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Stan&Jacquie · 02-09-2017, 07:00 AM

What is the best method to open a blocked black tank? I believe it may have "pyramided"!!!

mjeffrey · 02-09-2017, 07:05 AM

EXTREME CLEANER by Happy Campers

We use the regular version in our black tank, but the extreme version is for your issue.

sbleiweiss · 02-09-2017, 07:12 AM

If you have a straight down pipe from your toilet to the tank a stick works. Don't ask me how i know.

bridluz · 02-09-2017, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

If you have a straight down pipe from your toilet to the tank a stick works. Don't ask me how i know.

....and wear GLOVES!

BillJinOR · 02-09-2017, 07:20 AM

It you truly do have a hard blockage it's too late for a "chemical "
You can buy a plastic "wand" that goes on a hose. Flush and open the toilet and shove it down turn on the water and blast away the pyramid by moving it around. Not a pleasant job.
Also there are companies that have a sewer hose fitting adapter to insert a special hose nozzle from the drain up and into the tank and pressure clean the tank ... "only" 200. Bucks !

Stan&Jacquie · 02-09-2017, 07:28 AM

Black tank won't dump. Need to do something from the valve end. Guess only option is to open the valve and be ready with a bucket. Can prod with a stick but am concerned about spillage when she finally opens. Keep those good ideas coming! And thanks!

vsheetz · 02-09-2017, 08:03 AM

I would suggest to try something like the extreme from Happy Camper (not the regular) before going the messy route if available and you have the time. I once had a black tank blockage, it cleared it right up. I had carried a package for years and never needed. Glad I had it when the occasion 'arose'. (-:

wizechatmgr · 02-09-2017, 09:50 AM

I'd suggest a bucket of ice and chemical cleaner. Take her for a drive.

Then come back and watch out...

KSagal · 02-09-2017, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wizechatmgr

I'd suggest a bucket of ice and chemical cleaner. Take her for a drive.

Then come back and watch out...

I concur. I was thinking the same thing, not just the chemicals, but also the ice cubes, then a long bumpy road. Lots of curves and hills.

And in the future, you may want to poop less.

Good luck with both steps.

mjeffrey · 02-09-2017, 11:18 AM

Interesting video on the ice cube method. Jump to his conclusions at the end of that is all you need. Bottom line... Unless you drive like a jerk then not much scrubbing takes place.

https://youtu.be/iH6acEmqvcw

**TonyDi** · 02-09-2017, 11:57 AM

There was a video posted some time ago about putting ice cubes in the black tank. It's more myth then reality. The poster (RV tech) made a holding tank out of clear acrylic and put ice cubes in it. Where he had any liquid in the tank the ice merely floated and did nothing. When the tank was empty and he drove around the ice cubes barely moved and did nothing. If I can find the video I'll post it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH6acEmqvcw

I agree with using the Extreme from Happy Camper.

Mudfrog · 02-09-2017, 12:00 PM

Guess we've been lucky because in 20 something years, have never had any issues like this. Of course i know it can happen. However, i wouldn't even consider using ice cubes if it did.

In my experience, in all the RVs we've had, the tanks have been very close to the potty itself. This may not be the setup for the OP but if it is, why not just take a garden hose with sprayer, operate the toilet, then spray down and all around into the tank? I'd bet good money i could get things moving using this method.

Max Hubrich · 02-09-2017, 04:48 PM

In Maine we had/have a great guy that does sewer, and campground holding tank clean outs.

He unplugs black tanks in RV's too. We usually get one or two Campers early in the camping season that didn't clean out their black tank in previous years. We called him in "for the rescue".

He hooks his sewer truck hose up to the RV black tank bayonet on the RV. Then he "Sucks" the junk out. I've seen him going under the rig with a large soft hammer and beat on the plumbing pipes while his "sucking pump" is running. All the ones I've seen "broke loose" and all the events were a success. No mess, no cleanup!!

He charged $50 for his service. One time when "Jack" tried to tip him $50 he said "No thanks- you don't know what your doing, I'll be back"

Here's his name and phone # Martin, 207-380-9282, Booth Bay Harbor, Maine

Good luck, and oh, Cindy and I worked in a campground on Southport Island for 9 years (Booth Bay Harbor area)

tizzyfit · 02-09-2017, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan&Jacquie

What is the best method to open a blocked black tank? I believe it may have "pyramided"!!!

You might call a local porta-potty company. Their trucks have a suction system which they use to pump out their portable stalls. If they can hook up to your turd herder or black plastic pipe, hopefully, there will be enough suction to move mountains so to speak.