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Have a leaking valve from grey water. Can this valve be replaced easily myself? Will it present any problems to waste system by using an external valve pull attached to end of sewer that prevents dumping any on ground?
Hi Linda. It really depends on what RV you have and what system is used for filling the fresh tank. There are a few different ways. Gravity fill is the most common. This is done by placing the hose into the inlet and filling the tank, could also be done with a bucket and funnel if needed. Some other systems use a city inlet to fill the tank. This requires the hose to be attached to a water connection and typically turning a valve to allow the water into the tank instead of the water lines. If you have to screw the hose to a connection for the fresh tank fill then there could be a valve that needs turned to open the flow if it is also used for the city connection. These sometimes also have a check valve and if water isn’t flowing this valve could be bad. If you have a gravity tank, it is possible there is a kink in the fill line somewhere. As for the tanks not dumping, it depends on what issues you are having. If the gate valve doesn’t move it could be stuck and needs lubricated. Sometimes you have to disassemble the gate valve to free it up. If the handle pulls but nothing comes out the valve might be broken or there is a blockage in the system, again taking the valve apart might be necessary. Some systems require two valves to open to allow all the contents to flow out, most don’t though. It is possible you don’t have any issues and maybe some valves just need to be turned but without knowing your exact system I can’t tell for sure. It would be best to reference your owners manual and see if there is something else that needs done to fill the fresh tank and empty the waste tanks.
Dan
RV Repair Club
Not knowing if the holding tanks are installed so that the material will just flow out until empty, I’ve raised the opposite side of the rig to make it higher than the dump side before dumping. Usually a few inches to make it tilt a little. I can’t see into tanks so I think it works ok. Any comment on this technique?
Many say that they use Downey Fabric softener in their Black holding tank they state that nothing will stick to the sides, what is your opinion
Thank You Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey. I have heard of people doing this and have heard mixed results. I know some people swear by it. I have not personally tried it myself. I have heard that you shouldn’t mix chemicals in the tanks. You should be using regular blank tank digester to help break down the contents of the tank. If you mix other chemicals with it, it could prevent them from working properly. There are ingredients in most black tank chemicals to help prevent build up on the side walls. If you are having issues I would recommend testing out a different product to see if it helps. I recommend the products from Unique, they work really well. https://uniquecampingmarine.com/products/rv-digest-it-holding-tank-treatment
Dan
RV Repair Club
If zI am replacing the original water heater with the exact same water heater, how difficult will it be for me to accomplish this? The water heater is in the corner where my bathroom closet is & there is no access point inside the closet . . . Will we have to go in through the outside compartment located right next to the water heater located on the opposing wall? Thanx a bunch!
Hi Colleen. Most likely you are going to have to gain access to the back of the water heater to remove it. Most of the time there isn’t enough play in the water lines to just pull it out of the opening. I have been able to do it in the past so it is possible but most of the time it is best to gain access to the rear of the tank to disconnect the water lines and electrical wiring. You just remove the screws from the outside, disconnect the gas lines and pull the tank out. You will most likely have to swap some of the plumbing to the new tank but this is fairly easy to do. If there is no access in the bathroom then the access should be from the outside compartment. You might have to remove something inside of the compartment but there should be a way to gain access to this area. I would try this first before pulling the tank. The tank replacement is fairly easy, again just disconnecting water lines, the electrical wiring and the gas connection and then the tank can be removed. They are pretty well sealed so you might struggle with the putty tape around the edges, just keep scraping and pulling at the edges and it should come right out. I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club
Hi Jody,
Here is what our expert had to say:
The best thing to do is to make sure not to put solid food down the drain. All dishes need to be fully scraped off before washing to prevent build up and blockages in the plumbing. When about done with a trip it is always a good idea to run some water down the faucets for a few minutes to help push and flush out anything that might be in the traps. This will help prevent smells in the sinks during storage as well.
Sincerely, Dan RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Let us know if any other questions come up!
Sincerely,
Codi
RV Repair Club Video Membership
When storing sewer hose I always connect it to itself so as to prevent any contamination from the hose to leak into the compartment, contrary to what is being show in the videos.
I am get ready to do a trip to Montana. I prip before trips.
Winterize
Switch identification
Thank you!
Have a leaking valve from grey water. Can this valve be replaced easily myself? Will it present any problems to waste system by using an external valve pull attached to end of sewer that prevents dumping any on ground?
Hello Walter,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model or your RV please?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
Please send info for Generator, AC, Furnace, Refrigerator for this model
Hello Naeem. What model are you referring to?
Jean
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Not able to fill the fresh water tanks and able to dump tank 1 but not tank 2. I’m sorry but I’m a newbie and don’t know what I’m doing.
Hi Linda. It really depends on what RV you have and what system is used for filling the fresh tank. There are a few different ways. Gravity fill is the most common. This is done by placing the hose into the inlet and filling the tank, could also be done with a bucket and funnel if needed. Some other systems use a city inlet to fill the tank. This requires the hose to be attached to a water connection and typically turning a valve to allow the water into the tank instead of the water lines. If you have to screw the hose to a connection for the fresh tank fill then there could be a valve that needs turned to open the flow if it is also used for the city connection. These sometimes also have a check valve and if water isn’t flowing this valve could be bad. If you have a gravity tank, it is possible there is a kink in the fill line somewhere. As for the tanks not dumping, it depends on what issues you are having. If the gate valve doesn’t move it could be stuck and needs lubricated. Sometimes you have to disassemble the gate valve to free it up. If the handle pulls but nothing comes out the valve might be broken or there is a blockage in the system, again taking the valve apart might be necessary. Some systems require two valves to open to allow all the contents to flow out, most don’t though. It is possible you don’t have any issues and maybe some valves just need to be turned but without knowing your exact system I can’t tell for sure. It would be best to reference your owners manual and see if there is something else that needs done to fill the fresh tank and empty the waste tanks.
Dan
RV Repair Club
This is the motorhome I own.
Not knowing if the holding tanks are installed so that the material will just flow out until empty, I’ve raised the opposite side of the rig to make it higher than the dump side before dumping. Usually a few inches to make it tilt a little. I can’t see into tanks so I think it works ok. Any comment on this technique?
Hello GF,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model or your RV please?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
Xx
ins and outs of the water heater.How it works
What is the best for towing a small car gypsy or a a frame
Hello Jenny,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
The toilet paper story was very informative
Many say that they use Downey Fabric softener in their Black holding tank they state that nothing will stick to the sides, what is your opinion
Thank You Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey. I have heard of people doing this and have heard mixed results. I know some people swear by it. I have not personally tried it myself. I have heard that you shouldn’t mix chemicals in the tanks. You should be using regular blank tank digester to help break down the contents of the tank. If you mix other chemicals with it, it could prevent them from working properly. There are ingredients in most black tank chemicals to help prevent build up on the side walls. If you are having issues I would recommend testing out a different product to see if it helps. I recommend the products from Unique, they work really well.
https://uniquecampingmarine.com/products/rv-digest-it-holding-tank-treatment
Dan
RV Repair Club
If zI am replacing the original water heater with the exact same water heater, how difficult will it be for me to accomplish this? The water heater is in the corner where my bathroom closet is & there is no access point inside the closet . . . Will we have to go in through the outside compartment located right next to the water heater located on the opposing wall? Thanx a bunch!
Hi Colleen. Most likely you are going to have to gain access to the back of the water heater to remove it. Most of the time there isn’t enough play in the water lines to just pull it out of the opening. I have been able to do it in the past so it is possible but most of the time it is best to gain access to the rear of the tank to disconnect the water lines and electrical wiring. You just remove the screws from the outside, disconnect the gas lines and pull the tank out. You will most likely have to swap some of the plumbing to the new tank but this is fairly easy to do. If there is no access in the bathroom then the access should be from the outside compartment. You might have to remove something inside of the compartment but there should be a way to gain access to this area. I would try this first before pulling the tank. The tank replacement is fairly easy, again just disconnecting water lines, the electrical wiring and the gas connection and then the tank can be removed. They are pretty well sealed so you might struggle with the putty tape around the edges, just keep scraping and pulling at the edges and it should come right out. I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club
We are new to RV camping, the black water tank segment video was great, thank you
General.Information
Is there good practice for keeping the kitchen plumbing clear — without a garbage disposal?
Hi Jody,
Here is what our expert had to say:
The best thing to do is to make sure not to put solid food down the drain. All dishes need to be fully scraped off before washing to prevent build up and blockages in the plumbing. When about done with a trip it is always a good idea to run some water down the faucets for a few minutes to help push and flush out anything that might be in the traps. This will help prevent smells in the sinks during storage as well.
Sincerely, Dan RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Let us know if any other questions come up!
Sincerely,
Codi
RV Repair Club Video Membership
When storing sewer hose I always connect it to itself so as to prevent any contamination from the hose to leak into the compartment, contrary to what is being show in the videos.
Hello Charles,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership