RVers always have questions about their holding tanks and I’ve found holding tank hacks to help make the task of wastewater management easier and more efficient. RV gray and black water holding tanks have a vent pipe that goes from the top of the tank to the roof to expel tank odors. The problem is that this basic design creates high air pressure inside the tank. The RV living area has a lower air pressure, so when the toilet is flushed, a vacuum is created, often pulling tank odors into the RV living space. There are several things you can do to help control this issue.
Water, Water, Water
Water is your best defense! Most RV owners don’t add enough water to the holding tank after they empty it. You need to know what size holding tank you have and make sure you add enough water to completely cover the bottom of the tank every time you empty it. One RV tank might only need 3 or 4 gallons to cover the bottom of the tank, whereas another one might need 5 or more. You always want the wastewater in the holding tank covered with water. Think about the toilet in your house. Household toilets use about 1.5 gallons of water when you flush, plus there is water in the bowl.
RV toilets, however, do not store water to flush the toilet and they don’t have water in the bowl (unless you add it). You need to get in the habit of adding water to the toilet bowl prior to using it and flushing more water into the holding tank every time you flush. If you keep the water level above the contents of the holding tank, it will assist in controlling odors.
RV101 Tip: Every time you empty the holding tank, you need to add a holding tank treatment. Remember to first add enough water to cover the bottom of the tank, then add the treatment. Try different types of treatments until you find one you really like.
Preventive Maintenance
Rinsing and flushing the black water holding tank after each camping trip helps in controlling odors. There are several ways to rinse and flush the black water holding tank. You can use an RV tank flushing wand designed to go through the toilet and into the tank. It rinses the holding tank using high-pressure water. Another method is a reverse flush valve product. One end attaches to the RV holding tank drain, with the RV sewer hose attached to the opposite end. Then you connect your RV maintenance hose to the flush valve and high-pressure water is forced into the holding tank to rinse and clean it. Some RVs come equipped with a built-in black tank flush system. After you empty the holding tank, you simply attach the RV maintenance hose to the black tank flush connector and the high-water pressure rinses and cleans the tank.
RV101 Tip: Use a clear 90-degree universal sewer adapter at the campground sewer connection so you can see when the tank is clean – what an easy holding tank hack.
Vents & Gray Water Tanks
RV holding tanks have higher air pressure than the air pressure inside the RV. This allows tank odors into the living space when the toilet is flushed. To help alleviate this problem, there are roof vent replacements designed to remove tank odors through the vent pipe rather than the toilet. The roof vent creates an updraft where there is a low pressure at the exhaust port that helps pull odors up and out. Eventually, grease and residue build up in the gray water holding tank, which can cause odors, not to mention possibly damaging the tank and valve assembly. I treat the gray water tank periodically to prevent this. There are gray water tank treatments available that are environmentally safe to use.
RV101 Tip: When the gray water tank is empty, you can add a small amount of dishwashing liquid down the drain to help break down grease and residue. Run the water long enough to get the detergent past the P-traps and into the tank. Then as you drive or tow the RV, it can slosh around and clean the tank.
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This article “Holding Tank Hacks” by Mark Polk was originally published in Girl Camper Magazine.
By Mark Polk
Mark Polk of RV Education 101®, a trusted RV expert and educator, has spent the past 25 plus years educating millions of RV consumers on how to properly and safely use and maintain their motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheel trailers, all known as RVs through RV Education 101s vast offerings of RV training material found at rvonlinetraining.com
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