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Your comprehensive manual covering all necessary tools, cleaning agents, and instructions for thoroughly clearing your waste tank and hitting the road again without a hitch.
Despite being eager to resume your journey post-emptying your black water waste tank, you might notice an unpleasant odor lingering, signaling the need for a more thorough cleaning.
While rinsing out your waste tank might not be the most glamorous aspect of RV ownership, it's a straightforward process that ensures your plumbing system remains fresh-smelling and fully functional for the remainder of your trip. This article will walk you through the steps to properly empty your tank, soften and eliminate solid debris, and effectively treat your system for odors and bacteria. Let's delve in!
Key Points to Remember
- Begin by emptying both your black and gray water tanks at a designated RV dumping site, then thoroughly rinse and flush both tanks with clean water.
- Fill the tank to ¾ capacity and introduce bleach, a liquid enzyme cleaner, or ice cubes to help soften and dislodge solid waste. Empty the tank once more.
- Utilize either a built-in waste tank rinse system, a flush valve, or a handheld tank wand to backwash the interior of the tank and remove any remaining debris.
- Finally, add 5 quarts (4.7 liters) of water along with a treatment chemical such as an enzyme cleaner, dish soap, citric acid, or yeast to neutralize odors and sanitize the tank.
Procedures
Emptying Your RV's Black & Gray Water Tanks
Park your RV near the sewer inlet of the dump station. Aim to position the valves of your gray and black water tanks within 10 to 20 feet of the inlet, as most RV sewer hoses are of this length. Opt for a level surface to facilitate proper tank drainage.
- If the ground is uneven, utilize jack stands to level the RV.
- Once parked, close the RV's windows and vents to prevent sewage odors from entering the vehicle.
- Wear disposable gloves and closed-toed shoes for personal protection against sewage and germs. Additionally, wipe down valves and hose connectors with disinfectant wipes.
Connect your sewage hose to both the sewer inlet and waste tank valve. Begin by using a transparent sewer fitting to link the hose to the inlet, allowing any excess water in the hose to drain into the sewer. Subsequently, attach the opposite end of the hose to your RV's black water tank valve.
- Locate the 3-inch connection valve on your black water tank, typically situated on the driver's side of the RV.
- Depending on your RV model, there may be either one valve connection for both tanks or separate connections for each.
- The transparent sewer fitting enables visibility to monitor when the tank is empty or if the draining water is clear.
Open the black water tank valve to release toilet waste, then close it. Activate the handle on the hose connection valve's side to open the black water tank, allowing waste to drain completely. Monitor the clear sewer fitting to determine when the flow ceases. Once empty, close the black water tank valve.
- If necessary, utilize sewer hose supports to elevate and angle the hose toward the inlet for smoother waste flow.
- Always empty the black water tank before the gray water tank, as the gray tank's soapy water aids in rinsing sewage from the hose.
- The black and gray water tank valves may feature labels or color coding for easy identification.
Open the gray water tank valve to discharge sink and shower water. Similarly, open the valve to drain all water from the tank, then promptly close it. If your RV has a separate hose connection for the gray tank, ensure to switch the hose from the black tank (ensuring it's closed) to the gray tank before emptying.
- Most RVs have the gray tank valve handle located alongside the hose connection valve.
Rinse both tanks thoroughly with water to dislodge stubborn waste. Use your sink to fill the gray tank and flush the toilet to fill the black tank. Alternatively, connect a non-potable water hose (never your drinking water hose) between the dump station’s water supply and your RV’s tank rinse system (if available, look for a valve labeled “Sewage Rinse” or “Tank Flush”). Fill each tank to about ⅔ capacity.
- Open the black tank valve first to drain it once both tanks are filled, followed by the gray tank.
- After emptying the tanks, close all valves but keep the sewage and non-potable water hoses connected.
Breaking Down Tough Debris
Fill the black water tank approximately 75% full with water. Ensure the black water tank valve is closed, then either flush the toilet or use the non-potable water hose and tank rinse system to fill it. Though it may seem excessive, nearly filling the tank helps facilitate efficient draining and waste removal.
Introduce your chosen waste softener into the black water tank through the toilet. Common treatments include 2 cups (0.47 L) of bleach, 1 fluid ounce (30 mL) of a liquid enzyme cleaner, or even 20 pounds (9.1 kg) of ice with an optional squirt of dish soap. Some companies offer specialized products designed to soften solid waste within the tank. If using one of these, consult the instructions for the precise amount required.
Allow the softening treatment to remain in the tank for at least 10 minutes. For bleach, ensure to empty the tank after 10 minutes to prevent damage to the plumbing system. With enzyme cleaners and similar products, refer to the instructions—some may necessitate several hours for optimal efficacy, while others may require overnight soaking.
- If opting for the ice method, disconnect hoses and take a brief drive in the RV to dislodge stubborn buildup. Return to the dump site afterward.
Ensure the black water tank is fully emptied and rinse it with fresh water once more. Following the treatment with your softening agent, open the valve of the black water tank and drain it again (if you drove with a tank of ice, reconnect the sewage hose first!). Once empty, close the valve, refill the tank with water, and flush it thoroughly.
- Observe the transparent sewer fitting to ensure clarity in the water draining from the tank.
- If bleach was used, continue flushing until no bleach scent emanates from the toilet (as bleach may harm the sewage system).
Reversing the Flow in the Black Tank
Utilize your RV’s integrated waste tank rinse system if available. Connect a non-potable water hose between the dump site’s water source and the valve of the tank rinse system. Open the black water tank valve, then activate the pressure washing valve inside the RV to cleanse the tank thoroughly with water until the runoff is clear.
- Refer to your RV’s rinse system manual for specific instructions, as the rinsing process may vary across different vehicles.
- Note that not all RVs are equipped with a tank rinse system.
- Backwashing involves using pressurized water to spray all interior surfaces of the black water tank to dislodge any persistent or adhering debris.
Perform backwashing using the RV’s flush valve if available (or if installed). Connect a non-potable water hose between the dump station’s water source and the RV’s flush valve or nipple. Open the black water tank valve, then activate the water supply to flush the interior of the tank.
- Monitor the transparent sewer fitting and continue flushing until the water runs clear without any solid waste present.
- Some RVs come equipped with a built-in flush valve in their plumbing system, while others may have one installed aftermarket for easier backwashing.
Employ a tank wand in the absence of a flush valve or rinse system. Disconnect the non-potable water hose from the RV and affix it to the handheld tank wand sprayer. Open the black tank water valve from outside the RV. Insert the wand and hose through a window near the toilet, then lower the wand head through the toilet into the black water tank.
- Depress the toilet flush pedal to keep the toilet bowl valve open.
- Open the shut-off valve on the wand to release the water and maneuver the wand to target all tank walls and the floor.
- Cease spraying once the water draining from the black tank is clear and free of debris.
Attach a macerator pump to shred solid waste if necessary. Employ a macerator if your sewage hose or the black tank valve is obstructed by waste. Ensure the black water tank valve is shut, then detach your sewage hose. Connect one end of the macerator to the tank valve and the other end to the sewage hose. Activate the pump (using electricity or a separate water hose, depending on the pump) to drain and pulverize solid waste.
- A macerator pump removes liquid from the waste tank and utilizes small blades to pulverize toilet paper clumps or hardened waste into a slurry for easy drainage.
- The macerator pump does not aid in rinsing the tank but facilitates efficient draining (particularly if your sewage hose needs to ascend).
Detaching the Hoses
Disengage the sewage and non-potable water hoses from the RV. Ensure all tank valves are tightly closed, then disconnect both the water and sewage hoses from the RV (while leaving them connected to the dump site’s sewer inlet and water supply). Raise the end of the sewage hose to allow any remaining liquid to drain into the sewer inlet.
- Once the sewage hose is empty, utilize the non-potable water hose to rinse the interiors to eliminate any residual debris.
Detach the opposite ends of the hoses from the dump station. Firstly, unhook the sewage hose and subsequently close the sewer inlet cover. Employ the non-potable water hose to cleanse the exterior of the sewer hose, then spray the vicinity surrounding the sewer inlet to remove any spills.
- Upon completion with the non-potable water hose, disconnect it from the dump station’s water supply.
- Take a disinfectant wipe and sanitize the sewer inlet cover, water supply handle, and any other equipment handled during the sanitation process.
- Ensure once more that all sewer inlet covers and tank valves are closed.
Organize your sewage hose and sewer fittings in a dedicated container. Place any hoses or accessories that came into contact with sewage water in a separate container to prevent contamination of other equipment (such as the non-potable water hose). If feasible, link the two ends of the sewage hose together to contain any remaining water.
- Store your hoses in the RV’s basement storage, within hollow bumpers, or in a designated bucket, plastic bin, or beneath storage rack.
- Once all hoses and sewer fittings are stowed away, wipe down compartment handles, valves, or other surfaces with disinfectant wipes.
Black Tank Maintenance
Administer black tank treatment after each trip or before storing the RV. Using a treatment helps neutralize odors and aids in the breakdown of waste. While treating the gray tank is optional, it's unnecessary as it mainly receives soapy water from sinks and showers.
Introduce approximately 5 quarts (4.7 L) of water into the black tank. Ensuring the tank's bottom is covered with water prevents solid waste from accumulating and forming blockages. For larger tanks, more water may be required.
Add black water tank treatment through the toilet. Follow the instructions on commercial treatment products for the correct dosage. Various DIY treatments, such as dish soap or citric acid, can also be effective. Treat the gray water tank similarly if desired.
Allow the treatment to remain in the tank until full, then empty it. Allowing the treatment to sit helps break down waste. Once the black water tank is about ¾ full, empty it at the nearest RV dump station and repeat the cleaning process as needed.
Helpful Tips
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Opt for RV-friendly toilet paper to prevent the formation of large, hard-to-remove wads that could lead to plumbing issues.
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Treat your black water tank at least twice annually, or more frequently if you're a full-time RVer or traveling with a large group.
Important Warnings
- Always wear gloves, closed-toe shoes, and long sleeves when dealing with black water tank maintenance to safeguard yourself against raw sewage and bacteria.
- Do not use the same methods for cleaning and sanitizing the black water tank to clean the fresh water tank.
