Clogs – Slow Draining Tanks – Odors – Misreading Sensors
Clogs typically are in three forms:
The Pyramid
this is formed when waste (poop and toilet paper) accumulate into a pile (a pyramid) directly under the black tank inlet from your toilet. Once this pyramid reaches the top of the tank and the inlet from your toilet it becomes a complete blockage, preventing any additional waste from entering the holding tank.
A Compacted Tank
A compacted tank is when solid waste has accumulated and hardened in the bottom of the holding tank. This buildup over time prevents waste from exiting the tank when the dump valve is opened. This is also the cause for a slow draining tank that has the exit port of the tank partially blocked.
A Blocked Line
Blocked lines (pipes) resulting in a backed-up toilet are more common in fivers (Fifth wheels). This is because the wastewater lines in this style rig have several 90 degree connections to accommodate the floor plan and raised area that the bathroom is located in. They typically do not have a direct drop into the holding tank. This design is prone to line blockages.
Misreading Sensors
We all know how our sensors act-up and give misreadings. You dump your tanks (Black and/or Gray) you know the tank is empty but the sensors are still reading Full – 2/3 Full – or anything other than 0 (Empty). This is annoying and very much an inconvenience for those of us that boondock a lot. The issue is the sensors in the tanks become caked with waste and toilet paper and other debris in our black tanks. The gray tank sensors have grease and oils on them. Struvite buildup also contributes to misreading sensors. The use of harsh chemicals can also scorch the sensors causing them to malfunction.
The Culprits of Our Tank Issues
Their are several contributing factors that lead to tank issues (unpleasant smells & odors, blockages, and misreading sensors). The primary culprits for our tank issues come from the buildup of Struvite, Fats – Oils – Grease (FOG), Mold (yes Black Mold), Mildew, and the stuff we introduce into our tanks (food, hair, skin, cleaning products, and chemicals).
You may be suppressed that the Gray tank in your RV is most often the bigger culprit for fowl odors.
What is lurking in your tanks
Fats – Oils – Grease (FOG): FOG is all the Fats (animal fats) that get rinsed down the drain when we are washing dishes. Think of bacon fat and how it hardens into that lard type substance in a pan. When it is rinsed down the drain in our RV it cools and hardens in our tanks. This is also true with the grease that we wash down the drain. Then we have the oils (Olive & Vegetable Oil, residue from spaghetti sauce, etc.) that never mix with water and just floats around on top.
Struvite: Struvite is an issue in all wastewater systems (city & town municipalities and treatment facilities as well as in our RV Black & Gray Tanks). Struvite forms from off-gassing of bio waste, it is a magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate crystal. It forms into a porous rock type formation that holds and omits odors into your living space. Struvite can be very large chunks or sand like (it is like kidney stones in your holding tanks).
The only way to truly address the tank issues discussed, and to remove the build-up of struvite and FOG from your holding tanks is with the use of specialized equipment (a Hydro-Jet power washer) and training, this is where we come in. Following the cleaning, the use of an All-Natural Probiotic Tank Treatment will keep your tanks and sensors working properly for the long term.
Request A Hydro-Jetting Quote & Schedule Your Service Today
NOTE: Our Hydro-Jet process and service require your RV is at a location with Full-hookups (shore-power, water, septic). Also, if you have a macerating pump we may or may not be able to provide tank cleaning service. We will work with you to determine what type of macerating pump you have and if services can be provided.