Community Forums

edberling · 06-10-2019, 08:43 PM

I bought an RV that apparently has a black water tank that has been sitting full for a number of years. The result is a thick layer of dry compost. Is there a product that I can introduce to liquify the compost, or should I got it from the toilet access with a power washer?

brandss · 06-10-2019, 08:54 PM

Here is a video that I saved for the future from David Bott of outsideourbubble.com . His website and insight has helped us a lot. This particular video talks about a deep clean of the black and grey tanks. In your case, I would find out what product (thinking Dawn Liquid Detergent) to put in the black tank through the toilet and take the rig on a ride for an hour, let it sit as long as your can, then attack the tanks with the suggested video. Good luck and I hope it helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YW7...&index=55&t=0s

wingnut60 · 06-10-2019, 09:34 PM

Any chance of snaking a water hose up the drain line?

brandss · 06-10-2019, 09:53 PM

Wingnut, if you take a look at the video (I don't mean, you should look before you respond) you will see thats what they do except use a power washer with rotating jetter valve. I had no idea this existed and saved it to my "future coach needs" file. The results are incredible although, not sure most tanks need to be cleaned to this degree.

Old-Biscuit · 06-10-2019, 09:59 PM

Unique Holding Tank CLEANER.....it works!

https://uniquecampingmarine.com/coll...v-tank-cleaner

edberling · 06-10-2019, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Any chance of snaking a water hose up the drain line?

That was tried. Remember I am working with a solid mass

Bob_C · 06-10-2019, 10:05 PM

Happy Camper Extreme....on Amazon

Brentw · 06-10-2019, 10:12 PM

My sister who worked at an rv place had several of these come in. Sorry, didn't get any details, but i remember that she said you had to mechanically (thinking wash wand after a soak) peel layers off as liquids would not permeate very deeply.

wingnut60 · 06-10-2019, 10:22 PM

brancss,
Did look, surely should work--If he has access to the service. Since water will seek a level, it is entirely possible to use the sewer hose, elevate it, fill with water till it fills and drain. Repeat several times and see if any progress is made. Or, yep, call the cleanout guy.

Snufy1 · 06-10-2019, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Unique Holding Tank CLEANER.....it works!

https://uniquecampingmarine.com/coll...v-tank-cleaner

Tried this stuff it didn't work

PandS · 06-11-2019, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edberling

I bought an RV that apparently has a black water tank that has been sitting full for a number of years. The result is a thick layer of dry compost. Is there a product that I can introduce to liquify the compost, or should I got it from the toilet access with a power washer?

I'm pretty sure you will need to use a high pressure cleaning service to clean that mess. The video that was posted is really good information. Good luck, and let us know the outcome.- Paul

gerdutch · 06-11-2019, 01:55 PM

Time will be your friend! Fill it with whatever, i use Dawn, let it sit overnight, then shake it with a 1/2 hr road trip and dump. May require a longer soak time...

lrsses · 06-12-2019, 04:48 AM

10 gallon hot water fabric softener any brand pour down toilet let set over night clean tank. That’s my CTF Clean Tank Fix

twogypsies · 06-12-2019, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrsses

10 gallon hot water fabric softener any brand pour down toilet let set over night clean tank. That’s my CTF Clean Tank Fix

Fabric softener will just sit on top of the solid mass. Did you ever look at a fabric softener dispenser in a washing machine? There's always some coating the dispenser.

They need to make a lighted black tank so we could all see what really goes on down there!