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Open Roads Forum  >  General RVing Issues

 > Bad smell

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pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Posted: 05/02/12 05:23pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi,

Does it smell like rotten eggs?

Can you characterize the smell for us?


Regards, Don
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falconman

On The Road!!

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Posted: 05/02/12 05:35pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Most trailers have Air addimittance valves to aid with grey water tank venting. These are in addition to the vents that run from the tank directly to the roof. You may find several, usually under the sinks and near the shower drain pipe. You might have to remove some cabinet drawers to find them. They act as a one way valve to alllow air into the drain pipe while draining. They are spring loaded to close when not needed. They are mechanical so they will fail, resulting in the grey water odor inside the unit. Easy to replace and not expensive, available at most hardware stores. Now, these are really cheaply constructed and there are much better ones which cost much more which I recommend. However, they are usually larger in size, so verify they will fit.

YNOTRIDE

Corona, CA

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Posted: 05/02/12 05:49pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If I was in your situation I would go spend 3 bucks on a few gallons of bleach. I would pour one gallon in my fresh tank then fill it full of water. And another gallon in my Grey tank.

I would then run all my faucets for a few minutes from the fresh water tank to get the bleach in all my lines.

After letting it sit overnight I would drain my fresh and grey tanks and refill with fresh water and repeat the steps above a few times with clean water only.


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klm

SIOUX FALLS, SD

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Posted: 05/02/12 05:56pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Drain the water heater, if it has an anode rod - replace if necessary. Otherwise, get a wand and flush out the water heater tank - you will be surprised at all the "glunk" that is in there. And, yes - it stinks.


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PI_Tom

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Posted: 05/02/12 06:13pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Does the unit have a water heater? If so, how long has it been since it was used? If the smell resembles rotten eggs the water heater may be your issue. You can remove the anode and flush the tank before storing, make sure the water heater tank is empty. In the alternative, you can buy a coach with Hydronic Heating to eliminate the water heater.


Tom C

dbbls

Missouri

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Posted: 05/02/12 06:16pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

YNOTRIDE wrote:

If I was in your situation I would go spend 3 bucks on a few gallons of bleach. I would pour one gallon in my fresh tank then fill it full of water. And another gallon in my Grey tank.
DO NOT POUR ONE GALLON OF BLEACH INTO YOUR FRESH WATER TANK! You will be forever getting the smell out. One fourth cup is the recommended amount.


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Johnworth914

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Posted: 05/02/12 06:20pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

YNOTRIDE wrote:

If I was in your situation I would go spend 3 bucks on a few gallons of bleach. I would pour one gallon in my fresh tank then fill it full of water. And another gallon in my Grey tank.

I would then run all my faucets for a few minutes from the fresh water tank to get the bleach in all my lines.

After letting it sit overnight I would drain my fresh and grey tanks and refill with fresh water and repeat the steps above a few times with clean water only.


I think the idea of sanitizing the tanks is not bad, but the amounts are way to much. That much bleach can damage the tank sensors and even the drain valves.

A few ounces per tank is more than enough.

I also agree that the water heater should be drained and thoroughly cleaned

Have you checked for a wasps ( or bird) nest in the vent pipes?


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rondeb

Pacific Northwest

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Posted: 05/02/12 07:10pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

It may be as simple as one of the p-traps may be void of water and letting smells in. Pour water into all traps including shower, etc. and Maybe? I know that the gray tank can smell horrible.

fla-gypsy

North Florida

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Posted: 05/02/12 07:20pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My guess (thats all it is) is the water heater (they can develop a bad smell if not drained occassionally) a trap that does not have water in it (run water into every drain) or an inside vent that is not working properly. All of these can be checked and eliminated quickly


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J-mans Dad

SF Bay Area

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Posted: 05/02/12 11:16pm Link  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Quote:

The funny thing is that I smell it the most in the storage unit under the pin and the large one next to it, but there is no water spots anywhere.

Sounds like a battery being overcharged. Does it smell like rotten eggs?

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