Toilet Paper clog in the Black Tank

Grand Master IceMan

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2020
Messages
283
Hello,
I have another toilet paper clog in the blank tank ...again.

The local septic service charges $100 to pump, but that doesn't always work.
There's a pressure washer service that does work but it's about $300!

...Is there anything I can do to try myself other than filling up with water and flushing, which I've done 3 times now to ono avail?
Important to note that the water does drain fairly well, so there's really no more poo or pee to speak of.

Looking into the future -- since this tends to happen from time to time:
...Is there a better TP brand or certain Chemical I can use to help?
To this point, I've just been using the only 1-ply septic safe TP they have at the grocery store and those Camco TST drop-ins.

Thanks, CCE
 
Have you tried one of the wand type things one can buy or make? It is about 3 feet long, connects to the water hose, has an on/off, squirts a high psi stream at the bottom of said rod.
Put it in the toylet with dump valve open and squirt all around, starting aiming towards the dump part of the tank.

...
Thinking outside the normal box.
...
If it keeps happening often as you say. Also get a ( flex bend claw/grabber ) thingy, they come in different lengths, seem cheap enough as i just googled them. I have one for dropping nuts and bolts and such in the engine bay, it comes in handy.
It will be not fun, but aim towards drain part and grab away. It would also work to push though a plug to get to drain.
 
We will never have this problem.
We have a trash can with a lid and all TP goes in and change it everyday.
 
Thanks for that suggestion.
But, just to be clear, am I shooting from the toilet, the outlet, or do both?

Assuming you are looking down through the toilet to see the toilet paper problem?

The black tank is directly below the toilet, so you would be able to see it, if it is the "poop pyramid".

You should be able to go directly down the toilet with a wand to spray down the tank.

If things are draining, how do you know there is a problem?
 
Seeing as this is not the first issue, the most common cause it's not using enough water when you flush. Start with about 5 gallons in the tank after each cleaning the tank Like Steve asked if it's draining fine how do you know there is a mound?

Add half a tank of water and take the trailer for about an hour drive on a bumpy road, that will loosen things up unless it's turned into cement.
 
Toilet paper dissolves to mush in just a short while soaking in water. Virtually impossible to clog anything for long with just toilet paper. My guess is something else is being flushed or you aren’t using enough water.
 
Assuming you are looking down through the toilet to see the toilet paper problem?

The black tank is directly below the toilet, so you would be able to see it, if it is the "poop pyramid".

You should be able to go directly down the toilet with a wand to spray down the tank.

If things are draining, how do you know there is a problem?

Thanks, but I meant whether I should spray down into the toilet or up through the outlet, or both
 
Have you tried one of the wand type things one can buy or make? It is about 3 feet long, connects to the water hose, has an on/off, squirts a high psi stream at the bottom of said rod.
Put it in the toylet with dump valve open and squirt all around, starting aiming towards the dump part of the tank.

...
Thinking outside the normal box.
...
If it keeps happening often as you say. Also get a ( flex bend claw/grabber ) thingy, they come in different lengths, seem cheap enough as i just googled them. I have one for dropping nuts and bolts and such in the engine bay, it comes in handy.
It will be not fun, but aim towards drain part and grab away. It would also work to push though a plug to get to drain.

Unfortunately my trash grabber is too big to fit down the toilet hole.
 
Last edited:
Seeing as this is not the first issue, the most common cause it's not using enough water when you flush. Start with about 5 gallons in the tank after each cleaning the tank Like Steve asked if it's draining fine how do you know there is a mound?

Add half a tank of water and take the trailer for about an hour drive on a bumpy road, that will loosen things up unless it's turned into cement.

I'm not sure how long it take to fill 5 gallons when just pressing the foot lever..?

And since i live in mine, it's not quite so easy to pack up, hook up, and go for a drive ...but I suppose I could.
 
I wonder if you haven't something that's causing your clog since it has happened several times. I have read of people who found the circle of PVC the company cut out of the tank.
 
I would try a couple of items. Normally we put silicone around the rubber seal to keep it lubricated and maintain water in the commode. This year when I winterized, I put Thetford RV seal and lube in. It was still there in the spring. The advantage of this is when you flush in the spring, it lubricates the down pipe to prevent clogs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NSU0ZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1).

We have had really good luck with this brand of TP (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M2LCMQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). We drain the tank frequently (I don't want to pull the extra weigh) and have yet to see any semblance of TP coming out of the discharge when dumping.

A lot of water is your friend.

The other item we use is Green Gobbler (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M2LCMQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

You may have a functional design problem, but any of these might help.
 
Use a gallon jug and dump 1 gallon of water in the toilet, now you know how many toilets full of water will make the 5 to 10 gallons you want to put in after you dump.

Keep the outlet valve closed until the tank is full, dumping at half full all of the time will increase the chances of something unpleasant staying in the tank.

When flushing which includes paper be sure to run a good bit of water into the toilet before pushing the pedal all the way down to flush, that way there is a good rush of water to help move the paper around when it hits the tank.

Adding a tank treatment that is enzyme based can help with liquifying the stuff in the tank. Camper’s friend is a common brand name. Some say it will not help, but it certainly won’t hurt so it may be worth a try.
 
We will never have this problem.
We have a trash can with a lid and all TP goes in and change it everyday.

Ewww. PU.
We use Charmin 2 ply. It passes the dissolve in the glass test with flying colors. Can’t even see the paper coming out of the hose.
Rich
 
I would try a couple of items. Normally we put silicone around the rubber seal to keep it lubricated and maintain water in the commode. This year when I winterized, I put Thetford RV seal and lube in. It was still there in the spring. The advantage of this is when you flush in the spring, it lubricates the down pipe to prevent clogs (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NSU0ZW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1).

We have had really good luck with this brand of TP (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M2LCMQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). We drain the tank frequently (I don't want to pull the extra weigh) and have yet to see any semblance of TP coming out of the discharge when dumping.

A lot of water is your friend.

The other item we use is Green Gobbler (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M2LCMQF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

You may have a functional design problem, but any of these might help.

Thanks for those suggestions. I just ordered them!
 
Use a gallon jug and dump 1 gallon of water in the toilet, now you know how many toilets full of water will make the 5 to 10 gallons you want to put in after you dump.

Keep the outlet valve closed until the tank is full, dumping at half full all of the time will increase the chances of something unpleasant staying in the tank.

When flushing which includes paper be sure to run a good bit of water into the toilet before pushing the pedal all the way down to flush, that way there is a good rush of water to help move the paper around when it hits the tank.

Adding a tank treatment that is enzyme based can help with liquifying the stuff in the tank. Camper’s friend is a common brand name. Some say it will not help, but it certainly won’t hurt so it may be worth a try.

OK thanks; yeah, I probably haven't been using enough water before, during, and after. I'll change that habit right away!
 
One of my camping family just uses way too much TP. Even making that person the only one to clear clogs (repeatedly) does not cure the situation. At least I don't have to do it, usually!

So, the items in the arsenal:

1. LOTS of water in the tank, to help deter the dreaded poop pyramid.
2. Motion - one of my RV's was terrible with forming pyramids, no matter what, IF we were stationary. If we drove for a day or two, it appeared that the sloshing would help level everything out, and we wouldn't clog.
3. Get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-Degree-Reverse-Attachment-Trailer/dp/B008O9DV78
Close the valve (and all gray tank valves) and use it to fill the black tank backwards from the drain. Start with smaller amounts, stop and drain, then work up - it can be bad to overfill the black tank! This always clears clogs between the tank and the outlet.
4. For that bad trailer mentioned, it was a straight shot from the toilet into the black tank, and there would be clogs in that pipe. A dryer vent brush (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-Drill-Powered-Dryer-Vent-Cleaning-Brush-Kit-PCPBHD/203636793) will fit down through the toilet. You can even chuck it into a drill, to spin and emulsify a lot of what is in the tank, kind of like a big blender. Yes, can get gross - but if there is no other option to clearing the clog....

Between the two methods, even the worst clog gets cleared.

I use a water meter on the hose going to the black for the normal flush or the above back flusher. When doing a deep clean on the black tank, it is not uncommon to need 120-140 gallons before the result runs almost clear, with no "bits" in it. Easy to think after a couple of fill/empty cycles that it is all clear...and then another bigger clot comes rushing out.....
 

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