We have our RV hooked up to city water. We have 2 gray water tanks, one for kitchen, one for bathroom & washer. We are not using the w/d or the shower, so the only gray water we are creating is from the bathroom sink. The gray tank is full (not just the sensor, actually full/overflowing) every day. What would cause this? Even our mobile repair guy is stumped. Any input is appreciated.
Gray water filling up at alarming rate
- Thread starter Gbarro
- Start date
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Molaker
Well-known member
Shut off the city water and switch to the pump. I'd bet you will find it kicking on frequently even when you're not using water. If so, then you must have a leak into the grey tank. Now where is the question. It shouldn't be possible, but...
Arch Hoagland
Well-known member
Year, make and model of the RV would help.
Perhaps someone with the same RV will know.
Perhaps someone with the same RV will know.
Tom Hoffman
Well-known member
Do you have an RO Drinking water system? If so they make huge amounts of waste water for each gallon of clean water used.
Why, since you are parked don't you leave the GRAY valve OPEN?
Why, since you are parked don't you leave the GRAY valve OPEN?
Back2PA
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Molaker said:
I?d have to agree. Unless your rig has some sort of gray water flush system (which I?ve never heard of) the only way to get water in the gray tank is through a drain in the sink, shower or washer. Otherwise there is no physical connection that I know of between the fresh water (city or tank) and gray water tank. Where is it overflowing?
Rene T
Site Team
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Rene T
Site Team
Gbarro said:
As far as I know, I've never heard of a gray tank overflowing. I've see them get so full that it backs up into the shower or tub. The only thing I could think of is the tank level sensors are giving you a false reading which is typical. Then (I hope I'm wrong) you have a leak in your tank. Maybe a sensor has popped out. How old is the RV?
Where are you seeing the water overflowing?
Back2PA
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Rene T said:
I think you may be on to something Rene. The tank really isn't full and it's the fresh water tank that's overflowing. Possibly the same issue I've got (and haven't gotten to) where the city water is filling the fresh water tank either through a failed/dirty check valve in the pump or a failed fill check valve (the two theories I've been offered). The overflow comes from the fresh water tank overflow.
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
LOL, Scott. You've led a sheltered RV life.
Most higher end coaches have flush systems for both gray & black tanks. But even that wouldn't explain a rapid fill of the gray unless a water supply was hooked to the flushing inlet.
Back2PA
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Gary RV_Wizard said:LOL, Scott. You've led a sheltered RV life.
I don't know if not being familiar with higher end coaches means "sheltered". Just driving my little Dutch Star around, only has a black tank flush. Guess I need to find a smaller pond so I can be a big fish again 
Joezeppy
Well-known member
When you empty the tank, do you get 30 - 40 gallons out each time? Or, building on lynnmor's thoughts, do you only get a few gallons out indicating you might have a clog somewhere?
grashley
Well-known member
I suspect Tom may have nailed it. RO systems often produce 10 gal of waste water for every gallon of fresh water produced.
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
Sun2Retire said:
I think that may be the key to the problem. If the overflow is coming from underneath the RV then it's likely a back fill issue with the fresh tank. If it's backing up into the tub/shower then it's a grey tank plumbing issue.
JudyJB
Well-known member
I have had water pump problems from Day 1, which was six years ago. Occasionally, if I am hooked up to city water, my fresh water tanks will fill and overflow. I then turn off the city water tap and use only my pump, whihc works fine. I believe I have a leak somewhere, and/or a hole in the pump membrane, but no one has ever been able to find it, so I live with it by nearly always relying on my pump.
So, my question is are you absolutely sure it is the grey water tank that is overflowing? Could it possibly be the fresh water tank? I have had water flowing onto the ground to the point where a camp host has come and turned my water off at the faucet when I was not home.
So, my question is are you absolutely sure it is the grey water tank that is overflowing? Could it possibly be the fresh water tank? I have had water flowing onto the ground to the point where a camp host has come and turned my water off at the faucet when I was not home.
rbrdriver
Well-known member
Ditto that. Mine also does that since it was new. I do the same thing, just turn the city water off and then use the pump for a while. I noticed the OP has replied back yet to this post so we may never know what the deal is........ ???JudyJB said:
NY_Dutch
Well-known member
If the pump check valve is at fault, there's an easy $5 fix for that. Installing a check valve like this one on the outlet side of the pump will get it done. A sharp utility knife is the only tool needed. Or for a few more dollars, rebuild the check valve in the pump instead. This kit has everything needed for the common Shurflo 2088 pump check valve.
Rene T
Site Team
keymastr said:
Hate it when that happens. I wish everyone would get back to us after we try to help them even if we don't succeed.
