Community Forums

336muffin · 10-05-2011, 07:32 PM

I started doing this several years ago and was wondering if anybody else has done this. I fill up all sinks to the top with hot water. I have previously completely drained the gray tank. I also have a clear 90* fitting at the sewer hose so I can see what's coming out. My wife waits until I'm at the gray valve and when I give the knock on the side of the coach, she pulls the stoppers and this stuff comes out of the gray tank like a piece of gray Jello about a 1/4 inch thick! We do this once a year now and haven't seen it again! Told a few of our club members and they too had the same thing. I guess the soap and whatever builds up over the years. Let me know.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-06-2011, 07:12 AM

Probably builds up because many RVers don't use much water as a routine practice (water conservation). When we have a sewer hook-up, we use water just like at home, so that tends to flush the tanks in regular use. We also have a flush system for our gray as well as black, and we use that whenever practical.

Another thing you can do is to run enough water into the gray to fill the tank (valve closed). While doing so, add an enzyme septic tank treatment such as Roebic 67 or RotoRooters enzyme product or Rid-X. Let that solution sit in the tank for 2-4 days and then rinse out. Those little enzyme critters will eat the scum right off the tank walls and pipes.

MaverickBBD · 10-06-2011, 07:23 AM

It seems like our washer/dryer is in almost constant use. Hopefully that and the constant emptying will prevent such build up. Good idea though.

njs42 · 10-06-2011, 09:09 AM

Use lots of water, rinse as you go, a specific additive to eat or dispurse grease, and a hot water bath---all good. Tha'ts my routine and my little sensors work just fine nine years running.

Yellowreef · 10-06-2011, 01:58 PM

I use a gray tank additive, i dissolve one tablet in the sink every so often and it keeps everything good. You can find them next to the black tank treatment chemicals at any store.

336muffin · 10-06-2011, 04:19 PM

We use a gray tank additive as well and lot's of water and the washer. I even use denture tablets in the Saniflush system! Does a great job and thought I was good.

Ray,IN · 10-06-2011, 08:27 PM

Every now and then I add a cup of TSP (dissolved in a pan of water) to the grey tank which I have 3/4-filled with water; before hitting the road. It even helps the OEM level sensors to begin working again.

336muffin · 10-07-2011, 01:26 AM

Refresh me on TSP, please.

paz · 10-07-2011, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 336muffin

Refresh me on TSP, please.

TSP = trisodium phosphate, which is a cleaning agent/degreaser. I haven't bought any in a long time, but I think it's usually available in hardware stores and possibly in grocery stores where the detergents are located. Maybe Ray will jump in here and tell us where he gets his.

BTW, if I leave a few gallons of plain water in the bottom of the gray tank, the sloshing around while on the road will also loosen some of the scum on the bottom of the tank. When I hook up to the sewer when we get to our destination and pull the gray valve, I can see gray particles coming out through the clear sewer adapter I use. The TSP should enhance the cleaning action quite a bit.

Ray,IN · 10-08-2011, 06:13 PM

paz is right, any hardware store sells TSP. One of it's main uses is to remove wallpaper, another is to etch paint prior to re-painting so the new paint will adhere better. It's a strong detergent/cleaner. It hasn't harmed anything in my plumbing since I began using it.