Rain Water in Black Water Tank???

ksg5000 wrote:
Another alternative to EPDM would be Eternabond - popular product used by many RVer's to fix leak issues - comes in a variety of sizes - very effective if you properly prepare the site.

Eternabond would be the way to go unless it's a large area.

Another alternative to EPDM would be Eternabond - popular product used by many RVer's to fix leak issues - comes in a variety of sizes - very effective if you properly prepare the site.

The floor was rotted due to a leak created by a limb that fell and punctured the roof a few years back. He repaired it with a metal tape. I think while I have it somewhere I can work on it I'm going to redo the patch with some of the EPDM material they sell on rolls. Thanks for the info about the probes in the tank KSG5000.

FYI - you may find that your black/gray water electronic probe sensors are seldom very accurate - the probes which determine "height" tend to get covered with "stuff". Every RV parts outlet will sell a device which allows you to hook up a hose to a foot long probe which will allow you to spray the probes clean ... won't last long but it will resolve the problem for the short term.

Have you found the source that rotted the floor?

Chuckles248TB wrote:
Again, I thank you all for your input and I think I've figured out the problem. I'M AN IDIOT! I went over last night and put the fuse for the monitoring panel in and it was only reading 1/3 full. I then got a stick and stuck it down the hole. To my surprise I hit a bottom about 7-8" in. I grabbed a flashlight and went outside, laid down and looked at the holding tank. I was able to get my hand in between the frame and the side of the tank and to my surprise it's only about 7-8" deep! While outside I did notice that the camper isn't quite level so I adjusted my scissor jacks and the water is no longer visible in the tank. I believe that the last time it was drained the previous owner may not have gotten everything out of it and since it was not level the little bit of water in the tank had all run to one side making it appear more full than it actually was. I sincerely hope that this being my first post I am not on a fast track to becoming the "boy who cried wolf!" Thank you all and I wish you a Happy New Year! Stay tuned for my next brain fart...

I had a similar issue I posted about a while ago. In the long run I found that my black tank was completely empty and for some reason it "appeared" full and I thought I had a clog. I did the same same thing as you and stuck a piece of pvc pipe into the toilet and hit bottom with no water line on the pvc. This told me the tank was empty. I fretted over this for a week after coming home from the lake because I couldn't devote much time to it until the following Saturday. I felt like a fool when it was all over. Live and learn.

Thanks for taking the time to get back to the gang. Good form. Glad you got it figured out. Have fun with your new rig and check back when the gremlins pop up again.

Again, I thank you all for your input and I think I've figured out the problem. I'M AN IDIOT! I went over last night and put the fuse for the monitoring panel in and it was only reading 1/3 full. I then got a stick and stuck it down the hole. To my surprise I hit a bottom about 7-8" in. I grabbed a flashlight and went outside, laid down and looked at the holding tank. I was able to get my hand in between the frame and the side of the tank and to my surprise it's only about 7-8" deep! While outside I did notice that the camper isn't quite level so I adjusted my scissor jacks and the water is no longer visible in the tank. I believe that the last time it was drained the previous owner may not have gotten everything out of it and since it was not level the little bit of water in the tank had all run to one side making it appear more full than it actually was. I sincerely hope that this being my first post I am not on a fast track to becoming the "boy who cried wolf!" Thank you all and I wish you a Happy New Year! Stay tuned for my next brain fart...

I suggest the use of the scientific method, otherwise known as “guess and test.” There have been several good ideas presented thus far, poop pyramid, roof leak, backup, etc., but you will never know what is causing the issue, until you run simulations.

The easy way is to take it in for service and pay the man. Lots of good people let the pros handle issues pertaining to black tanks. However, there are those individuals who are, ah, frugal, and relish the chance to play detective and are pretty good at solving RV holding tank problems.

If you are in the latter category, you may want to start by emptying the holding tank, while making absolutely sure it is dry. Next, determine if you have a gunk buildup. If so, by using a stick or dowel, approximate the displacement of the gunk and compare it to the volume listed by the manufacturer. Angle the probe, if necessary and spin in a circular motion.

After ruling a pyramid as in or out, use the stick to measure the depth of the water in the holding tank, while running a scenario on the most likely culprit, first. Then try the next possibility. You do have some insight as to where to start, after rain caused a rise in water level. Where does rain come from? Up! I’d start there with a hose and a five gallon bucket.

For example, tape off an area so that the test water is only applied to a very small space. Fill the bucket and pour it on the site. Test for effect or more precisely, how much of the five gallons can be found in the holding tank? Give the matter a half hour, because leaks sometimes run slowly. Also, it is important to be meticulous in only applying water to the target area, especially since liquids don’t always run straight down hill.

Importantly, all roof penetrations should be suspect, including doors, windows, and awning attachments. Search Phred’s Poop sheets and “Handling Moisture in RVs.”

After five RVs, I have come to the conclusion that loose or the wrong type of caulk is the most likely suspect for leaks and this is especially true on antenna installations and above an entry door that has pulled away from the wall over time.

This situation can be remedied and if it were me, I would not go the storage area route. An experienced RVer would not let this test of his integrity be settled without a fight. And the only way to get experienced is to fail until you pass.

Good luck.

Depending on how the trailer is parked, the lip on the drain vent may not be high enough to stop the in flow of "pooling water" on the roof. Its no big deal normally, as it basically would just add "some water" to the tank. Big in an "unattended trailer" without drains opened, it could be an issue depending on how well some of the below floor seals are holding up especially on a 1995.