All drains running slow and grey tank empty

[DoubleVetera]

Hi all,

I picked up a 2011 Roadtrek popular 190 last week and took it out camping this weekend. All the drains run slow (with the gray tank empty) and when I fill the kitchen sink with water (higher than the other drains) and drain it out, the shower and bathroom sink drains bubble air and sputter water. Makes me think the roof vent may be clogged?

I looked at the vent and it's just a plastic pipe, uncovered, so I can see how maybe something may have gotten in there. I blew down it and there is resistance (should blow freely, yes?) and I hear water. I looked at the plumbing schematic and the pipe does not go straight down, but bends at a 45 deg (twice), so I don't see anything. Can I try and stick a water hose down there and try to flush it out?

Thnx!
DV

[luvlabs]

Having flying critters build nests in drain pipes is not uncommon. I suggest you run a water hose down the pipe and see if you can flush out the crud. An electrical fish tape also works well.

[n-e-d]

Have someone inside if your running a hose in the vent and replace cover with Plumbing Vent Cap White

[Spk64]

You should have some internal vents also. Typically under the sink cabinet high up. Unless they were able to add a roof vent and tie all the drains into it.

[DoubleVetera]

Hey, just a quick update on what I've found so far:

- With the gray tank completely empty, water from all drains flows freely, until the grey tank register's 1/3 full (23 gal capacity), then it starts to back up.
- the water backs up in the shower (lowest point drain). I sealed all the drains, except for the shower and took a plunger to the shower drain and the water slowly went down with lots of bubbles coming up from the drain.

At this point I'm thinking it is less likely to be a venting issue, and more likely maybe a clog somewherafter the shower drain to the grey tank? But, if that were clogged, it would flow slowly all the time, and not just until he grey tank is 1/3 full, right?

Anyway, I bought a small diameter plummer's snake and will try that tonight after work. There is a clean-out at the kitchen sink drain below the P-trap and I should be able to snake all the way to the grey tank.

Thoughts and advice is welcome!

DV

[luvlabs]

Clean the hair out of your shower drain. You'd be surprised...

You can purchase one of those spiky plastic drain cleaners at any hardware/big box store.

[DoubleVetera]

Hey all,

Issue solved....Spk64 was on the right path

I was in the rig last night and the shower still had about 2 inches on water backed up on the shower floor. I removed the clean-out plug under the kitchen cabinet, heard a rush of air and all the water drained out! I removed the vent cap (also under the kit cabinet) and it does have a diaphram (anti-siphon?). I tested it and it seems to be working properly. Anyway, with the cap off, I tested the shower again and all flows beautifully.

Thnx all for the assistance!
DV