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Boddhisattvha's avatar
Boddhisattvha
Explorer
Aug 31, 2013

Advice/tips on changing a toilet? Grey water drain cleaners?

Hey everyone,
I have a two fold question. My first question is about replacing a toilet. I have a 19 ft Hi Lo from 1985 that I am about to swap out the original toilet for a new one. In fact I'm installing this toilet.

I've changed many a toilet in a standard home and I'm wondering if there are any differences? For example do I need a wax seal? If so is it a special wax seal or the standard will work?

Also does anyone know what the grey semi flexible piping is called? The entire trailer is plumbed with it and I need to make some changes to it so I can install the new toilet. The flush pedal is on the opposite side on my new toilet.

It appears really straight forward but past experience has taught me that with RV's it rarely is as it appears.

Second question is about using drain cleaners for my grey water lines. My local hardware store has a formaldehyde free drain cleaner for septic systems that uses only natural enzymes. It says it's safe on any surface that isn't harmed by water. Anyone have any experience with this? I'm just trying to avoid having to special order the drain cleaner and pay shipping on it.
Thanks in advance!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 31, 2013
    Toilet.......

    Turn off water supply
    Disconnect water line to toilet
    Remove the hold down bolts (just like residential)
    Remove toilet

    Clean floor flange....install gasket that comes with new toilet
    Set toilet
    Tighten hold down bolts......snug, just enough to compress gasket and so toilet is solid
    Hook up water supply (NOW is a good time to install a shut off valve)
    Turn on water and check for leaks/toilet operation

    As for the grey tank (and black tank) cleaners........unless tanks are really dirty with crud built up FORGET about all them chemicals, deodorizers, enzymes etc. The tanks are HOLDING tanks not septic tanks.
    Dump them when they are full (almost full---higher the level the better)
    Rinse/flush
    Add couple gallons back into tank after dumping----keeps tank bottom wet so crud doesn't build up/dry out and STINK

    Water is the only chemical you really need.
  • Boddhisattvha's avatar
    Boddhisattvha
    Explorer
    Aug 31, 2013
    Thanks for the response. I actually found this videothat pretty much told me just about everything I need to know.

    My issue with the grey lines is that the sink in the kitchen is draining pretty slow so I think I've got some build up. I'm not concerned with the tanks themselves, just the lines.

    And do you know what the lines are made of? They aren't pvc, cpvc, or abs.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 31, 2013
    Remove the sink 'P' trap and clean it out
    With 'P' trap out stick garden hose down drain line and flush it out.

    What color is the drain line..grey?
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2013
    T thought all drain is ABS plastic, which adapts to all P traps etc etc.

    Any grey tubing is PB polybutylene, which cracks when frozen. Any mods to pressure line, use PEX tubing w/ "Flair-it" fittings, found at any hardware store and RV supplys
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2013
    I'll just add a tip about the water lines to it.

    I took off old toilet. Went to put new one in and soon realized I didn't figure for the height of the new toilet and the water line was too short. Did this while on the road and could NOT find a store to buy the lines, crimps or extension material.......Had to take new one off and put old one back on. :(
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Sep 01, 2013
    There are "Shark Bite" fittings for COPPER tubing, and similar ones for the "PEX" tubing used in RV water systems. Just cut the tubing clean and square, push into the fitting, it's done.
    I raised our toilet (Thetford AquaMagic IV) using a Pedestal. I found that a PEX shutoff valve (Shark Bite design) added about the height of the pedestal to the length of the supply line. Cut the line and installed the shutoff valve I wanted anyway. Came out just right.
    EDIT: Oh, RV toilets use a Foam Ring instead of the Wax Ring we use at home. Much less messy.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2013
    Note,
    On 1/2" or smaller, there is absolutely no reason to ever use crimps on Pex tubing, except CHEAP, and that's only if you already have the expensive crimper tool. Crimps are used by many MFGs for one reason only, CHEAP.

    I myself use all "flair'it" fittings, what all RV stores, and most hardware stores sell.
  • Boddhisattvha's avatar
    Boddhisattvha
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2013
    RJs,
    A quick glance through Lowe's Hardware which is a hardware store near me shows PEX crimp fittings or compression fittings. Can you post a link to the flair fittings you are talking about so I know what I am looking for?

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