Where To Start
Beginner Instructional Video
Don't forget to check the valves. You need to make sure you have all valves open and the sewer line hooked to the tank and to the sewer. Some tanks have two valves, and often the galley has a separate tank and valve.
It's also important to know your clog and plugs. Is it the toilet that's plugged or is the tank plugged?
When in doubt, the best answer we can give you is to call a professional to help you.
What Not To Do
More About PYRAMID PLUGS
The most common clog is the “pyramid” plug. Technically, it is in the tank, but it happens just below the toilet. In the case of a pyramid plug, your tank can be empty but you still can’t flush anything. This plug occurs when not enough water is added when flushing, or when a worn valve gasket allows the water to leak out of the toilet before flushing. To unplug this type of clog, it is prudent to bail out the standing water or shop vac out as much as possible. I don’t, but I’ve had lots of experience doing this.
Now, watch the video below, create the tool (or purchase TankToolRx), and follow the instructions. It may take a little time for it to work, but it will work. People all over the country have successfully used this simple tool to unplug their tanks, so you can too.
Be sure to use a Johnny Chock to hold open the valve and protect the mechanism. They are purple and available at most RV supply stores. Turn on the water and use the hose pressure to blow away the bottom of the pyramid.
If you did not use one of the chemical tank treatments to try to clear the plug, this should work. Unfortunately, some of the chemicals in those tank treatments can cause the toilet paper to mineralize into struvite (What is struvite? Learn more by watching video below).
Use Only TankTechsRx In Your Tanks
Our probiotic tank treatment will liquefy the solids and allow the tank to completely empty because the heavy sludge will be turned into water. How long it will take depends on how thick the sludge is, but with TankTechsRx on board, the tanks are being continuously cleaned instead of getting harder.
More About Plugged Tanks
Tank clogs are most likely due to a valve being left open or leaking. Either way, it will be very difficult to unplug and will take time. For the foolhardy or the desperate, it is possible to unplug a tank on most motor homes and travel trailers, but exceptionally difficult on most 5th wheels. Why? The distance from the outlet to the tank in many 5th wheels is too great for a hose to reach.
If your RV has a straight run of pipe from the drain valve into the tank, you can build the simple tool referred to in this video and follow the instructions to unplug a tank in the video below.
Alternatively, you can purchase a Dual Flush by Camco. If it is going to unplug at all, a Dual Flush just might do it. Follow the instructions to connect the Dual Flush very carefully. Do I need to tell you to be sure you are securely connected to a dump station while attempting this? I didn’t think so.
By using back pressure with the Dual Flush valve closed, and the plugged tank valve open, you may unclog a line and release some sludge. It will not clean the tank, but it may help clear a line or make a little room so you can use the tank.
If you try this, NEVER EVER try to check the results by depressing the toilet valve with the toilet lid up!
If you can get any flow at all from the toilet through the tank and out the valve, TankTechsRx can be added to break the solids down to the water and eventually clean the tank. Again, this process will not clean the tank out permanently but may keep you going for a while. It will likely plug again unless you have it cleaned by a TankTechsRx certified technician, switch immediately to TankTechsRx, and correct the behavior or malfunction that caused the plug.
