Plugged down tube to black tank

[curlyfungirl]

Does anyone know if our rig will handle the bromm handle treatment? Thanks

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by curlyfungirl

Does anyone know if our rig will handle the bromm handle treatment? Thanks

If you mean using a broom stick to unclog the toilet ... not on a 5er unless your broom stick can bend past two 45° turns. Besides .... why would you want to do that to Mabel anyway???

[curlyfungirl]

Is it safe to use a small plunger to try to unplug the plug?? Or will it burst something down below.

[JRTJH]

It sounds like you've got a plug and no plumber's snake. A broomhandle won't get around the corners, but if you have a straight shot from the toilet down to the tank, it may help move a pyramid of TP out of the way. If you have the angled drain, no snake, maybe, if you have an old vinyl garden hose, cut the end off of it and it may snake its way down the bends. Best thing though would be a quick run to WalMart's plumbing section with a $10 bill in hand......

[curlyfungirl]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

It sounds like you've got a plug and no plumber's snake. A broomhandle won't get around the corners, but if you have a straight shot from the toilet down to the tank, it may help move a pyramid of TP out of the way. If you have the angled drain, no snake, maybe, if you have an old vinyl garden hose, cut the end off of it and it may snake its way down the bends. Best thing though would be a quick run to WalMart's plumbing section with a $10 bill in hand......

Is a plunger a no go too?

[JRTJH]

I wouldn't use one. The pipe from the toilet to the holding tank is, at best, Schedule 20 PVC. That's rather thin and fragile. Also, the sealing ring at the flange between the toilet and the floor is not a good pressure seal. It's will not hold back an aggressive plunger nearly as well as the wax ring on a home toilet. Between the "lightweight plumbing" and the "dried up poo" I'd rather work with a piece of garden hose or a small plumber's snake and not risk splitting a pipe somewhere in the bowels of my RV.

No, I wouldn't suggest a plunger, your toilet system may not survive the excess pressure and your toilet valve (the one that closes the hole to the black tank) has a pretty delicate rubber sealing ring that you'd most likely damage with any plunging.

[curlyfungirl]

I appreciate your input. I shall prepare the instruments for the black tank operation.

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I wouldn't use one. The pipe from the toilet to the holding tank is, at best, Schedule 20 PVC. That's rather thin and fragile. Also, the sealing ring at the flange between the toilet and the floor is not a good pressure seal. It's will not hold back an aggressive plunger nearly as well as the wax ring on a home toilet. Between the "lightweight plumbing" and the "dried up poo" I'd rather work with a piece of garden hose or a small plumber's snake and not risk splitting a pipe somewhere in the bowels of my RV.

No, I wouldn't suggest a plunger, your toilet system may not survive the excess pressure and your toilet valve (the one that closes the hole to the black tank) has a pretty delicate rubber sealing ring that you'd most likely damage with any plunging.

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by curlyfungirl

Is it safe to use a small plunger to try to unplug the plug?? Or will it burst something down below.

On a residential toilet using a plunger you run the risk of forcing "stuff" past the wax seal between the toilet and the floor flange if the clog is very solid. On an RV they use a rubber seal but I imagine if the clog was solid and you got a little forceful you could do the same. A toilet snake will unclog the pipe and also stir "stuff" up down in the tank in case you do have that "Dreadful Pyramid". Once it's clear "MORE water LESS paper" and nothing that has not passed through a human body.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by curlyfungirl

I appreciate your input. I shall prepare the instruments for the black tank operation.

I'll meet you at the scrub sink, Somebody pour a pint of alcohol down the toilet to anesthesize the patient

[hankpage]

Anesthetize the plumber, poor the pint down him instead..

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

I wouldn't use one. The pipe from the toilet to the holding tank is, at best, Schedule 20 PVC. That's rather thin and fragile. Also, the sealing ring at the flange between the toilet and the floor is not a good pressure seal. It's will not hold back an aggressive plunger nearly as well as the wax ring on a home toilet. Between the "lightweight plumbing" and the "dried up poo" I'd rather work with a piece of garden hose or a small plumber's snake and not risk splitting a pipe somewhere in the bowels of my RV.

No, I wouldn't suggest a plunger, your toilet system may not survive the excess pressure and your toilet valve (the one that closes the hole to the black tank) has a pretty delicate rubber sealing ring that you'd most likely damage with any plunging.

100% agree. Plungers and other pressure devices have no use in RV drainage plumbing.

If you have a straight down tube from the toilet to the tank, most any rod or stick will work because you can see straight down into the tank. I greatly prefer a piece of 1" Schedule 40 PVC pipe with a cap on the end. It's strong enough to clear your clog, won't absorb "moisture", and is easy to clean with no crevices to hold the crud.

If you have the notorious bent down pipe, then stick with either a piece of garden hose or the cheapie short snake.

[Ruffus]

This thread is almost as interesting as a good mystery novel, "Who or what plugged the camode?"
I've even lost track on who's crapper are we talking about? Keep me posted, I'm waiting for the next novel, I want to know what clogged the pipe?

[hankpage]

Originally Posted by Ruffus

This thread is almost as interesting as a good mystery novel, "Who or what plugged the camode?"
I've even lost track on who's crapper are we talking about? Keep me posted, I'm waiting for the next novel, I want to know what clogged the pipe?

What evil lurks in the hearts of toilets???? Only the Shadow knows!
You youngsters will just have to ignore this. I'm going back to watch radio now.

[hankaye]

The 'Other' Hank, Howdy;

They wouldn't know what the radio is either...

hankaye

[curlyfungirl]

Originally Posted by hankpage

Anesthetize the plumber, poor the pint down him instead..

The surgeon is a she........ Hubby's tummy is too weak for this stuff. I got the tank to drain but the toilet still will only run very slowly at best. I think I need to pick up a toilet snaike to finish the job. The poor hose is going into the garbage today. Am I correct the the gray tanks help to flush out the black tank?

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by curlyfungirl

Am I correct the the gray tanks help to flush out the black tank?

Partly. The gray and black tanks usually share some portions of the drain piping plus the final dump valve, and (of course) stinky slinky. The gray tanks DO NOT drain through the black tanks. All that means that you dump black first and then gray so that the gray is helping to flush and clean out the drain pipes and stinky slinky.

The gray tanks can not clean out the black tanks because the gray water does not flow through the black tanks.

[curlyfungirl]

I don't know what happened but the black tank and the toilet finally emptied all of the way yesterday. I Plan on putting 1/3 tank of water in after each emptying of the tank to hopefully avert an other black tower. It was awful to deal with.

[geo]

Might I suggest dropping in to a Walmart or grocery store for a trip down the laundry products aisle? Find a box of "Arm & Hammer Washing Soda", traditionally in a blue box - not "Baking Soda". The Washing Soda, if you look on the side, is "sodium carbonate". When you put your third tank water in after a flush, dump a cup of washing soda down the toilet. The soda will "soften" the water and "makes it slick".

Ron

[curlyfungirl]

Am willing to try anything to avoid that disaster again!

[Lack of HP]

I must say I have enjoyed this post probably more than any I have read. More interesting than the Tires, AC Units, Showers or lights. What else could keep you this amused on a cold winter day.
Looking forward to some happy, happy,camping.