Catfishman
North Texas
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Two days into a trip this week I attempted a routine dump and flush of the black tank. I pulled the valve and, for 5 seconds, the process began with the expected contents exiting through the clear plastic elbow. Then it abruptly stopped and became a dribbling stream. My worst RV nightmare had happened. My very first clogged black tank.
We planned to travel about 100 miles to another campground that day so I plotted my strategy. The tank was about half full. I added some detergent and more water to bring the tank back to about 2/3 full and headed out on the highway. My plan was to allow the contents to slosh around for a couple of hours and dump before setting up at the new site.
When we arrived, not much seemed to change. Very little material passed the blockage. We decided to stay the night and use the park facilities while I plotted another strategy.
The next morning, before heading for home, we added 40 lbs. of ice to the tank. I thought surely that this semi-geo method would do the trick. When we arrived home, I attempted a dump at the RV storage facility. The flow was better, but not strong and complete.
My next strategy is currently working as I type this post. I decided that excess toilet paper was probably the cause of the blockage. I again made sure the tank was almost full and added a full cup of Rid-Ex to the tank. Since it is supposed to degrade paper, oils, and proteins, I decided to park the trailer in storage for a couple of weeks and see what happens.
Has anyone ever had a problem similar to the one described? If so, how did you solve it? I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you might have. Thanks.
* This post was
edited 06/13/08 11:52pm by Catfishman *
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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are you sure you don't have the circle of tank wall cut out problem?
bumpy
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mainetom
Maine, near Augusta
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Catfishman wrote:Two days into a trip this week I attempted a routine dump and flush of the black tank. I pulled the valve and, for 5 seconds, the process began with the expected contents exiting through the clear plastic elbow. Then it abruptly stopped and became a dribbling stream....
Dumping after only two days? If the tank was empty at the start of the trip, maybe that's part of the problem, not enough liquid contents to adequately flush out the other stuff. I'm missing some important details here, but with two of us two days into a trip I wouldn't expect the initial big flow to last much more than 5 seconds. Hopefully you'll get a satisfying big rush through that clear plastic elbow the next time you try. Good luck.
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Perrysburg Dodgeboy
Perrysburg, Ohio USA
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Bumpy being it is a 2002 camper I’m sure that is not his problem unless this is his first trip out.
If the Rid-Ex does not work try adding very hot water to the tank and go for a short trip around the storage area. As you drive around apply your brakes to try and break up the clog. You can also pick up a back flushing elbow and try running water at high pressure back into the tank to break the clog up too.
Don
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Are you sure your vent isn't blocked? Try dumping with the toilet open.
If that doesn't work and you are sure the vent isn't blocked, buy a flush king that will force water back into the tank breaking up the clog as Dodgeboy recommended.
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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You can also try putting one of the end caps on the discharge with a garden hose connection and hook that up to the water supply and apply a little back pressure, blowing anything thats blocking the pipe back into the tank (remeber to open the dump valve and open the water for just a few seconds. Just a note, I wouldn't use my water hose (WHITE). Good luck and happy unblocking Bill
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Catfishman
North Texas
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>>outdoorsman2007 wrote:Are you sure your vent isn't blocked? Try dumping with the toilet open.
If that doesn't work and you are sure the vent isn't blocked, buy a flush king that will force water back into the tank breaking up the clog as Dodgeboy recommended. <<
I have not checked the roof vent. I use a "Quickie Flush" that is located on the opposite side of the tank. I can see where the "Flush King" might be better in this situation. Thanks.
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Catfishman
North Texas
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>>I wouldn't expect the initial big flow to last much more than 5 seconds.<<
The way I described it in the original post might have been misleading. The actual solid waste was no more than expected. Since I knew the tank was full of liquid, the strong flow should have lasted much longer. What happened seemed like someone quickly closed a valve. It was that sudden. Thanks.
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cmartin7143
ILL
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hook-up slinky hose. Raise end of hose much higher that toilet top(hang over spare tire etc). open valve fill allowing slinky to with water. with valve still open raise and lower smoothly to back flush into tank. Do keep the open end higher at all times! Get a good surge rollin. you will hear and feel it! Keep the surge rollin grab open end while insuring surge is farther in hose. stick open end into dump. Now let the whole hose hit the ground. don't let the open end pop out Hold it in! let the beast drain. It kinda like using the hose like a slinky toy only with water in it. Just always stay high with the open end or bad things will happen. think of a 3" gyser of ----. Good luck happy dumpin
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mainetom
Maine, near Augusta
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Polishnurse wrote:You can also try putting one of the end caps on the discharge with a garden hose connection and hook that up to the water supply and apply a little back pressure, blowing anything thats blocking the pipe back into the tank (remeber to open the dump valve and open the water for just a few seconds. Just a note, I wouldn't use my water hose (WHITE). Good luck and happy unblocking Bill
Sounds like an idea that might work, BUT be sure to use one of those anti-backflow thingys to prevent the possibility of the nasty stuff siphoning through the hose and back into the water supply line. Either that or hook up to a water supply that is indicated "non potable," like at dump stations. Just do the procedure for a few seconds, as Bill described, then immediately disconnect one end of the hose or the other to further minimize the chance of back-flow of the bad stuff to where you don't want it.
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