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Old 01-13-2025, 12:08 PM   #1
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New member with sewage smell in RV

Hey All,
Purchased a 2014 Phoenix Shasta 35BH, I have it on a seasonal site in Florida. First season was 23/24. Had some issues but had Clean Tanks come in to clean all the tanks due to sewage orders inside. This year we are having an ongoing issue with sewage orders again. I have taken panels off to check for loose pipes but haven't located any. Anyone out there have thoughts.
Much appreciated.
Kirch
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Old 01-13-2025, 12:12 PM   #2
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We’re sure glad you joined the gang here!

Congrats on the new rig! I would suggest trying Happy Camper tank treatment on both black and gray tanks. We have been using it for 20+ years with no odors or clogs. Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Old 01-13-2025, 12:14 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kirch View Post
Hey All,
Purchased a 2014 Phoenix Shasta 35BH, I have it on a seasonal site in Florida. First season was 23/24. Had some issues but had Clean Tanks come in to clean all the tanks due to sewage orders inside. This year we are having an ongoing issue with sewage orders again. I have taken panels off to check for loose pipes but haven't located any. Anyone out there have thoughts.
Much appreciated.
Kirch
Just to be sure you are not leaving your dump valves open right?
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Old 01-14-2025, 06:27 AM   #4
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We keep tanks closed in between flushing out. We started using chemicals recommended by clean tanks..
Thanks..
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Old 01-14-2025, 08:36 AM   #5
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The tanks are designed to hold smelly water, and not smell inside the camper. Usually that means you have a vent pipe leaking, it could also be a loose connection at the toilet, or if it's not a sewer smell but something similar, it could be rotting wood, or spilled water built up somewhere.



Blocking the roof vents to see if the odor gets much worse is one method, blowing smoke down the vents will work. If you have access to a thermal imager, then a hair dryer on low in the roof vent might show up a leak on the interior surface, or a hair dryer on "no heat" with some ice cubes dumped down the vent.
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Old 01-14-2025, 08:47 AM   #6
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Toilets can be suspect as well, the Dometic 300 and the Thetford Aqua Magic are two that come to mind. I have the Aqua Magic and it's design can allow air infiltration from the holding tank through a failure of the plastic welded seam where the inner bowl is attached to the outside wall, and through the flush valve linkage which is only sealed with some grease. Needless to say I replaced the whole toilet.

We never had odors except if driving with tanks several days full and the windows opened. I cured that by installing the venturi type roof vents which eliminates positive pressure in the holding tanks which will force odors into the coach if there are any leaks. Between the Venturi vents and the new toilet we have been odor free for several years now.
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Old 01-14-2025, 08:47 AM   #7
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Often, the smell is actually from a gray tank, leaking inside through a failed air admittance valve under a sink.

Is the odor stronger at particular areas or when doing certain things?
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Old 01-14-2025, 08:49 AM   #8
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Can you tell if it is gray water smell or black water tank. Be sure all traps have water in them including the shower. If I don't use the shower regularly the trap dries out and lets the smell come in. Also check all the air admittance valves under the kitchen sink and the bathroom sink. Make sure the vents are open up top. I didn't look to see where you are at.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:02 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by Jkwilson1989 View Post
Often, the smell is actually from a gray tank, leaking inside through a failed air admittance valve under a sink.
I agree. We had a sewer smell back a few years ago and turned out to be the air admittance valve in the bathroom sink. RV manufacturers use cheap ones. You can easily replace with ones found at big box stores, and are not very expensive. We went ahead and replaced the kitchen sink one also. No problems since.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:25 AM   #10
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As others have said, many times the smell is from the grey tank. I have a separate grey tank for my galley and it will sometimes stink. I also have a separate black tank for my 1/2 bath and it will sometimes stink. If we just take a weekend trip, I have no issues. However, if we are traveling more than 2 days, I always put Happy Camper in both of these tanks, either right when we arrive, or before we hit the road. I have never had any bad smell using happy camper. However, you need to use it before the smell starts.
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Old 01-14-2025, 09:28 AM   #11
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Holding tank 'smells' should not be noticeable inside the RV

Sink / shower drains have 'P' traps.....water or waterless types
Air Admittance Valves should be on sink drains
Toilet should hold water in the bowl

Overcharged batteries can emit 'odors'

IF........any of the above mentioned items are NOT the issue then obstructed vent line and/or broken waste lines could be the issue
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Old 01-14-2025, 11:49 AM   #12
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My 5th wheel had the same issue. The reason was they toilet vent was placed very close to the bathroom roof vent. There were no issues, just poor design. I added a vent "anti syphon" vent cover and that fixed it. It allows air into the vent line but not stinky air out. Here is a picture of the device:


Name:   360-Siphon-vent-gen2-White-01-1-300x300.jpg
Views: 12
Size:  15.3 KB

Here is some info on it-
Say goodbye to holding tank odors invading your RV living areas.
It operates in ANY wind condition, mobile or stationary using only outside air movement as the power source
There are no moving parts to wear out or require maintenance
Has a built in bug screen
It’s made of high quality Polycarbonate plastics.
Contains built in UV inhibitors for durability and long life.

Good Luck and Safe Travels!
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Old 01-14-2025, 12:33 PM   #13
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As was mentioned, check the water in your batteries. If you have any dry cell, or dry battery it will smell a lot like sewer gasses.
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Old 01-14-2025, 03:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RVfixit View Post
My 5th wheel had the same issue. The reason was they toilet vent was placed very close to the bathroom roof vent. There were no issues, just poor design. I added a vent "anti syphon" vent cover and that fixed it. It allows air into the vent line but not stinky air out. Here is a picture of the device:

Attachment 433891

Here is some info on it-
Say goodbye to holding tank odors invading your RV living areas.
It operates in ANY wind condition, mobile or stationary using only outside air movement as the power source
There are no moving parts to wear out or require maintenance
Has a built in bug screen
It’s made of high quality Polycarbonate plastics.
Contains built in UV inhibitors for durability and long life.

Good Luck and Safe Travels!
I’m curious about that product.

If it doesn’t allow air out, what happens as you add water to the black tank? The air inside will either be compressed or it will escape by burping through the toilet. The idea of a pressurized black tank is not appealing.
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