Blog Post

4 Best Practices for Maintaining Your RV Toilet and Its Plumbing

  • By Admin
  • 27 Sep, 2017
The toilet in your RV isn't the most glamorous piece of equipment in your trailer or motor home, but it is one of the most important. Abuse can quickly cause problems for RV owners, and the consequences are likely to be unpleasant.

4 Best Practices for Maintaining Your RV Toilet and Its Plumbing

The toilet in your RV isn't the most glamorous piece of equipment in your trailer or motor home, but it is one of the most important. Abuse can quickly cause problems for RV owners, and the consequences are likely to be unpleasant.

With that in mind, it is important to keep RV toilets well-maintained. Below are four best practices for keeping your RV toilet, black water tank and associated plumbing in excellent working order.

1. Watch What You Flush

The first rule of ownership when it comes to RV toilets is to watch what you flush. It is critical that you flush only the wastes it was designed to handle: liquid and solid biological wastes along with toilet tissue.

An RV toilet is not designed to handle other waste products, such as paper, plastic, cigarette butts, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, cotton swabs or general household trash. These items can form clogs inside the plumbing and tanks, and backups are likely to result.

In addition, other types of waste can alter the natural biological cycle inside your black water tank. This storage container facilitates the breakdown of wastes using helpful bacteria. Anything other than liquid and solid wastes can interfere with this process. The end result could be foul odors and an in-tank waste buildup.

Finally, use only toilet tissue designated as safe for septic systems or RVs. These types of paper will rapidly dissolve inside a tank and make drainage much easier. If you decide to use any other type of toilet tissue, dispose of it separately in a waste receptacle.

2. Maintain Your Black Water Tank Contents

Another important practice when it comes to RV toilet maintenance is taking care of the black water tank contents. Besides not flushing the wrong materials, it is helpful to treat the black water tank on a regular basis.

There are a number of commercial products available for black water tanks, many of which are designed to aid the process of breaking down wastes. Other products are more oriented toward odor control or for cleaning the tank level sensors, so avoid assuming that a single product "does it all.

In addition, never pour chemicals designed for home plumbing into an RV toilet. Drain cleaners that contain lye or other caustic substances could damage the plastic tank or its plumbing, resulting in leaks or expensive damage to the RV.

3. Know When to Empty the Black Water Tank

An additional consideration that will help keep your toilet and disposal system working smoothly is to empty the black water tank only when necessary. Many RV owners keep their gray water tanks open to drain when hooked up to an on-site sewer connection.

However, leaving black water tank valves open is a bad idea, as solid wastes will be left behind as liquid wastes drain. Ultimately, you will be left with a tank full of solids that will need to be flushed out with a garden hose or with other means.

Instead, it is important to allow the black water tank to fill up before emptying. If you are ready to empty the tank, and it isn't full, be sure to add water to the tank via the flush valve of your toilet. This will wash out the tank and keep solids from settling to the bottom.

4. Treat Your Toilet with Respect

Another key to keeping your RV toilet and system well-maintained is to treat the toilet with respect. RV toilets are not usually as rugged as the porcelain toilets found in a home, and they probably won't endure rough treatment for long.

For example, use gentle foot pressure when flushing the toilet and avoid pressing the pedal all the way to the floor. This will prevent stressing the mechanism and wearing out the springs. In addition, keep a little water in the toilet bowl at all times; the ball-valve gasket should be kept moist to prevent it from cracking and leaking.

If you have questions about your RV toilet, be sure to contact RV Service Center of Santa Cruz for help. Their friendly team of professionals can help you keep your system maintained and perform service as needed. 

By admin November 29, 2017
Few vacations are as exciting for a child as hitting the road in your own RV. With your own RV, you're able to take your home and family with you - and give your children experiences that they'll never forget. However, not every RV comes completely childproofed. If you have young kids or even babies, you may want to take some additional measures to childproof everything inside the RV before you start your trip.
By Admin October 31, 2017
Whether you are still driving your RV, trailer or camper around during these autumn months or are getting your RV ready for outdoor winter storage, weatherproofing is an important detail to consider. Proper weatherproofing helps prevent water from entering and damaging your RV.
By Admin August 11, 2017
Driving an RV isn't always smooth sailing -- anyone who has been on a bumpy back road can tell you that. Detours and whims are a normal part of traveling, and for RV owners, those new roads often hold surprises.
By renamills@comcast.net July 27, 2017
07.27.2017 How to Fire-Proof Your RV| Rv Service Center Of Santa Cruz Whether you've just purchased your first motor home or you're a seasoned RVer, you should ensure your investment is fire-proof. You probably know how to take a lot of common-sense precautions when fire-proofing your RV, but here are five tips that are easy to follow and will bring you peace of mind before hitting the highway.Change and Properly Dispose of BatteriesA lot of people aren't aware of the dangers in something so seemingly innocent, but batteries can pose a fire hazard if they don't get the right attention. Start by changing any battery-powered appliances in your RV once a year. This includes smoke/propane/carbon monoxide detectors, flashlights, portable radios, etc.Batteries can also spark a fire if the terminals touch or they come in contact with metal. So when you remove the batteries, place electrical tape over the terminals and remove them from your RV right away, and put them in a secure place to be recycled. Also be sure to keep any unused batteries in their original container until ready for use. Since recycling batteries in California is mandatory, you should take care of this before hitting the road. This will prevent you from having to find a recycling center while you're RVing.Maintain the Tires and Wheel BearingsAs you know, tires get hot from friction on the road. But what you might not know is that tires canoverheat to the point that they catch on fire. You can avoid this hazard by ensuring your tires have proper inflation, but there's one other component that can become a fire hazard: the wheel bearings. If they fail, they can overheat and cause the tire to catch on fire.Make sure to have your tires and wheel bearing inspected before taking a trip. Also, consider investing in an infrared temperature gun. By using it regularly, you can get an idea of what the norm is so you'll know exactly when your tires are too hot.Routinely Inspect Your RefrigeratorRefrigerator fires are one of the most common types of fire hazards in an RV, especially if you have a refrigerator that runs on gas. But these fires also easy to prevent when you know what the hazards are. Before heading out for your travels, remove the access panel on the outside of the RV and run a quick visual inspection. Look for rodents that might be nesting, loose wires, dirt and debris, and any evidence that overheating has occurred.Next, you'll need to decide whether you're comfortable traveling with the propane on to keep contents in the fridge cool. If your RV is set up to battery-power your fridge, this is definitely a safer option. But many long-time RVers are adamant that traveling with the propane on is perfectly fine. Keep in mind the gas must be shut off at service stations and while traveling through restricted tunnels and over bridges.The good news is that your food will stay reasonably cool for up to five hours. So if you're only traveling short periods every day, there's no need for the propane at all until you stop for the night.Maintain Your Electrical SystemElectrical outlets are limited in RVs, which can certainly pose some challenges. But by taking the following precautions, your risk of fire is greatly reduced:Avoid overloading outlets with too many appliances, particularly ones that draw a lot of energy.Avoid extension cords. If absolutely necessary, stick with one that's heavy duty, and don't run them under rugs.Routinely check for loose electrical connections AFTER disconnecting any battery connections and your RV from shore power. If anything seems amiss or loose, hire an electrician who works on RVs to fix the problems.Invest in an RV surge protector that will immediately shut off the power if dangerous surges occur.Perform random "touch" tests to ensure the outlets aren't overheating.If you're one to max out your outlets, you might also consider having an electrical box installed-one that's heavy duty to support your appliance usage. This is a great way to improve your RV's electrical system.Invest in Fire ExtinguishersFire extinguishers are a must for every RV, and you have several types to choose from. However, the best is probably a dry chemical extinguisher since they're rated for most any type of fire. The main caveat is that some of the agents can become corrosive over time. So it's important to clean up the mess as soon as possible once the fire is extinguished.If you have any questions about fire-proofing your RV, contact one of our team members at RV Service Center of Santa Cruz. Facebook Twitter Google+ pinterest
By Admin May 24, 2017
After a season of beautiful weather and pristine sunny days, the weather is getting cooler and it's time to think about putting away your RV for the winter. A lot goes into making your vehicle winter-ready, so as soon as the temperatures start to drop to freezing temperatures at night, you need to have your winterizing strategy ready to go. Here are some tips that will help you keep your RV safe all off-season long so you are ready for new adventures come spring.
By Admin April 27, 2017
A recreational vehicle (RV) is only as good as its electrical system, so it’s important to understand the basics of how your RV directs electrical current to the appropriate places. Two devices—the converter and inverter—play a big part in managing electrical power in your RV. Below is more information about power converters and inverters.
By Admin March 24, 2017
Summertime trips in your RV can provide some of the best days of your life, but the hottest part of the year can make staying comfortable in your RV a challenge, if you aren't prepared. Below are several tips you can use to give your RV's air conditioner a helping hand and keep yourself comfortable.
By Admin February 1, 2017
If your recreational vehicle's (RV) air conditioner is leaking, then it is probably time to replace the rooftop gasket that seals the unit. As this gasket ages, it becomes brittle, hard, and unable to seal the opening, thus permitting moisture to enter the RV. Below is how you can replace an old gasket with a new one and eliminate a frustrating air conditioner leak.
By Admin January 1, 2017
Nostalgia for old campers is growing by leaps and bounds as more people realize the relaxing benefits of getting away from the city in their own retro "home on wheels." They remember trips with their parents and neighbors to see the Grand Canyon or the Smoky Mountains and want to recreate the experience with their own kids. Other families choose to restore old campers as family projects they later use for economical road trips.
By Admin December 1, 2016
A refrigerator is an essential recreational vehicle (RV) appliance if you plan to prepare your own meals during travel. However, you can get the most use out of an RV refrigerator when you understand the unique aspects of the appliance. Below is more information about RV refrigerators and what you can do to make them truly work for you out on the road.
Show More
Share by: