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Gray water

Weldon
Explorer
Explorer
Gray water from shower and bath lavatory. Can this tank leak if the tank is overfilled?
10 REPLIES 10

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
Per RVIA code, the Black and Gray system MUST be watertight on all the fittings attached to the top of the tank and the exit fittings. The correct way to do a PDI (Pre-Delivery-Inspection) is to fill up both the Black and Gray till water comes up in the shower and the toilet. Then wait 30 minutes. IF NO WATER comes out on the ground, then the system passes inspection. Even RUBBER collars which the ABS pipes are not glued, will hold the water from the shower and the toilet down tube for that 30 minutes. If the down pipes are NOT watertight, then Sewer odors will migrate out the top of the tanks. Doug

naturist
Nomad
Nomad
Does it contain water? Then it can leak.

schlep1967
Nomad
Nomad
Question: Is the drain handle pretty easy to pull to open/push to close? There are four bolts around the gate valve. These apply pressure to keep the o-rings from leaking. I've noticed that if those bolts get loose the gate valve slides easier.
Either way the first thing I would do is open up the belly so I could check the valve area for your leak. If the leak is there it may be as simple as snugging up the bolts. Or maybe replacing the o-ring.
2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ 3500 Diesel
2022 Montana Legacy 3931FB
Pull-Rite Super Glide 4500

LouLawrence
Explorer
Explorer
Old-Biscuit wrote:
YES it can leak

Drains from sink/shower go into top of tank as does the vent pipe
Some RV MFGs glue the pipes to tank fittings
Some RV MFGs use 'grommets' that the pipes slip thru......this type allows for slight movement of tank/pipe but can leak if tank is overfilled

Shower is typically the lowest point so when trank is overfilled it should backup into shower pan.
But that also requires tank level to be high and if grommet is leaking water would come out from there

Also there is the possibility of tank crack


This is also quite true. Depending upon the connections to the vent and the drain at the top of the tank, it could easily cause a leak if the connections are loose. I had a similar issue in my past coach and finally just learned to live with it and ensured I never overfilled the gray.

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
Only way to know for sure is to open the belly and watch. There have been reports of leaks around fittings and leaks due to cracks. Whatever, it shouldnโ€™t leak.

Weldon
Explorer
Explorer
No water in shower, noticed a leak near the handle you pull to drain tank. Had been camped for 3 days. Bottom is enclosed so could not see at the time. Seem to stop within minutes after tank was drained. After our recent snow and freezing temps here in Texas there were no leaks when water supply was turned on and no sound from a water leak. But maybe it had to soak thru insulation before leaking?
Thanks for the comments!

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Explorer II
X2, Ed Gee
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

jdc1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ed_Gee wrote:
In my experience an overfull grey tank will just back up into the shower drain....


True.

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Explorer III
YES it can leak

Drains from sink/shower go into top of tank as does the vent pipe
Some RV MFGs glue the pipes to tank fittings
Some RV MFGs use 'grommets' that the pipes slip thru......this type allows for slight movement of tank/pipe but can leak if tank is overfilled

Shower is typically the lowest point so when trank is overfilled it should backup into shower pan.
But that also requires tank level to be high and if grommet is leaking water would come out from there

Also there is the possibility of tank crack
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

Ed_Gee
Explorer II
Explorer II
In my experience an overfull grey tank will just back up into the shower drain....
Ed - on the Central Oregon coast
2018 Winnebago Fuse 23A
Scion xA toad