Introduction
It’s not a matter of debate that RV’s were probably one of the greatest inventions after bread. Well, the two have nothing similar, but they sure make our lives a lot easier.
But like every perk in life, RV’s, too, come with their own pitfalls. One such nuisance is finding the RV grey water tank clogged.
If you’re stuck in the same dilemma, time to melt your worries away. We’ll talk about the possible causes behind the clog and also how you can fix it.
So light up some candles and grab a drink as we guide you through the ins and outs of this problem.
Why may this be happening?
Now, before you jump into fixing the tank, we need to find out where the problem lies.
Well, there’s good news. Cleaning out a grey water tank requires less effort when compared to a black water tank.
That’s because, unlike dirty poo, the grey water tank only holds water from your sinks and showers. Even if it’s a little less daunting, you’ll need to clean every once in a while.
On that note comes our first reason behind a clogged grey water tank.
1. Improper maintenance
Even if there’s no solid waste going in a grey water tank, you’ll need to do a regular cleanup. Or else, you may risk a buildup of oil, grease, or even soap residue.
This dirt, over time, accumulates and clogs up your whole tank. Talk about annoying!
Fret not; this post aims to solve just that. By the end, cleaning out the grey water tank will seem like child’s play.
2. Accumulated waste
When you use your home sink, you can get away with flushing down food bits. Even while showering, once hair slips down the drain, it’s no longer your problem.
But in an RV, you need to be super mindful of everything you flush down. That means scraping off all of your food before cleaning it in the sink.
Moreover, always have strainers in your sink and shower holes to trap any debris.
That way, your grey water tank will be cleaner and you’ll have to deal with a lot less funky smells.
3.Damaged T-handle or valve
The valve is the place from where the tank empties out. If something wrong here or the valve doesn’t open properly, this could be the culprit.
An excellent way to troubleshoot this problem is to check whether your valve is open or not. Unless you have some severe block going on, opening the valve will cause some water to trickle out.
In case you don’t see this, then be sure that the issue is with a faulty valve.
RV Grey water tank clogged: How to fix this?
Enough chit chat; it’s now time to get into the business. Talking about all the reasons behind the clog, won’t get anything done.
Since the clog won’t fix itself, let’s see how we can do it in some easy steps.
Step 1: Drain the black water tank
One last detour before we hit the road. Ask any experienced RVer, and they’ll tell you always to drain and clean out the black water tank before you work on the grey water tank.
Why? That’s because you don’t want dirty poop water to flow into the grey tank and contaminate it. Also, you can clean out your sewer hose with water from the grey water tank.
Next, you’ll want to fill up the black water tank with some plain water, so that it’s easier to flush out the grey water tank later on.
Step 2: Use holding tank treatment
This is the hidden hero that’s going to save the day. A holding tank treatment breaks down any clumps of dirt that may have piled up.
Simply pour the treatment into your grey water tank and then wait for the magic to happen. With so many options in the market, you may be a little confused about which one to pick.
No worries, here are some of our favorites.
| Our top picks of holding tank treatment |
But there’s a small problem. Since some grey water tanks don’t have a direct opening, you may have to fill your bathtubs and sinks with water and the holding treatment.
Next, just drain all of it at once to fill up the grey water tank, and repeat the process if necessary.
After that’s done, go on a long drive and let the water slosh around and unclog any nasty bits.
Step 3: Drain the tank
Find a designated dumping station for dumping the contaminants. Even if all of your friends are simply digging up holes and letting it loose. That’s because it could actually be illegal and you may be unknowingly dirtying groundwater.
Contact your local authorities, and drive to a safe dumping location. Then, just connect a sewer pipe to the dumping hole and open the grey water valve.
If everything has cleared up well and good, you’ll find that the clog is cleared and the tank water is flowing out smoothly.
Step 4: Clean the tank with water
Now, this is an extra step that can make a world of difference. Even after you empty the tank’s contents, there can still be residue clinging to the walls.
Think of a dirty saucepan. After you dump the leftover food, you wash it with water before storing it away, right?
The same concept applies here. So invest in a flush valve or tank rinser, and say hello to squeaky clean water tanks.
Conclusion
That’s it from us on this topic, guys. We hope that it gave you a clear idea of what to do when you find your RV grey water tank clogged.
Before you go, make sure to never dump your water tank in a place where the smell can spread. Even if it’s a grey water tank, be mindful of the environment!
With that being said, goodbye and happy camping!
