Camper toilets can get clogged, and it's a common problem that many RV owners face. The good news is that there are ways to prevent and fix this issue. The first step is to diagnose the problem. Most clogs are caused by a pyramid plug, a blockage in the line between the toilet and the holding tank, compacted waste clogging the tank or discharge line, or faulty sensors.
To determine the cause, you can try flushing the toilet. If the water backs up into the bowl instead of draining, you likely have a pyramid plug or a blockage in the line. If water goes down the toilet into the tank, the issue may lie elsewhere.
Once you've identified the problem, you can try various methods to unclog your toilet. For pyramid plugs, using a sturdy stick or flexible PEX pipe to push the waste down into the tank can help. For blockages in the line, a plunger, hot water, or chemical treatments may do the trick.
To prevent future clogs, it's important to keep the blackwater tank valve closed unless you're dumping it, use enough water when flushing, and choose the right kind of toilet paper.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can a camper toilet get clogged? | Yes |
Ways to prevent clogs | Keep black tank valve closed unless dumping the tank, use composting toilet, don't flush toilet paper, use plenty of water when flushing, use RV-specific toilet paper, use tank treatments |
Ways to unclog | Use a sturdy stick to push waste into the tank, use a flexible pipe to break up the blockage, pour boiling water down the toilet, use a plunger, use a toilet auger, use chemicals to dissolve solids |
What You'll Learn
How to prevent clogs in your camper toilet
Camper toilets can get clogged, and it's not a pretty situation to be in. Luckily, there are ways to prevent clogs in your camper toilet. Here are some tips to help you avoid this unpleasant situation:
- Use the right kind of toilet paper: Opt for toilet paper that is specifically designed for RVs. It should be septic-safe and quickly biodegradable to prevent blockages and damage to in-tank sensors. Scott's toilet paper is a popular choice among RVers.
- Use enough water when flushing: Ensure you use plenty of water when flushing, especially after a number two. It is recommended to use between 3/4 to one gallon of water each time you flush solids. This helps prevent clogs by keeping the waste in a liquid solution and allowing it to break down more easily.
- Don't leave the black water tank valve open: Always keep your black water tank valve closed unless you are dumping your tank. Leaving it open allows liquid waste to drain out, causing solids to pile up and form a clog.
- Regularly add waste-controlling chemicals: Use odor and waste-controlling chemicals regularly to expedite the breakdown of solid waste and prevent clogs. Unique Clear-It is a recommended product for this purpose.
- Maintain your black water tank: Flush out your black water tank periodically and use good RV toilet chemicals to maintain its health. Happy Campers RV Holding Tank Treatment is a popular choice for many RVers.
- Don't store waste in the black water tank: When storing your RV, keep a little water in the black water tank along with odor and waste-control additives. Never store your RV with waste in the black water tank as it can dry up and turn into a solid brick, making it difficult to remove.
- Be mindful of your waste and dumping frequency: If you have a combined grey and black water tank, be more conscious of your waste and dump more frequently. This type of tank requires more attention to how much paper and water you use.
- Consider a composting toilet: If you want to avoid clogs altogether, consider investing in a composting toilet. This eliminates the need to worry about toilet paper and water usage.
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What to do if your camper toilet is clogged
Having a clogged toilet in your camper is a nasty job, but someone's got to do it. Here are some ways to unclog it.
Identify the type of clog
First, you need to identify what type of clog you're dealing with. Is it an obstruction blocking the door seal into the blackwater tank, or a clog below the seal? This will determine your next steps.
Clear the clog
If it's a clog blocking the door seal, use a sturdy stick to push the waste obstruction into the tank. Be careful not to push it further down the system, as this could create another clog.
If the clog is below the seal, you'll need some tools:
- Three to eight feet of 3/4-inch Pex pipe
- Two or more bottles of RV black tank clearing fluid
- A flexible water wand designed for spraying out RV tanks
- Eye protection, gloves, and any other personal protective equipment (PPE) you deem necessary
Once you have your tools, follow these steps:
- Determine if you have a direct-flush or piped-flush system.
- Turn off the freshwater supply to the toilet and close the blackwater tank valve on the outside.
- Slowly pour one bottle of RV tank clearing liquid into the toilet to help break up the blockage.
- Observe how fast the product goes down the toilet. If there's no movement, let it sit for 24 to 48 hours. If it's moving, proceed to the next step.
- Insert the flexible Pex pipe into the toilet opening and move it around to break up the blockage.
- Pour water slowly into the toilet. If the water drains faster, turn the water back on and flush the toilet.
- If it flushes but remains slow, add a second bottle of tank clearing liquid and flush three to six more times.
- If it's still clogged, let it sit for 24 to 48 hours to give the fluid more time to dissolve the blockage.
- If it's only mostly cleared, continue to use the toilet normally for the next 24 hours, then empty the blackwater tank.
- After emptying the tank, use the flexible RV tank spray water wand to shoot water into the blackwater tank from the outside, thoroughly rinsing it out. Add another bottle of tank clearing fluid if needed.
Prevent future clogs
To prevent future clogs, follow these tips:
- Never leave the blackwater tank's exterior valve open while hooked up to an RV park sewer system.
- Do not use regular toilet paper. Use RV toilet paper, which is specifically designed to biodegrade rapidly and prevent blockages.
- Keep plenty of water in the blackwater tank. When in doubt, flush an extra time or two after a number two.
- Regularly add odor and waste-controlling chemicals to break down solid waste.
- Never store your RV with waste in the blackwater tank. Instead, keep a little water and odor and waste-control additives.
Alternative methods
If you don't have the tools mentioned above, here are some alternative methods that might work:
- Hot water: Bring a pot of water to a rapid boil and pour it into the toilet. You may need to do this several times, and it may take a while to work.
- Dish soap and hot water: Add a generous amount of liquid dish soap to the toilet bowl, followed by hot water. Let it sit, then attempt to flush.
- Chemical RV toilet cleaners: Try using RV-specific chemical cleaners to dissolve clogs.
- Flexible stick or hose: Use a flexible stick or hose to gently push the clog through into the holding tank. Be careful not to push too hard, as you may damage your RV pipes.
Good luck!
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What causes camper toilets to clog
Camper toilets can get clogged due to a variety of reasons. One of the most common causes is a pyramid plug, which occurs when liquid waste flows out of the tank but solid waste accumulates, forming a dense conical shape of waste that blocks the toilet. This usually happens when the black water tank valve is left open, allowing liquid waste to drain out while solids pile up.
Another cause of clogging is a blockage in the line between the toilet and the holding tank, often at elbows or bends in the pipe. This is more common in RVs where the toilet is located farther away from the holding tank. Excessive toilet paper can get stuck in these lines, leading to blockages.
Using the wrong type of toilet paper can also contribute to clogging. Regular toilet paper that does not rapidly break down can clog the blackwater tank and damage in-tank sensors. It is recommended to use RV-specific toilet paper that is designed to biodegrade quickly.
Not using enough water when flushing can also lead to clogs. It is important to use plenty of water when flushing solids to ensure that waste is effectively flushed down the line.
Finally, not maintaining the black tank can lead to clogs. Regularly flushing out the tank and using good RV toilet chemicals can help prevent clogs.
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How to unclog a camper toilet
Step 1: Identify the Type of Clog
Before you can unclog your camper toilet, you need to identify what type of clog you're dealing with. Is it an obstruction blocking the door seal into the blackwater tank, or is it a clog below the seal? This will determine the best method for unclogging your toilet.
Step 2: Gather Your Supplies
Depending on the type of clog and your camper's plumbing setup, you may need different tools to unclog your toilet. Here are some common supplies you may need:
- Sturdy stick or small section of a water hose
- Flexible Pex pipe (3/4-inch diameter, 3-8 feet long)
- RV black tank clearing fluid
- Flexible water wand for spraying out RV tanks
- Eye protection, gloves, and other personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Plunger (not recommended for all setups)
- Boiling water
- Dish soap
- RV-specific chemical cleaners
Step 3: Unclog the Toilet
If the clog is blocking the door seal, simply use a sturdy stick to push the waste obstruction into the blackwater tank. If it's something other than waste, like a towel, remove it upward to avoid creating another clog.
For clogs below the seal, follow these steps:
- Turn off the freshwater supply to the toilet and close the blackwater tank valve on the outside.
- Slowly pour one bottle of RV tank clearing liquid into the toilet to help break up the blockage.
- Observe how fast the product goes down the toilet. If there's no movement, let it sit for 24-48 hours. If it's moving, proceed to the next step.
- Insert the flexible Pex pipe into the toilet opening and move it up and down at angles to break up the blockage.
- Pour water slowly into the toilet. If the water drains faster, turn the water back on and flush the toilet.
- If it flushes but remains slow, add a second bottle of tank clearing liquid and flush 3-6 more times.
- If the clog persists, let it sit for 24-48 hours to give the fluid more time to dissolve the blockage.
- If it's only mostly cleared, continue to use the toilet normally for the next 24 hours, then empty the blackwater tank.
- After emptying the tank, use a flexible RV tank spray water wand to thoroughly rinse out the blackwater tank and remove any remaining debris.
Step 4: Prevent Future Clogs
To prevent future clogs in your camper toilet, follow these tips:
- Never leave the blackwater tank's exterior valve open while hooked up to an RV park sewer system.
- Use RV-specific toilet paper that rapidly biodegrades to prevent blockages and damage to in-tank sensors.
- Keep plenty of water in the blackwater tank and flush an extra time or two after using the toilet.
- Regularly add odor and waste-controlling chemicals to break down solid waste.
- Never store your RV with waste in the blackwater tank; instead, keep a little water and odor/waste-control additives.
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What to do if hot water doesn't unclog your camper toilet
If you're dealing with a clogged camper toilet and hot water isn't doing the trick, don't panic. Here are some alternative methods you can try to get things flowing smoothly again:
- Use a toilet plunger: If you can see the clog in the toilet, add some water to the bowl and use a plunger to vigorously pump up and down 15-20 times. Repeat this process 2-3 times if needed.
- Try a toilet snake: If your RV toilet is on the narrower side, a slim toilet snake (or auger) may be a better option than a plunger. Push it down the toilet until you hit the clog, then twist and push to break it up.
- Use a pressurized hose: Hook up a hose (not the one you use for drinking water) to a water source and stick it into the toilet. Snake it through a window if needed. Turn on the water to full pressure and keep it running until your indicator says the black water tank is full.
- Try a flexible tank wand: If your pipes are especially narrow, you can attach a flexible tank wand to your hose. This flexible tubing can more easily navigate the tight spaces.
- Use a septic-safe toilet unclogger: Purchase a septic-safe liquid toilet unclogger from your local hardware store or online. Fill the toilet halfway with water, pour in the declogger, and wait a couple of hours before flushing. Drive your RV around for 30 minutes to agitate the liquid in the black water tank.
- Call a professional: If none of the above methods work, it may be time to contact a professional RV plumber to diagnose and fix the issue.
Preventing future clogs
To reduce the chances of your camper toilet getting clogged in the future, consider the following:
- Use septic-safe toilet paper: Regular toilet paper can easily clog RV toilets. Opt for septic-safe toilet paper and use less of it with each flush.
- Increase water usage: Use lots of water with each flush to help break down waste and toilet paper, allowing them to travel more smoothly into the black water tank.
- Add a waste digester: Purchase a waste digester (liquid or packet form) from your local hardware store or online. This will help break down waste in the black water tank.
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Frequently asked questions
The number one cause of a clog in a camper toilet is flushing toilet paper.
The best way to prevent clogs in a camper toilet is to not flush toilet paper and to use a lot of water when flushing.
Some ways to unclog a camper toilet include using a plunger, a toilet auger, a flexible stick or hose, or pouring hot water into the toilet.
Some signs that a camper toilet is clogged include water backing up into the toilet bowl instead of flushing down into the tank, and the toilet not draining at all.
Some tips for maintaining a camper toilet to prevent clogs include regularly flushing out the tank, using good RV toilet chemicals, and keeping the black tank valve closed unless dumping the tank.