We get it. You wish you didn’t have to think about it – the dreaded black water tank, which houses all of the waste from the toilet on your RV. Draining it and cleaning it can be a pain, but even bigger problems will arise if the tank isn’t drained and cleaned correctly. By properly maintaining the black water tank on your rig, you can save yourself and your passengers from having to deal with messes and odor. Read on for some helpful tips on keeping the black water tank in tip-top shape – and don’t forget the rubber gloves!
1. Get the right dump hose – You’ll need a hose to hook the waste water tank to the approved sewer drains at campsites. However, getting a good quality, heavy-duty hose with the right attachments is extremely important and worth every penny. Find a hose that condenses down as much as possible for easy transport. Also, make sure the hose comes with end caps for more sanitary storage – nobody wants leakage that can stink up the RV!
2. Invest in a clear sewer attachment or adapter – It certainly doesn’t sound like a good time on your Saturday evening to watch the waste flow from your black water tank, but having a clear attachment for your dump hose is important. Keeping an eye on what’s coming out of your tank can help you diagnose problems. Many dump hoses come with a clear attachment.
3. Don’t rely on the sensors– Most RVs come with internal sensors that will indicate how full the black water tank is so you know when it needs emptied. Unfortunately, the internal sensors won’t be accurate after a while because bits of toilet paper and other “debris” can attach to the sensors and cause them to give a false reading. The solution is to install an external monitoring system, or to simply establish a regular emptying schedule for the tank regardless of what the internal sensor reads.
4. Consider a sewer hose support – Although not necessary, an adaptable sewer hose support can make it easier to empty your tank. Not only will it keep your hose off the ground where it can potentially get cracked or damaged, but the support also helps liquids and solids to keep moving in a downward direction and can lessen the risk of clogs or backups.
5. Keep all valves closed until you’re ready to dump – By leaving the black water tank valve open, liquid from the tank can leak out and leave you with a tank of solids that will be nearly impossible to drain. Always keep your valve closed until you’re ready to empty.
Any questions? Be sure to contact us!
