Community Forums

roadstar99 · 08-27-2014, 03:00 PM

I really hate to admit this but my husband thought he'd pulled the drain on the black water tank and proceeded to turn on the rinse to clean it out.. He came running into the RV and asked, "Do you know any reason that sewage would be blowing out the roof of the Motorhome?" I did not. I asked if he was sure he pulled the valve because I could hear the rinsing from the holding tank. He jumped and ran outside and found that to be the case. He was pumping water under pressure into the tank and it blew everything in it out the vent tube on the roof. It was literally "raining" sewage! Thank goodness our neighbors were gone, their awning put up and chairs up as it sprayed onto part of their campsite. We used a lot of Dawn and water and cleaned everything up but so embarrassed. Glad no one else saw it.
Thought this might give newbies a heads up to make sure they pull the valve before turning on the rinse. We are not newbies. We've been RV-ing since 1994. Sometimes you just get too much going on and forget what you are doing. I may get a sign made to pull valve and place on the plumbing. I made a sign to "pull brake or die" and put it right above the brake pull as my husband has had to chase that monster down a couple of times. How come it never moves until you get out?

damdannyboy · 08-27-2014, 03:40 PM

That's so not funny,

so why am I laughing?

damdannyboy

"007" · 08-27-2014, 03:41 PM

ARRR a

RV moment

, seems they made a picture about that event .

Its at the end of video.

Rich and Cork · 08-27-2014, 06:04 PM

Not quite the same, but he is in good company with Robin Williams:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvbHh7qa5P8

Wish I could have found a better video.

Pigman1 · 08-27-2014, 07:10 PM

I had some friends with a large 5th wheel. They disconnected their water due to forecast overnight freezing temps. After a minor medical problem, a neighbor offered to reconnect the water as the husband was at the doctors'. Unfortunately, he hooked it to the black tank flush rather than the water. Their 5'er had the black tank vented into the attic, rather than through the roof. They had sewage dripping The 2 year old rig was totalled by the insurance company.

mojoracing · 08-27-2014, 10:26 PM

I did it a few weeks ago. Thankfully I had already drained the tank so what came out the roof vent was fairly clean. It happened in my driveway so no witnesses. Wife came out just after it happened and asked what I was doing......I told her I was washing the roof.

Dr4Film · 08-27-2014, 10:37 PM

Another RV The Movie - Robin Williams moment!

Dr4Film ----- Richard

RV Wizard · 08-28-2014, 02:28 AM

You more than likely got some in the attic as well. It is rare that the top vent caps are tightly sealed to the actual vent stack pipe. They only cover the top area and the hole in the roof and the vent are larger than the vent pipe. Good luck and keep us posted.

roadstar99 · 08-28-2014, 06:19 AM

We laughed ourselves silly watching Robin Williams in movie RV, never dreaming the sewer problem would happen to us.We double over laughing every time we tell anyone. Can hardly speak by the time we get to the part where we say "It was literally raining [Moderator Edit]!" It is embarrassing but better to laugh now that is over but not at the time. Happy to know we are not alone. Thanks for all of the movie clips, I had forgotten that it spewed out the roof vent. We have that movie.

We did check the attic and think it blew so hard it all blew out. Got our slide topper. Thanks to all for helping us laugh again. Praying it never happens again..

Gary RVRoamer · 08-28-2014, 12:36 PM

Some folks we know had a similar experience, hooking the hose to the flusher instead of the city inlet, but they panicked and pressed down the toilet flush valve to see what was happening. You guessed it - the "stuff" flew out the hole and all over the bathroom (and the pedal pusher too). The woman had the presence of mind to throw towels down to quickly absorb the stuff, but her husband spent the night in the laundromat washing towels and clothing. I don't think he made that mistake again!

ChasA · 08-28-2014, 04:34 PM

My "RV Moment" came when I tried to tighten the extension sewer hose while dumping. Contrary to popular belief, it won't kill you.

Kro1957 · 08-28-2014, 08:02 PM

My flush valve has a tag below reminding you to make sure valves are open. I always follow instructions and in this case glad I did not try and rationalize otherwise. I certainly did not know it would do that. Wow, it was a funny read and a lesson learned.

virginiamtns · 08-28-2014, 08:23 PM

I've been RVing for five years now, and this summer we had our first Oh, $%&* moment. Attached sewer hose, pulled black tank handle, and the hose pops off, spewing toxic waste. Close valve, grab water hose and ask DW to go get a bottle of antibacterial soap. Sigh.

Now I open the gray tank hose just enough to ensure that the hose stays put, close it and then open black tank valve. One experience with spewing liquid nastiness taught me an important lesson.

Sorry for your troubles, although you seem to have taken it in stride. Thanks for the laughter!

JeffAZ · 08-28-2014, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mojoracing

I did it a few weeks ago. Thankfully I had already drained the tank so what came out the roof vent was fairly clean. It happened in my driveway so no witnesses. Wife came out just after it happened and asked what I was doing......I told her I was washing the roof.

LOL, that's actually a pretty good idea, just make sure you've emptied the tank and flushed it once or twice. Then put some soap in the tank and fill with the rinse and when it gets full, let her rip! It sure beats getting on the roof with a hose, and much safer!