Community Forums

Dunner · 03-06-2013, 04:12 AM

Sounds like it was done to gret tank also.

YC1 · 03-06-2013, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParryTack

Where can I get a clear fitting for the dump hose?

As suggested, any rv store but I would suggest getting one with the water hose attachment. You can then rinse your hose with fresh water and not have to rely on gray water.

sirpurrcival · 03-06-2013, 09:30 AM

I am aware of the dangers of leaving the black tank open all the time. What I was driving at is whether those same dangers exist with the grey tank. When you think about it, there are a lot of solids and semi solids that go in the grey water as well. In some ways it might be worse because many things that are liquid in the dish sink are solid when they cool down in the grey tank (cooking grease for example). I can see how a residue of sludge might build up over a longer period of time, as they might in the black tank, if the drain valve is constantly left open and the material being washed down isn't suspended in liquid. Just wondering if the same processes may be at play.

Muddypaws · 03-06-2013, 10:04 AM

What I do is NEVER leave either of the valves open. The only time the grey valve needs to be open is when we're doing laundry.

Usually I drain the grey once a day or whenever the level get's to 3/4 full. The black tank only gets drained when it's full. If it's not full and we're fixin' to leave I run the sprayer until it is full. If I don't hear the woosh at the end of the drain I know I've got a problem.

We had the dreaded 'Pyramid of Poo' once. That's all it takes to convince one of the wisdom of following 'The Way'. i.e. Septic safe TP, lots of water, etc.

UFO Pilot · 03-06-2013, 10:35 AM

I never leave the gray tanks valves open but I know folks who do.

Dunner · 03-06-2013, 07:46 PM

Bear with me on this. I'm thinking there was a mass build-up, the same dimensions of the tank, with maybe a pyramid at the shower drain. When water was put in the grey tank with the dump valve closed, it floated to the top and sealed off the shower. The other drains were T'd into the shower drain. Far fetched maybe, but it's the only thing I could of.

Clayobx · 03-07-2013, 06:47 AM

Dunner, I like that theory. A floating pyramid, that great!

ParryTack · 03-07-2013, 07:26 AM

Well, unfortunately, this mornings shower led to water backing up on shower pan. *sigh
Not a lot. Not right away. And it drained out within 2 minutes.
And yesterday I ran the washing machine, and the water a led up into the shower.
These things bob happened with grey valve closed and tank level reading empty.
Sheeseeeesh!

Dunner · 03-07-2013, 09:34 AM

Try the Drano again, but maybe a little longer or a little more.

mgscott4 · 03-07-2013, 12:50 PM

Once again "TRY A PLUNGER"

Muddypaws · 03-07-2013, 06:02 PM

Kinda makes me wonder if a sock went through the washer and got stuck where the sewer lines T together. Drain-o would not dissolve a sock unless it was 100% cotton.

I think at this point I would run a real plumbers snake down every drain in the coach. Unfortunately the best way to do that is by removing the P trap. An alternative might be a blast of compressed air, like from one of those extra big accordion folded plungers.

Ain't RV'ing a JOY sometimes?

ParryTack · 03-08-2013, 06:56 AM

Well I'm off to tr hardware store for a plunger and more drano.
We'll see! If I use the plunger at the shower drain, might I be able to blow air up thru the vent while pushing on the plunger?
Hmmmmm?
Anita

ParryTack · 03-08-2013, 06:28 PM

I tried the plunger today.
Had the grey valve closed.
Ran the Washing machine, water kept filling the shower pan, never overflowing, draining slowly till empty.
Did three loads of wash, grey tank 2/3 full.
All during this time I used the plunger at the shower drain.
I suppose it helped it drain, I didn't really notice a big difference.
I also bought his snaky thing with barbs on it to clean the drains.
I'll tackle that tonight.
And that's the latest. Friday 3/8/13 5:22
Anita

jmarmor · 03-09-2013, 05:14 AM

Hey Anita,
My wife thinks I'm nuts being infront on this computer and then getting out of bed at 6:30am this morning to post. But I do my best thinking just before I fall asleep and when I wake up. I love trying to figure out problems. Well, I think I may have the answer.

1) the plug (clog) is just before the gray tank and after all the drains juncture into the final drain pipe. Maybe there is a final p-trap between the juncture and the gray tank. This would explain why the water drains back up into the shower. The shower is the lowest escape for the backed up water. Already established in early posts.

2) You likely have a 80-90% occluded pipe that will not allow venting when the gray drain is closed and water is running down the drains. The rushing water justs back up from the clog. When you open the gray valve the venting is now coming from the grey valve discharge. Already established in early posts.

3)The success you had with the draino dissolved enough plug to think your out of trouble, but I think you only dissolved some of the crap and now more dislodged and your back up again.

4) I think that a solution would be to fill the gray tank all the way up until the shower has standing water.

5) pull the sewer hose, so you can see how much water is released, and very slowly release about one gallon of water after the shower is empty. I think this will make enough room for the draino to sit on the plug site longer.

6) make sure you have enough draino and hot water to fill the void between the plug and the shower drain. Very slowly pour so that the solution can go down the drain as your pouring it in. If it doesn't go down drain the gray tank very slowly.
7) leave the coctail in the pipe for an hour or so.

8) make sure the slinky drain hose is back in the sewer and pull the valve, drain all the way.

9) repeat if it returns. I think you got a real serious hair ball and sludge causing some real artery clogger.

Good luck. Jeff