Community Forums

DonJohnson · 12-16-2011, 01:03 AM

I'm a rookie and did a "Stupid". I have a new 39ft Keystone Montana 3750FL. I am delivering the 5th wheel to the dealer tomorrow to have some warranty work done while I visit family for the holidays. My 2 grey tanks were empty and the black tank was half full. So I turned the kitchen faucet on slightly in order to have some grey water to flush the drain after dumping the black water in the morning. Obviously, the grey tank (1) overfilled and the kitchen sink overflowed. Water collected on the floor in the laundry closet, ran very slightly into the kitchen, then collected in front of the rear door, and finally soaked a little of the bedroom carpet right by the bedroom door. I awoke in time to turnoff the faucet and release the dump valves outside. Besides cleaning/soaking up the standing water, what else should I do and what might I be looking at for further damage?

**NLOVNIT** · 12-16-2011, 01:19 AM

First, let me say

. We're glad you're here.
2nd, water overflow is a common mistake, completely recoverable from. I'd say quite a few members have been in your situation. Since you got to it right away, I doubt you'll have severe damage. After you've sopped up the worst of it, use a shop vac to extract any water out of the carpet, run fans to circulate air & get a dehumidifier until you get things dried out. Since it was grey water, which can be just as stinky as black, you might have to use a deodorizer to clean the carpet. Inspect the storage bays underneath where was water was to be sure those get dried out too.

Good luck & let us know how it goes.

Lori-

DonJohnson · 12-16-2011, 01:34 AM

NLOVNIT/Lori - don't know why you'd be up this late/early - but I'm so glad you were. I'll have to address the shop vac and other valuable suggestions later in the morning as I'm parked in my brother-in-law's backyard where fortunately they have all the "hook-ups". I really can't thank you enough for getting back to me. Your words and suggestions are very encouraging and helpful at this time of night. Water seemed to collect mostly towards the curbside so I don't think any water got into storage area. Can't thank you enough for caring to get back to me this quickly.

DonJohnson · 12-16-2011, 01:48 AM

To NLOVNIT - Thanks again. I noticed ur a Super Duty person. I just got mine and could not be happier with it. 2012, F-250, Diesel, 2WD, SRW, 6 pass, 8ft bed, King Ranch. So here's more about me for everyone. Vietnam Vet/Mil. retiree 1985 and currently retired from second career as truck driver. (16yrs and 1.5 million miles - no accidents. Yes, God does love me.) Wife died in June of 2011. Currently full timer in my 2011 Keystone Montana, parked in my brother and sister-in-law's backyard in NE Florida. Originally from New England/NH. Daughter = 40, son = 35 and is married w/2 children, boy 6, girl 4.

JOMARFL (FMCA 401058) · 12-16-2011, 05:11 AM

Been there done that almost same scenario a few years ago. No damage, just pride and mess to clean up. It'll be fine I would assume just like ours.

MSHappyCampers · 12-16-2011, 08:48 AM

Thank you so much for your service to our country! Vietnam vets got a really raw deal! They gave their limbs and sometimes their lives for people who called them names and spit on them when they returned! I've never been so ashamed of our country as then. I'm so sorry about the loss of your wife. Merry Christmas & God bless!

bsirby · 12-16-2011, 01:26 PM

Hello and Welcome Don Johnson! I hope you were able to get everything cleaned up. If you're anything like us, it won 't be your last mishap.....lol I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your wife. Thank You for your service and God Bless.

wingnut60 · 12-18-2011, 08:54 PM

Yes, welcome to IRV2.

Clean water ususally never hurts a trailer, and no smell lingers if it is allowed to dry quickly. Since its at the dealers, they should take care of cleaning it if you ask them.
One of the best things to do for water overflows, is to unlevel the trailer in the direction of the spill and it will naturally run out--if level, it will stay where it went. Why would I know this? Don't ask...

Joe

TDiGuy · 12-18-2011, 09:01 PM

if you don't have a dehumidifer... crack up the heat and turn on the a/c...
don.t ask me how I know either... lol

DonJohnson · 12-19-2011, 04:58 AM

I really appreciate all the input you all (y'all) have given me. This is a great forum with good people. After the holidays, I hope to be moving around hopefully I will encounter some of you in person. That would be cool. Everything worked out 5th wheel is at the "Dr." for it's check-up/treatment, I'm on my way to family and grand-kids, so Please, everyone have a safe, healthy and prosperous holiday time filled with all the family love you can handle. Don't forget the love of our heavenly family, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all. Happy trails.

Chuck 1935 · 12-19-2011, 05:22 PM

If no one else didn't mention it, you can always install an overflow tube in the top of the grey tank to prevent any more mistakes

partsman01 · 12-29-2011, 10:07 PM

Well we all were sitting down the wife and I and daughter and we all had our feet up while the movie played, nice and relaxing.

Got up for some reason and swung my legs down and feet went into completely soaked carpeting, what a shock, turns out toilet flap did not close all the way due to some paper, so needless to say I found water running out the door, down out the bottom of unit, filled the kitchen floor, soaked the carpet totally.

Lucky we were up in Osoyoos which is semi arid and it was summer, could not use the site owners vacuum as it tripped the breakers, so took a lot of work but got the worst out the door, then left the A/C off the next day while we went out for the day, came back to over 100 degrees inside, but all appeared dry, so had no lasting effect that I could see.

You should be fine.

mr300ce · 12-29-2011, 10:31 PM

My shower stall has a tub. 32" L x 21" W x 13" D. That's my grey water overflow catch tank.

Works great !

Arch Hoagland · 12-29-2011, 10:40 PM

We've had more than one flood. Mop it up as best you can and put a little blower/heater thing blowing on the area.
For the carpet put a towel on the wet area with some books on it and let the towel soak up the moisture and then put the heater blower on it.
It'll be just fine.