this won't flush

[bucwheat]

Hey guys had something happen while camping this past week,I had my black water open to the drop while camping so there was nothing collecting in the tank,well I went to flush it one morning and nothing happened as I had the foot pedal depressed the water level increased naturally. I turned the water off to the crapper and held down the pedal for maybe 2 min. and it finally went down,could this have been an air lock or something?

[MDarrough]

Yea, I would say the sewer was pressurizing your black tank.

BTW, you should not keep your black tank valve open while hooked to the sewer. That usually allows the liquids to drain but there's nothing to wash the solids down. Many that do this end up with a big hard pyramid of solids in the bottom of their black tank.

Keep that valve closed until the tank is full, then open it and the liquids can wash away all the solids.

Mark

[bucwheat]

Originally Posted by MDarrough

Yea, I would say the sewer was pressurizing your black tank.

BTW, you should not keep your black tank valve open while hooked to the sewer. That usually allows the liquids to drain but there's nothing to wash the solids down. Many that do this end up with a big hard pyramid of solids in the bottom of their black tank.

Keep that valve closed until the tank is full, then open it and the liquids can wash away all the solids.

Mark

Thanks so much for the tip sir,I have been camping for years in popups but never a motel on wheels,there is a lot to learn.Just bought my trailer in May and gone camping 4 times.

[MDarrough]

Any time. Yes, there is indeed a lot to learn, and forums like this sure make it easier. Learn from other peoples mistakes...er, I mean experience.

rv.net is great too.

Mark

[icysmooth]

Yep-always keep the black tank closed until dump time,but keep gray water closed as well,that way you can dump the black tank,then flush the pipes with gray to help keep them cleaner
Had to learn that trick the HARD---(LUMPY) way
AND YES--learned that trick on here-love the Forum

[westcoaststrokin]

Also make sure that you are flushing down/cleaning the tank on a regular basis to keep from getting solid waste build-up.

[icysmooth]

Don't forget the blue addative too-that will also help break down the solids while in the tank-but I'm sure you know that-just didn't see in post.
But you can set me straight on that if I missed it-I'll own up to misreading
Just winterized mine yesterday-but can't wait for next year!

[westcoaststrokin]

Originally Posted by icysmooth

Just winterized mine yesterday-but can't wait for next year!

What is that? If I can drag it through the snow I can camp!

[Evil Eye]

Also, be aware that the "blue stuff" likely has formaldehyde in it which will KILL the useful bacteria in a septic system. Be aware of that since it will likely limit where you can dump your waste. I always go with the "green stuff" which is biodegradable and suitable for ALL septic and sewer systems.

[WD40]

Make sure anything you put in your tank is biodegradable and suitable for ALL septic and sewer systems.
One little tip I use once or twice a year, I pull over and buy 10 Lb bag of ice and drop it into the crapper and start driving as soon as I can got off the parking lot. They ice moving around inside the tank will break that hard stuff up. I never winterized mine, I just go father south. LOL

Doug