Black tank valve open!?!?!?

[lp5151]

Do any of you leave the valve to your black tank open when hooked to sewer? I know it's not a problem for the gray tank to be left open. But, I'm pretty sure that keeping the black valve closed until you are ready to dump is basic RV 101.

reason I ask, i observed a guy who left his black tank valve open while hooked up to sewer. We spoke about it and he said he'd been doing it for 20 years and never had a problem. I mentioned to him that I thought he was the luckiest man alive for not having plug ups, harded sludge, etc. well, wouldn't you know it, the very next morning I noticed him out side messing with his sewer hose, and noticed that he had a fairly large spill, (not a very happy resort owner as well). At first he was blaming the resort owner for having a faulty sewer system, as it turned out, all those around him pointed out that his sewer hose had become plugged with "sludge" and his overflow was leaking out onto the ground and running out into the street. big mess. he got a bill from the resort for the Haz-Mat crew that had to be called out to clean up the area and street before his sewage could get to a storm drain.

[Gary - K7GLD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp5151 Do any of you leave the valve to your black tank open when hooked to sewer? I know it's not a problem for the gray tank to be left open. But, I'm pretty sure that keeping the black valve closed until you are ready to dump is basic RV 101. reason I ask, i observed a guy who left his black tank valve open while hooked up to sewer. We spoke about it and he said he'd been doing it for 20 years and never had a problem. I mentioned to him that I thought he was the luckiest man alive for not having plug ups, harded sludge, etc. well, wouldn't you know it, the very next morning I noticed him out side messing with his sewer hose, and noticed that he had a fairly large spill, (not a very happy resort owner as well). At first he was blaming the resort owner for having a faulty sewer system, as it turned out, all those around him pointed out that his sewer hose had become plugged with "sludge" and his overflow was leaking out onto the ground and running out into the street. big mess. he got a bill from the resort for the Haz-Mat crew that had to be called out to clean up the area and street before his sewage could get to a storm drain.

If there was a question in there, I think you already pretty well answered it...

[RV Wizard]

The result is the black pyramid of doom.

[Hitchhiker]

Quote:

Do any of you leave the valve to your black tank open when hooked to sewer?

I leave mine closed and then dump when it's at least 1/2 full.

[RJay]

Not only do I keep the black valve closed, I also keep the gray one closed too. If you think about what goes down the kitchen sink: grease, coffee grounds(as hard as you try not to) and food particles; all of which can accumulate on the bottom of the tank. All that debris also accumulates in the valve track which eventually will cause the valve to become hard to operate and prevent the valve from closing all the way. With the valves closed the food particles still settle on the bottom of the tank but doesn't harden as when the valve is open. In addition, soapy water from doing dishes and taking showers help to clean the tank so when the tank is dumped the rapid flow of water out of the tank carries most everything out and keeps the valve clean. The reason I do it this way is that I am usually parked for three months at a time and keeping the gray water valve open this long results in build up. In addition, I also put a detergent in the tanks when I travel between destinations and when I dump I still notice some black debis coming out of the tank.

[MaverickBBD]

I see no problem leaving the black tank valve open all the time providing no one uses the "facilities" in the rv. EVER!

[scenic route]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lp5151 Do any of you leave the valve to your black tank open when hooked to sewer? .

Before we took off on our one and only trip (so far) to a CG in Miami, I had read it's a good idea to leave the valves close for just the above reasons. After disconnecting our hose from the CG sewer, I found another GOOD reason for leaving them closed until time to 'dump'. COCKROACHES...BIG cockroaches, ones that look to be a danger to small dogs! For the 'up north' types - sewer flies....none of which I want living where I do! Bob

[Vegasdan]

Keep em both closed until dump time. I also see a lot of RVrs leaving their hoses connected to the sewer all of the time which can lead to damaged hoses.

[GENECOP]

I always leave both Grey and Black closed until full, the only thing that may have changed things alittle is the Macerator toilet, Its a new age, G

[TandW]

Florida and other southern coastal states do not have cockroaches. Instead they have what is dearly known to themto be the Palmetto Bug. It's a matter of pride you see. Good luck!!

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandW Florida and other southern coastal states do not have cockroaches. Instead they have what is dearly known to themto be the Palmetto Bug. It's a matter of pride you see. Good luck!!

I've seen them thar Palmetto Bugs, I thought they were six legged Dachshunds.

[scenic route]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasdan I've seen them thar Palmetto Bugs, I thought they were six legged Dachshunds.

Your one delusional dude there Vegasdan...everone knows Dachshunds can't FLY! So, how many Dachshunds ya got at home, anyway? Bob

[Vegasdan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by scenic route Your one delusional dude there Vegasdan...everone knows Dachshunds can't FLY! So, how many Dachshunds ya got at home, anyway? Bob

You mean I can stop naming them?