RV Sewer Tank Maintenance

RV Sewer Tank Maintenance

Owning an RV isn’t all about freedom on the road and living comfortably no matter your destination, there are also icky parts that nobody likes to talk about.

For most, cleaning the RV sewer tank is one of those jobs they’d rather not do, but unfortunately, it’s an essential part of this way of life.

How do you clean an RV sewer tank, though? A sewer tank is where your waste is stored so it needs to be emptied, rinsed, and sanitized regularly to keep it hygienic.

There are a few parts to this process and lots of available products that make the job easy, so you don’t have to fear it if you’re doing it right.

Getting this part of RV life sorted is one of the biggest hurdles, so we’re here to walk you through it.

This guide answers all of the questions you ever had about your RV sewer tank, how to add water, remove build-up, and keep it sparkling clean for your next adventure, so you don’t have to dread it anymore.

Contents

How to Empty an RV Sewer Tank

How to Empty an RV Sewer Tank

Dumping an RV holding tank can be an overwhelming prospect if you’ve never owned or rented a camper before, but it’s nowhere near as challenging or disgusting as you might think.

This is an essential part of tank maintenance and something that has to be done regularly when using your RV, so follow these simple steps to clear it out and empty it.

  1. Equip yourself with rubber gloves and wear something that could get dirty, just to be safe.
  2. Connect the sewer hose to the black tank valve in the RV and then connect the other end of the hose to the dump station or sewer line.
  3. Pull the black tank valve on the RV and allow it to drain.
  4. Flush out the black tank using your gray water tank or other available clean water.
  5. Drain the water from the tank just as you did the waste and make sure it’s emptied thoroughly.
  6. Rinse off the sewer hose with clean water and then disconnect it from the dump station.
  7. Remove the sewer hose from the RV, sanitize the ends, and then store it away as recommended.

Removing Build Up From the Tank

In addition to the regular emptying and cleaning of the waste tank, you’ll also need to perform ongoing maintenance and deep cleaning to it.

One of the biggest problem areas is the buildup that occurs from regular use of the black water tank, caused by things like waste and toilet tissue being left behind on the walls of the tank.

This build up can easily start forming after just one use, so you should try to clean it off as often as possible.

When left to build up, these materials will cause unpleasant odors, an unhygienic tank, and the potential for a blockage which can be disastrous when you’re using this facility to store waste.

There are a few products on the market that help eliminate this buildup with a more powerful type of clean, and each has pros and cons for the RV owner to consider.

You should have at least one of these at the ready though, to prevent any nasty side effects from build-up forming in your sewer tank.

Flush valve

FLUSH VALVE

A flush valve is connected between the black waste valve and the sewer hose, allowing you to rinse out the tank and flush the hose at the same time.

This reduces blockages and cleans the tank sensors so they’re in good working order. Some come with a backflow preventer which means no waste can get into the freshwater source so you don’t have to worry about contamination.

Tank rinser

These can be either permanent fixtures inside the tank or inserted as needed and used by hand. They apply a high-pressure stream of water to wash out the tank and prevent build-up.

Options include side spraying jets or forward-facing ones, depending on how you want to operate them.

Macerator

MACERATOR

A macerator works like a reverse flush valve and shoots high pressure water into the tank so the buildup is cleaned from the walls.

Once the waste has been sprayed, it’s then directed through the drain hose that comes with it so it can be emptied into the waste station as well.

It comes with parts like a connector that shows the cleanliness of the tank and a backflow preventer to stop contamination.

The Key to Adding Water

The Key to Adding Water

Before you can do anything with the sewer tank of your RV, you’ll usually need to add water.

This goes for rinsing it out, cleaning it, applying treatment chemicals, and before you start using the tank when it’s connected to your RV toilet.

The reason water is added to the bottom of these tanks is that it helps with the flow of waste and other chemicals.

With this water at the bottom, you’re ensuring any waste that comes into the tank is diluted, doesn’t build up on the surface, and can be easily flushed out through the sewer hose without getting clogged.

You’ll need to add enough water for about four to five bowls in the toilet, and always fresh water only unless a different amount is recommended for a specific cleaning product.

Add this in before using any chemicals, treatments, or cleaning products, and fill it up before you head out on the road.

Treatment Options for RV Sewer Tanks

Treatment Options for RV Sewer Tanks

Along with the regular cleaning and rinsing schedule, a sewer tank needs to be treated regularly and should be done each time it’s emptied.

The best time to do this is after it’s been dumped and rinsed out so that it’s ready for use on your next trip.

The purpose of adding a treatment to the tank is not only to sanitize it, but also to reduce odors and help to break down waste and toilet paper.

These work with active enzymes that break everything down so there’s a risk that the waste will build up and that it will become stuck in the sewer hose during emptying.

There are two options for enzyme-based treatments being the drop in dissolvable tablet form or the liquid chemical, both of which should only be added when there’s clean water at the bottom of the tank.

You’ll need to consider what works best for your RV and what cleansing properties you’re looking for in a tank treatment to come up with the better option.

If you prefer the DIY approach, there are some acceptable solutions you can use like a bleach and water solution, but it’s mostly recommended to purchase a product made specifically for this purpose.

This will ensure no damage is done to the tank and that the chemicals are working to break down waste and prevent build-up, so you want to be careful what you use.

Making a Dreaded RV Job Easy To Do

Nobody loves cleaning the sewer tank of their RV but it’s a thankless job that can’t be avoided.

Luckily for the RV owner of today, there’s a wealth of knowledge out there from those that have been there before and a whole lot of tricks and products you can do to make it easier, so you don’t have to sweat this job any longer.

Related Questions

Keeping the sewer tank of your motorhome clean is essential for your comfort, hygiene, and safety, even if it’s one part of RV ownership that people would rather do without.

If you have further questions about these waste tanks and how it all works in an RV, read on to see if we’ve answered them in some of our reader’s FAQs.

Can I Dump My RV At Home?

CAN I DUMP MY RV AT HOME?

In most cases, it is legal to dump the black water tank of an RV at home as long as you are doing so into a residential sewer system that has been approved for this type of use.

Check the local ordinances in the area you live to make sure you’re able to dump your RV tank at home and always do so safely and hygienically just as you would at a local dump station.

How Often Should I Dump My RV Tank?

The frequency of when you should dump a sewer tank depends on how much it’s being used, but a general rule of thumb is every three to four days with regular use.

You should never allow these tanks to fill to the top, but rather empty them when they’re about two-thirds full to avoid leaks and spills.

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