The Dreaded Black Tank 'Pyramid'

[Doc Mark]

We are on our 5th year of ownership of this coach. Reading the forums I secretly chuckled at the tales of woe other owners had had with the dreaded 'poop pyramid'. Not me I chortled, I do it right!

Guess what folks? Last night the flush didn't sound right, no whoosh, but a bubble of air popping up and then a slower draining. This is not good.

So today I get out the flashlight & open the toilet valve, and lo & behold just below the 45 degree pipe bend is a pile of white paper. Kinda sorta - you get the idea. Methinks this may just be a partial blockage of the pipe so I get a plunger. No joy. This is not a pipe blockage, it is a for real paper/. . . . pyramid.

After consulting with a neighbor, we rig up an old hot water tank rinse pipe (copper pipe, not pvc) on the end of the hose, shove into the void and begin pressure washing out the tank. Fortunately, we have 70 psi water pressure in the campground, and the pyramid is not a solid concrete mass, rather just a soggy pyramid. And after about 2 hours of flushing & rinsing, the pyramid has gone - at least I can't see anything anymore and the tank flow is clear.

LESSONS LEARNED

1. You are never as smart as you think you are. Chuckle at others at your peril.
2. Just because the water looks clear after dumping & rinsing the tank doesn't mean your tank is clean.
3. Residential use toilet paper is NOT RV friendly.
4. Some RV toilets have a water saver feature (designed to aid in dry camping). DON'T EVER USE IT.
5. Always add a sufficient amount of water to the black tank after draining/cleaning to COMPLETELY cover the bottom of the tank, and then some.
6. Emphasize to the females in your coach the necessity of using extra water whenever paper is used.
7. And finally, I read somewhere that the secret to black water tank management is water, water, and more water. I believe it, now.

[tomwalt]

Well summarized lessons. That was one Shi--y experience I am sure you would like to forget. I would say that is one good neighbor you have.

[Wanabee FTer]

I've been working on a similar concern today. Black tank smell.
As you, I cleaned the tank with a high pressure blaster until it shined inside with a flashlight. Still no love.
Went up on the roof and ran a hose to the top vent pipe and ran it full blast until the black tank was full and dumped. I closed the valve and repeated this at least 12 times before I was satisfied with the cleanliness of the final drain.
The tank now smells as fresh as a rose, well not exactly but you catch my drift

[Route 66]

That dental training paid off.............working in a confined area.

[Mr_D]

Guess I've been lucky, been RV'ing since 1957 (although most rigs that old didn't have a toilet, just a plywood seat with a plastic bag hanging from it) and have never experienced a problem. I use what ever TP we have although my wife did get some expensive stuff that wouldn't even soak up water. If it's labeled "safe for septic systems" it should be fine.
I also don't dump till the tank is ¾ full or I add water to that level. It takes a while as our black tank is 45 gallons.

[wa8yxm]

The RV Twister (I think it's called) By CAMCO.. this is a black tank wand with a brass "Spinner" on the lower end.. Let it blast away at the mound for a while.

[tvman44]

If it were mine I would put a few gallons of water and some septic tank digester and let it sit for a week or so then flush and repeat.

[Doc Mark]

Dark & wet too!

TVMan44 - great suggestion. But for now, as we are camped in Maine until October, will have to delay that until we get back to the sticks & bricks. A plywood seat and a plastic bag just won't fly with the women in the coach!

[Wayne M]

So when do you get your Colorectal Surgeon certificate?

Good list of preventive medicine.

One more thing for a lesson.

When dumping and flushing from the outside, have someone inside fill the bowl with water, then push and hold the pedal (if that is what you have, or other contraption) and let the force of the water do a "power flush." While observing it outside with a see through connector you may notice a more pronounced discoloration through the connector. I do this two to three times with DW on the inside manipulating the contraption. I'm just the crappy observer. It makes a difference.

Happy trails.

[MaverickBBD]

Some times there is no solution as good as dilution. Thanks for the tips.

[toadog]

Thanks for the tips, My mother in law was using a roll and a half a day, I did not find out for a week,
Bob Bazley

[NLOVNIT]

And my DH harps on me about how much water I use. I'm gonna tell him I don't want no TP (or other) pyramid!

L-

[RJay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by toadog Thanks for the tips, My mother in law was using a roll and a half a day, I did not find out for a week, Bob Bazley

At that rate your toilet paper should come with a warning label.