Community Forums

Jonesey · 06-13-2013, 09:44 PM

A bit of background. We are connected to our sewer, 24/7. Black tank valve is normally closed until 3/4 full. When I dump the black tank the whole house stinks. I've put rid-x in the tank for 24 hours, stuck a water hose down the roof vent, dumped and run the tank cleaner for 20 minutes, still I can't get rid of the stink.

Can anyone help?
Jonesey
Renton, WA

kalynzoo · 06-13-2013, 09:58 PM

Try one of the many "vortex" end caps for the roof vent. It creates an updraft to remove the odor. It worked for me.
I also like a couple of ounces of PineSol in the tank every once in a while. It seems to help clean out the residue and reduces the odor.

Elf · 06-13-2013, 10:10 PM

I concur with the vortex. We installed one on a friends recommendation and it has been so much better.

mgscott4 · 06-14-2013, 04:25 AM

I used to have the same problem until I installed this. It keeps a positive pressure on the vent line 24/7.

Lil' Stanker™ In-Line Deodorizer Fans

Melmoses · 06-14-2013, 07:15 AM

I think Rid-X is part of the problem as it breaks down waste. I have a septic tank at the stick house and had to have it pumped for the first time in 26 years. The smell was.....

My solution to this in the MH is to use 1/2 bottle of Pine Power from Dollar General after dumping the tank and refilling with 2 minutes of water. If we are traveling then it sloshes around and cleans the tank. I dump and rinse when we arrive. Works great for me. That is all I have used in my black tank for 3 years and have had no odor problem. I bought the vortex but never installed it.

Tom N · 06-14-2013, 07:19 AM

Do not operate your ceiling fantastic fan when dumping.

Ed-Sommers · 06-14-2013, 08:10 AM

When dumping the black, have the Gray closed because the negative pressure from dumping can suck the P-trap dry allowing smells in.

Ed

**NLOVNIT** · 06-14-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom N

Do not operate your ceiling fantastic fan when dumping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

When dumping the black, have the Gray closed because the negative pressure from dumping can suck the P-trap dry allowing smells in.

Ed

Been there/done that.

I'm also not so sure Rid-X will do much good. Isn't it meant for systems where stuff is in there a long time? RV tanks are dumped sooner than the enzymes can neutralize the stuff I'd think.

Lori-

Tom N · 06-14-2013, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed-Sommers

When dumping the black, have the Gray closed because the negative pressure from dumping can suck the P-trap dry allowing smells in.

Ed

If the roof vent is clear there should be no negative (vacuum) pressure.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-14-2013, 09:54 AM

If the problem occurs ony when dumping, the smell is likely coming from the system you are dumping to. Either that or the dump action is sucking the gray water line P-traps dry and letting gray odors back into the coach. That would suggest that one or both roof top vents is clogged. Ceilingvent fans is another possibility, as others have mentioned.

RidX won't help this sort of problem, especially with just a 24 hour soak. It takes 3-4 days to make an appreciable difference and then only on your own tank. Mostly good for cleansing tank walls.

I don't think the fancy roof vent caps will help either, unless you normally have fairly strong breezes blowing. They can help channel air movement over the vent, but by themselves they can't do anything.

Jonesey · 06-14-2013, 01:34 PM

I think I have a much bigger problem.

After dumping last night, I tried filling the tank to 3/4 to make sure it was completely cleaned out. Right after the indicator light showed a soild 3/4 full, my tank started leaking. Not really leaking, more like dumping water.

I think the tank is cracked, I'll know tomorrow. Been watching videos of plastic welding all morning, hope a weld will work. I'll post on Monday with results. Thanks to everyone for your help!

Jonesey · 06-14-2013, 07:04 PM

Well, I took the bottom cover off tonight and filled the tank. Looks like the top of the tank (the flat cover part) is no longer attached!!! So tomorrow mornng I'll have to pull the tank and see f I can plastic weld the top.

I sure know how to have fun on the weekend! I'll let you know how it turns out.

CJ7ole · 06-15-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesey

I sure know how to have fun on the weekend! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Please do, should be interesting.

Jonesey · 06-15-2013, 07:10 PM

OK - here's what I found out. My tank is 64" long and about 50" of the top had split / cracked.

A few months ago I read (on another forum) that it was ok to keep the valve closed and fill up the tank with the roto cleaner. Well, we heard what can only be described as a minor explosion that shook the whole 5ver. Now I know what it was.

So I blew the top off the black tank and everytime I dumped, the pressure forced the stink out of the top of the tank and not thru the vent.

I'm trying a plastic weld (good old Harbor Freight and You Tube). If it doesn't work, a new tank is in my future.

Not a hard job except for lying on my back on rocks and all sorts of nasty that shall go un-named. 1/2 bottle of pinesole goes in tonight and I expect to wake up feeling like I'm in the middle of a pine forest.

All's well that ends well. I hope! Thanks everyone for your comments.