Blackwater tank cleaning

[Gyrophoenix]

Just curious: Has anyone used a power washer (about 1,500PSI) with a long wand inserted down the toilet to give the blackwater tank a good cleaning?

Thanks!

 

[John From Detroit]

There are companies that do that but it would not be all that effective. Power washers spray like this-------=====
You need to spray like this
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I have used a home made Amazon.com

(I just used 1/2" PVC capped and drilled no "Nose" that will most likely break off)

 

[Ohiosnowbird]

Before we move we dump, rinse and then add a whole bottle of pine sol + some water to the tank. In moving it swishes it mostly clean (looking with a flashlight). When we arrive to a full hookup spot we rinse again (we have a blank tank flush system) and dump. If you get an opportunity, once the tank is clean and empty, add some Calgon bath beads and some water before you move, moving causes the bath beads to dissolve and be dispersed all over the tank. The bath beads makes the interior of the tank slippery and “things” don’t stick as much. Sort of like putting lemon oil on a glass shower pane.

 

[Kirk]

A much more effective way and one that is easier is to add either a healthy shot of liquid laundry detergent or a measure of TSP cleaning power mixed with water and about 1/3 to 1/2 tank of water, just before travel. If you do this and then dump as soon as you arrive at your next stop, you can shine a bright light into the tank and it will look like new. I have been doing that for years. I used TSP for a long time after it was recommended in a seminar by a Thetford rep. at an Escapade. I later tried some of my wife's All laundry detergent and found that it works just as well. That same seminar advised against the use of Pine Sol in waste tanks because he said it can damage the seals used by some manufacturers.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

One way to look at it is if you're using your tanks in such a way that periodic service is needed, then maybe a review of methods is in order. Use them in such a way there's no accumulation then there will never be a need for deep cleaning or surprise tank event. My only deliberate action is to fill the black tank full just prior to dumping to promote a good flow. Sometimes I'll dump in dawn and borax but I'm not convinced that's a prerequisite to trouble free operation. So I'd be characterizing the problem before throwing solutions at it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[NY_Dutch]

One way to look at it is if you're using your tanks in such a way that periodic service is needed, then maybe a review of methods is in order. Use them in such a way there's no accumulation then there will never be a need for deep cleaning or surprise tank event. My only deliberate action is to fill the black tank full just prior to dumping to promote a good flow. Sometimes I'll dump in dawn and borax but I'm not convinced that's a prerequisite to trouble free operation. So I'd be characterizing the problem before throwing solutions at it.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

How are you using your black tank "...in such a way there's no accumulation..."? It seems to me, using it for our normal bodily functions pretty much guarantees an eventual buildup, especially with the common "bolts through the side" tanks sensors.

 

[Jackiemac]

We have and also have a gadget that goes up through the waste valve. It's not foolproof though.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Use plenty of water when flushing and try to have at least a half tank full before dumping, to get a good "whoosh". Don't let a partial tank load stick around between trips, i.e. don't bring the stuff home with you and let it dry up inside. Easier to do if you stay out longer; not so easy fr weekenders.

We were mostly long-timers, staying on the road anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months a year. I used to give the tanks (black & gray) a good cleaning just once a year in the fall. Fill with fresh water and a good doe of something like Roebic K57 and let it sit 2-3 days before dumping and rinsing with the built-in sprayer. That seemed to keep everything working OK.

 

[bigb56]

I've heard you should not use a power washer because you'll get an airborne mist of nasty stuff possibly coming back at you and the room.

The most efficient way I've found is to install the Tornado. Next to that, filling with water and something like Dawn soap as mentioned which I have done while parked, left it soak for a month one time, why not? But seriously the Tornado has made it a breeze.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

How are you using your black tank "...in such a way there's no accumulation..."? It seems to me, using it for our normal bodily functions pretty much guarantees an eventual buildup, especially with the common "bolts through the side" tanks sensors.

As stated - if the tank isn't full when it's time to dump I run fresh in through the bathroom sink until it is. For extra credit when the black tank is drained I leave the black valve open when I open the gray so gray water runs into the black tank, then cycle the gray valve a few times to get some backwash action. That's it - no magic elixirs, extra rinse cycles or other procedures. I get that lack of evidence is not proof but I have had no tank issues since acquiring the rig in 2018.

Tank sensors are another question. My rig is a 2005 and it has external (dielectric?) sensors. The operation of my sensors, albeit imprecise (E, 1/3, 2/3, F) have worked flawlessly on all three tanks. Are float/conductive in-tank sensors still prevalent? I would think given the seeming success of the system I have (stock WBGO) the stud/float sensors would've gone the way of buggy whips by 2025. In the event of sensor contamination/compromise it seems extraordinary tank methods isn't the most direct solution to the problem.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DutchmenSport]

I have a pressure at home. It has a straight sprayer. I used the softest sprayer head and used it in my black tank. My toilet has no angles or elbows. It drops straight down to the tank. Of course the pressure washer wand faced only straight down. But, that was really all I wanted. If there was any poop pyramid building up at the bottom, I wanted it broke up. The pressure washer did just fine. I kept it low so it wouldn't damage the tank. I suppose it worked fine, because when I finished I could see the rivets on the bottom of the tank again through the hole in the toilet with a flashlight.

I found this device to be adequate for the rest of the tank and use it once a year, when winterizing to ensure the tank is cleaned out well. The rest of the time (every time I dump, for 25 years now), I backflush.

If you want information on how to "back flush" your black tank, I'll gladly share.

This, click here.

Or this, click here.

 

[NY_Dutch]

As stated - if the tank isn't full when it's time to dump I run fresh in through the bathroom sink until it is. For extra credit when the black tank is drained I leave the black valve open when I open the gray so gray water runs into the black tank, then cycle the gray valve a few times to get some backwash action. That's it - no magic elixirs, extra rinse cycles or other procedures. I get that lack of evidence is not proof but I have had no tank issues since acquiring the rig in 2018.

Tank sensors are another question. My rig is a 2005 and it has external (dielectric?) sensors. The operation of my sensors, albeit imprecise (E, 1/3, 2/3, F) have worked flawlessly on all three tanks. Are float/conductive in-tank sensors still prevalent? I would think given the seeming success of the system I have (stock WBGO) the stud/float sensors would've gone the way of buggy whips by 2025. In the event of sensor contamination/compromise it seems extraordinary tank methods isn't the most direct solution to the problem.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I don't do anything much different than you, except that I don't bother to fill the black tank if it's at least half full. After dumping the black tank, with our third "Master" valve closed, I back flush the black tank from the gray tank, closing the black valve so the soapy gray water can slosh around on the way home. Our SeeLevel II external sensors and display are quite accurate, reading in 3% increments almost regardless of how clean the tanks are. SeeLevel uses a Sonar based level detection system instead of a higher frequency ultrasonic system.

 

[SLOweather]

Everyone seems to have their own potion for keeping tanks clean.

I've been using dishwasher gel to great effect. Easy to find in the stores, reasonably inexpensive, one single container. After dumping, or before first use, I dump a cup or so down the toilet with 5 gallons of water, and a cup or so down one of the kitchen sink bowls.


Brand seems to be immaterial. I use whatever Costco is selling...

And, when driving to the dump station, I stab the brakes a few times to slosh the tanks.

 

[whiteva]

If its working for you don't change a thing.