Community Forums

hondavalk · 02-10-2016, 10:07 AM

I work in maintenance at a large hospital and wet wipes have caused more sewer line backups then you can imanage. They have pluged everything from a 3" line to the city main. We are continually trying to educate the staff about not flushing any wipes regardless of what they say.

TeJay · 02-10-2016, 10:08 AM

This folks is really not rocket science. Call it: TP, poo paper, septic safe, Sani-Wipes, biodegradable TP, Wet-Wipes, etc, etc. It matters not what it's named only if it passes the15 second JST Jar Shake Test and breaks down.

To say, NEVER, EVER use wet wipes of any sort is ludicrous. If a bit heavier moist wipe passes the JST there can be no reason not to use it. It will break down.

Great tip on the Walmart brand. We'll for sure check that.

That's part of the problem with TP. There are soooo many brands sooo many descriptive adjectives telling us how great the TP is it has become difficult to find a brand that works for the RV, then to find it in different stores. We may find a good brand and think we have enough for a trip but find ourselves shopping for some in a different area of the country.

TeJay

barmcd · 02-10-2016, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeJay

This folks is really not rocket science. Call it: TP, poo paper, septic safe, Sani-Wipes, biodegradable TP, Wet-Wipes, etc, etc. It matters not what it's named only if it passes the15 second JST Jar Shake Test and breaks down.

To say, NEVER, EVER use wet wipes of any sort is ludicrous. If a bit heavier moist wipe passes the JST there can be no reason not to use it. It will break down.

Great tip on the Walmart brand. We'll for sure check that.

That's part of the problem with TP. There are soooo many brands sooo many descriptive adjectives telling us how great the TP is it has become difficult to find a brand that works for the RV, then to find it in different stores. We may find a good brand and think we have enough for a trip but find ourselves shopping for some in a different area of the country.

TeJay

Yes, common sense, however, I think people say to never throw them down the toilet because a lot of people (maybe most) won't make sure they are degradable before they throw them in the toilet.

MartySQ · 02-10-2016, 12:12 PM

When in doubt, don't.

TeJay · 02-10-2016, 12:45 PM

Not RS!!! Just refer to my second sentence. If one is not going to use CS suffer the consequences.

TeJay

wildtoad · 02-10-2016, 01:16 PM

If it means anything, many municipalities are complaining that these so called septic tank friendly wet wipes are clogging up their filters.

As far as black tank, they (wet wipes) are very slow to break down, stick to the sides of the tanks, and interfere with the sensors. So don't put them in there.

I'd suggest you get a small waste basket with a lid just wet wipes. It's best to adhere to the rule that it ain't tp, or come out of you, it don't go down the toilet.

TeJay · 02-10-2016, 01:54 PM

AHHHH!!! What's with the CS approach. If it passes the JST it's OK everything else is NOT OK!!!

IF a WET WIPE passes the JST then it's OK. It will degrade. REMEMBER, SEPTIC TANK FRIENDLY does not mean anything unless, YEP !!! it has to pass the JST.

TeJay

TeJay · 02-10-2016, 04:17 PM

"Yes, common sense, however, I think people say to never throw them down the toilet because a lot of people (maybe most) won't make sure they are degradable before they throw them in the toilet."

The same could be said for TP. If a lot of folks won't test the wet wipes and throw them in the tank then they probably won't test the TP either.

We are back to the same choices. TEST anything you use in the Black tank or not.

TeJay

twogypsies · 02-10-2016, 07:33 PM

We've heard of so many municipalities advising not to use ANY type of wipes - degradable or not - because of the clogs they produce. I tend to believe them because they're the ones who have to deal with the problems. If they're bad for home sewers I can see them definitely clogging up a black tank. Think of how many would just be sitting in the tank during at least 5 days before dumping. That massive amount of thick wipes could easily clog as the valve is opened. They certainly would not break down in that short of time.

scottandanna · 02-11-2016, 06:07 AM

I tried the Shake test on the hand towels, and all they did was get wet. Pulled it out of the jar as a fluffy glob.

Then I tried it with the Great Value paper, and it started to dissolve immediately, and after just a couple seconds of shaking, it was just foggy water with small snow-flakes.

I was thoroughly amazed at how much it disintegrated. I was expecting maybe just falling into smaller pieces, but this stuff actually "dissolved". When I dumped the water onto an area of dirt near my patio, I saw absolutely no white paper residue, just wet dirt.

I am sold...

Bobaloo22 · 02-11-2016, 06:19 AM

I have not found a wet wipe yet that passes the shake test. Any one have one that does?

oldeguy · 02-11-2016, 06:29 AM

My RV head rules are the same as my SV (sailing vessel) rules...if it doesn't go in the mouth first, it doesn't go in the head! Except for the RV TP! got to wipe!

anything else goes in the solid waste container.

Tony Lee · 02-11-2016, 06:38 AM

11-Ton 'Fatberg' Made Of Wet Wipes And Fat Breaks London Sewer

Add a few wet wipes to a typical black tank pyramid and you would be in big trouble.

Tha_Rooster · 02-11-2016, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottandanna

We actually make our own. We use Kleenex Hand Towels paper towels, soak them in witch hazel, and put them in a plastic Huggie's wet wipe container.

They are not "septic safe", but will they hurt our black tank?

Or is the issue that they will eventually clog up the dump station?

If the wipe gets stuck going through valve even half way your going to have a bad day.