy Ken

[DiskDoctr]

Make sure after flushing the toilet that you add a little water to the bowl (move lever part way for water only, separate water only lever, or lift floor pedal depending on your model) to keep about an inch or two of water in the bowl.

This prevents odors coming up from below. If it drains out between uses, the seal has problems.

Run a little water down your sink and shower to fill those traps to prevent sewer gas.

Walk around outside trailer. Do you notice any smells? It is summer and CGs are used a lot. It's possible there is a problem not related to you.

And, yes, I'd keep both dump valves closed until you are ready to dump.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

The smell could be coming from the grey tank, just smelling like waste from the black tank. If so check the mechanical vent on the sinks (if present) to ensure they are sealing, if not replace them, they'er cheap and easy to change.
Jim

[jgrimes]

I've never this problem but I agree with all of the above suggestions. In addition, I assume you know to dump the black tank first and then empty the grey tank, which then cleans the hose. If not, you'd definitely have a nasty smell from the hose.

I have seen the "p-trap" in the hose...good idea. I assume you sraighten out the hose while dumping. Otherwise, wouldn't you be providing a potential area for nastiness to linger?

[punomatic]

kernewek wrote:

old guy wrote:
there is a great debate about putting bleach into a black or grey tank. many professionals say it kills the needed bacteria in the tank.......

I don't know why you would care about having bacteria in the black or grey tanks.....they are only holding tanks, not a septic system

That much bleach (a whole bottle) is not going to do any good for the septic system you dump the tanks into. I recommend the geo method and/or lots of flushing.

[SDcampowneroper]

Smells from holding tanks indicate a lower air pressure in the rig than outside. If you have exhaust fans on without an more than equal fresh air window open, then the negative pressure will draw air in through the waste tanks when flushing.
You see, there is no 'P' trap as in a residential toilet there to cut off sewer gas. When you flush, you are open to all there is below.
Another poster said it very well when he suggested creating a trap by elevating a section of your waste hose to create an outside P trap.
However, if you keep your waste water dump valves closed and only dump as needed (wise move-no pun intended) then there should not be any need to or concern about major smells.
Air pressure is the relative issue. When it is low in the rig, air will be drawn in through any open source.

[kohana]

X2 on the water trap in the hose. totaly stopped sewer gas smells for me, also stopped sewer bugs (cochroaches) from getting into my grey tank from the park sewer system

[Paul_Clancy]

Air admittance valve. Almost certainly.

[goducks10]

If you have a black tank rinse then drain your black tank and hookup the BT rinse, leave it running for 20 mins minimum. You need to flush out all the build up. We don't use any chemicals at all. Rinse almost every time we dump. In over a year we've had zero smells. Also keep the ceiling vent closed when dumping.

[Oklahoma_Dan]

A great way to clean that tank is: Camco 40094 Swivel Stik Holding Tank Rinser with Shutoff Valve available with a web search for less than 20 bucks. If you don't have a built-in rinse system this item will high pressure clean what is inside your holding tank and get it gone for good without having to drive around to rinse the tank. Once you do your rinse then using Thetford (which you already know about) should do the trick and make it like a rose garden. Works for me. Also do keep your black water valve closed as previously suggested until it's 3/4 full.