Anyone else get sewer smells underway...

[bobioknight]

Normally when we travel on steep bumpy grades. What happens in our situation is the traps empty out which allows gasses to back into the coach, so we toss a couple glasses of water into each drain to refil them and that stops the smell. We also pour water into zip lock bags and toss one on top of each drain, so if the trap goes dry we don't have to worry about the smell. Is this common?

[chuckster52]

Originally Posted by bobioknight

Normally when we travel on steep bumpy grades. What happens in our situation is the traps empty out which allows gasses to back into the coach, so we toss a couple glasses of water into each drain to refil them and that stops the smell. We also pour water into zip lock bags and toss one on top of each drain, so if the trap goes dry we don't have to worry about the smell. Is this common?

yes,it does happen.....but if you look under the sink...you will see a spring loaded cap then prevents this..but the spring wears out....can easily unscrew and replace....both Lowes and Home Depot carry them..Chuck

[CoCoDave]

Here are some examples of the vents to which chuckster52 refers.



Also, here's a link to an article about holding tank odor control as it relates to plumbing.

Holding Tank Odor Control (Venting)

FWIW

[bobioknight]

I will replace these tomorrow. Thanks for the info guys. I bet this will end my trouble.

[bcbounders]

If replacing the air admittance valves doesn't solve your problem, you may want to consider adding 360 Siphons to the exhaust vents for your black and gray tanks. These create a slight vacuum (through the venturi effect created by air moving over the airfoil shape... with NO MOVING PARTS!) in your tanks to ensure that odors can't get pulled into your coach.

Here's a video about them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xX60cCHwlM

[ChallengerRN]

Try closing all windows and running the AC. We had had times where air moving thru the coach will pull sewer smells up thru the commode. When we close all windows it would stop ??

Russell

[BarneyM]

Originally Posted by bobioknight

Normally when we travel on steep bumpy grades. What happens in our situation is the traps empty out which allows gasses to back into the coach, so we toss a couple glasses of water into each drain to refil them and that stops the smell. We also pour water into zip lock bags and toss one on top of each drain, so if the trap goes dry we don't have to worry about the smell. Is this common?

Start using Happy Camper. The problem will go away, really. I don't even get odors when dumping the tanks!

Happy Camper - Odorless Holding Tank Treatment Black and Grey Water

[stkhlm]

Not sure what model coach you have but on our 2000 Intrigue I changed the one out under the bathroom sink and still had smell. Discovered a second one behind the vanity drawers for the shower. Replaced it and no problem with smell since. We also started using Happy Camper also.

[BeachDude]

Place drain plugs on each sink when in transit.

That prevents the grey tank gasses from coming up the drain itself, when the water that is normally always sitting in the p-trap is bumped out.

My coach has a kitchen and 1/2 bathroom sink plumbed into a black tank! Those drain plugs are the 1st thing I make sure are in place, (as well as draining my black tank if possible), before we leave.

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by bcbounders

If replacing the air admittance valves doesn't solve your problem, you may want to consider adding 360 Siphons to the exhaust vents for your black and gray tanks. These create a slight vacuum (through the venturi effect created by air moving over the airfoil shape... with NO MOVING PARTS!) in your tanks to ensure that odors can't get pulled into your coach.

Here's a video about them:

If these gizmo's pull air out of the black tank, where does the replacment air, get into the black tank ?

[dennis45]

I have been using Happy Campers for years in both black and grey tanks. But every once in a while I would get that grey tank smell. I traced it to the washer and found the open drain stack so got some plumbers putty and sealed it off. Things were great for a while and back came the smell. Again from the washer area. So I ran the washer with a scoop of HC and the smell was gone.
Now it's part of the routine to run HC through the washer (no clothes) every couple months or so even if we are using the washer.

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by BarneyM

Start using Happy Camper. The problem will go away, really. I don't even get odors when dumping the tanks!

Happy Camper - Odorless Holding Tank Treatment Black and Grey Water

Is that stuff a liquid? The instructions say use 1 oz for 30 gallons.

Also, do you have to buy that online, or can you get it locally in a store (CW,Walmart, etc.)?

[96 Wideglide]

It's a powder. You disolve a scoop in a full toilet bowl with your toilet brush.
It works better than anything I've found .
I got it in a RV store in Quartsite. Wish I had picked up a few. I've never seen it sold here in Canada.

[bcbounders]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

If these gizmo's pull air out of the black tank, where does the replacment air, get into the black tank ?

Basically, these "siphon" style vent caps make sure there's always a little suction pulling up on the vent stacks. That way, when you flush the toilet, a little air from the bathroom gets pulled downward INTO the tank... instead of smell from the tank floating up into your nose!