Sewer leaking?

[Lei828]

Hi all, I have a question about sewer leakage. sorry about the limitation of my English first. Couple days ago was the first time I noticed the sewer was dripping when my wife was in shower( i didn’t connect the sewer hose). I connected the sewer hose and then drained all my holding tanks. I pour a full bucket of water shower, kitchen and toilet one after one and waited couple minutes in between, just want to make sure which holding tank valve leaks. However, nothing came out at all. So checked the sewer hose to make sure there was not anything left and we used water as usual on that day. However, in next day morning, I found some waste water in the sewer hose again. So I’m pretty confused what is going on and do I really need to fix anything? Thank you so much!

 

[Second Chance]

It would help to know which model and year of RV you have, but here are a couple of questions: 1) Is the unit brand new or have you had it a while? 2) If you've had it a while, have you ever noticed this before?

One thing to keep in mind is that the drain pipes from the waste tanks aren't always a steady incline down from the tanks to the hose outlet. Sometimes water in a low spot will, with even gentle movement of the RV, drain on out into the hose. Without knowing more, I don't know if you have a problem or not.

By the way - your English is a lot better than my French... or Spanish... or German...

Rob

 

[Lei828]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply.
Mine is 2018 GD reflection 150, 230BL.
I purchased it pre owned and have had it for over 4 month without noticing any issue. I thought that if something wrong with the valve there must some water came out after a whole bucket of water pour into all three holding tanks. So I’m confused.

 

[Second Chance]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply.
Mine is 2018 GD reflection 150, 230BL.
I purchased it pre owned and have had it for over 4 month without noticing any issue. I thought that if something wrong with the valve there must some water came out after a whole bucket of water pour into all three holding tanks. So I’m confused.

One bucket of water is barely enough to cover the bottom of one tank, so I'm not surprised if that's not reproducint the problem. With the age of the unit, though, you may have a leaky valve. If it were me, I would consider having a mobile tech come look at things (make sure all of the tanks are fairly full before he/she comes - they can drain them if need be).

Rob

 

[trailrydr]

As Rob stated, 1 bucket of water is probably not enough volume to test with for each tank. Would start to fill each tank 1 at a time and see when a leak starts to occur. Valves over time can start to leak a little due to grit or foriegn particles getting wedged in the gaskets. Usually though it is only a small amount of whatever that gets through prior to dumping.

Various posts here and on the net on ways to try and clean out tanks and valves by using certain fluids. We have always flushed our tank/valves with clean water after each camp trip/empty and work the valves open then shut to help remove any foreign "residue" from the seal(s) areas while draining.

Otherwise, you may need to clean or replace the gaskets and/or valves which both can usually be found on amazon/net/GD parts/etc. The process itself isnt that hard, but requires that the coroplast be lowered to gain access for any maintenance to the tank valve/gasket asemblies. Information on ways to do this can also be searched on this forum. And as always, a mobile tech can also perform this task, but usually at a travel to site cost plus labor and parts which from experience can be pricey. The gaskets/valves are reasonably priced if you are willing to do it yourself.

 

[chemist308]

It’s common for those gate valves to leak a little. That’s why you’ll often get some spill out whenever you travel and remove the cap to connect the waste line. To stop that use an additional external gate valve.
https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-Twist-On-Waste-Valve/dp/B000BGHYJS/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1WVNVPIB7I0F0&keywords=rv+gate+valve+waste+line&qid=1678129746&sprefix=rv+gate+valve+waste+lin%2Caps%2C288&sr=8-3

 

[ForBruce]

Hi all, I have a question about sewer leakage. sorry about the limitation of my English first. Couple days ago was the first time I noticed the sewer was dripping when my wife was in shower( i didn’t connect the sewer hose). I connected the sewer hose and then drained all my holding tanks. I pour a full bucket of water shower, kitchen and toilet one after one and waited couple minutes in between, just want to make sure which holding tank valve leaks. However, nothing came out at all. So checked the sewer hose to make sure there was not anything left and we used water as usual on that day. However, in next day morning, I found some waste water in the sewer hose again. So I’m pretty confused what is going on and do I really need to fix anything? Thank you so much!

i had a similar problem-- i use food coloring both red and green in a 5 gallon bucket and dumped into the shower and also the kitchen.. to find the bad valve

 

[Petrovsky]

Hi all, I have a question about sewer leakage. sorry about the limitation of my English first. Couple days ago was the first time I noticed the sewer was dripping when my wife was in shower( i didn’t connect the sewer hose). I connected the sewer hose and then drained all my holding tanks. I pour a full bucket of water shower, kitchen and toilet one after one and waited couple minutes in between, just want to make sure which holding tank valve leaks. However, nothing came out at all. So checked the sewer hose to make sure there was not anything left and we used water as usual on that day. However, in next day morning, I found some waste water in the sewer hose again. So I’m pretty confused what is going on and do I really need to fix anything? Thank you so much!

The respondents to your query all have good ideas and suggestions. I will summarize what I did last year when I though I too had a leaky valve.

At home, drain all your tanks, close the valves, place a bucket under the main drain and leave it uncapped overnight to make sure all the liquid has been drained out. Fill one tank and let that sit overnight with the main drain cap off...collecting what might leak out into the bucket. Repeat the process for all your tanks but make sure that in between your tests that the drain lines are empty. You should find the culprit valve fairly quickly. I too thought I had a leaky valve but with 3 tanks dumping into the main exit "drain".....there is enough residual liquid that after I cap it, there is an accumulation of roughly a 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid.

The use of an external valve (Valtera) is also a very good idea as it acts as a safety net.