Clogged Black Tank

[bettye]

We had a situation with our granddaughter flushing feminine products down the toilet, causing a clog in the black tank. We spent two days trying to clear the clog ourselves and spoke with a couple RV repair services (quotes of $200+). We called a local septic service and they came and suck out the clog through the tank dump in a matter of minutes. $50 bucks.

[sonora]

shadows4 wrote:

skipro3 wrote:

dieharder wrote:

skipro3 wrote:
I have a large wet/dry vacuum. If I had a clogged black water tank, most likely I'd try hooking it up and opening the tank valve. Once I sucked out what ever was clogging, I'd shut the valve and disconnect the vacuum, empty, clean and put it away.

Once you've sucked out whatever is clogging, the rest of what's in the tank would flow out in the rush you regularly hear in your hose before you get to close the valve. Unfortunately, I've had to be there and do that.

I don't know why you were having trouble to close it off. It's just gravity fed. My tank takes several minutes to drain when it's full.

But, in any case, put the vacuum higher than the black tank. Once the clog comes clear, shut off the vacuum and the flow will stop because the hose is higher than the level in the tank.

I usually try to do things myself but.... in this case the $50 bucks the OP paid,sounds like a bargain to me. No way would I want to clean out the shop vac after that!!!!

Borrow the neighbor's shop vac. lol

[shadows4]

skipro3 wrote:

dieharder wrote:

skipro3 wrote:
I have a large wet/dry vacuum. If I had a clogged black water tank, most likely I'd try hooking it up and opening the tank valve. Once I sucked out what ever was clogging, I'd shut the valve and disconnect the vacuum, empty, clean and put it away.

Once you've sucked out whatever is clogging, the rest of what's in the tank would flow out in the rush you regularly hear in your hose before you get to close the valve. Unfortunately, I've had to be there and do that.

I don't know why you were having trouble to close it off. It's just gravity fed. My tank takes several minutes to drain when it's full.

But, in any case, put the vacuum higher than the black tank. Once the clog comes clear, shut off the vacuum and the flow will stop because the hose is higher than the level in the tank.

I usually try to do things myself but.... in this case the $50 bucks the OP paid,sounds like a bargain to me. No way would I want to clean out the shop vac after that!!!!

[Ski_Pro_3]

dieharder wrote:

skipro3 wrote:
I have a large wet/dry vacuum. If I had a clogged black water tank, most likely I'd try hooking it up and opening the tank valve. Once I sucked out what ever was clogging, I'd shut the valve and disconnect the vacuum, empty, clean and put it away.

Once you've sucked out whatever is clogging, the rest of what's in the tank would flow out in the rush you regularly hear in your hose before you get to close the valve. Unfortunately, I've had to be there and do that.

I don't know why you were having trouble to close it off. It's just gravity fed. My tank takes several minutes to drain when it's full.

But, in any case, put the vacuum higher than the black tank. Once the clog comes clear, shut off the vacuum and the flow will stop because the hose is higher than the level in the tank.

[Adam_H]

Bobbo wrote:
Now, present the bill to the granddaughter. Maybe $50 will educate her.

Really?? I hope you are joking!
I would think she feels bad enough already. Sending her a bill would be the fastest way to keep her from camping ever again. SHEESH

[Mr_Mark1]

Just took the two great nieces (both 13 yrs. old) to Hot Springs, AR, to the Magic Springs water park.

I had a quick talk with them that ONLY the 3- P's go in the toilet... Pee, Poop and Paper, NOTHING ELSE. No problems.

MM.

[dieharder]

skipro3 wrote:
I have a large wet/dry vacuum. If I had a clogged black water tank, most likely I'd try hooking it up and opening the tank valve. Once I sucked out what ever was clogging, I'd shut the valve and disconnect the vacuum, empty, clean and put it away.

Once you've sucked out whatever is clogging, the rest of what's in the tank would flow out in the rush you regularly hear in your hose before you get to close the valve. Unfortunately, I've had to be there and do that.

[Ski_Pro_3]

I have a large wet/dry vacuum. If I had a clogged black water tank, most likely I'd try hooking it up and opening the tank valve. Once I sucked out what ever was clogging, I'd shut the valve and disconnect the vacuum, empty, clean and put it away.

[doxiemom11]

We were next to someone who also had really bad odor in a new to them used rv. They talked to the septic guy when he came to do the weekly rv pump in the campground. Had him clean tank with higher pressure sprayer, used some chemicals he gave them - came back the next week and used the pressure sprayer again and got all kind of gunk that had been dried in the tank --- $50 for the whole process including the chemicals. I would highly recommend them over and rv place for problems with clogs and odor.

[Bobbo]

Now, present the bill to the granddaughter. Maybe $50 will educate her.

[Crazy_Ray]

I HOPE YOU HAD A NICE long TALK TO YOUR GRAND DAUGHTER.

[gbopp]

I hope you gave him a nice tip. 🙂

Good idea. Thanks for sharing.

Did they suck it out through the toilet or, hook up to your tank dump?