Clogged septic system June 20, 2021, 08:10:48 pm Does anyone happen to have a diagram of the septic system for a 26’ mid bath? Our septic is clogged and we have tried nearly everything, including an auger with no luck. A diagram could be very helpful, or even a brief written description of the layout but we can’t find one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #1 – June 20, 2021, 09:51:10 pm The black tank is a rather simple arrangement. The toilet sits above the black tank with a slightly angled PVC pipe into the tank. The dump valve is attached to a PCV pipe that is connected to the bottom side of the tank. That’s it. The tank itself is just an empty box so to speak. It sounds likes the solid waste has solidified. I’ve heard that there’s at least one commercial solution which involves using a high pressure power hose. But I’ve not any experience with that solution. I expect other members of the Forum will offer you some additional guidance in short order.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #2 – June 20, 2021, 10:04:38 pm It sounds like the waste has solidified!I've been down this road before. Push come to shove Happy Camper Extreme may be your best bet. It's a strong bio enzyme treatment that gobbles up all the bad stuff in your tank. It may take a few treatments before it gets everything gone. Pour the recommended amount into the tank, fill half to two thirds with water, wait a day or so, then take it for a ride to slosh it around. The first dump may surprise you... stand back!It's available from many sources, not just Amazon.I also routinely use EcoSave, also an enzyme product. I treat after every dump.Amazon.com: Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment - 18 treatments:...happy campers extreme | eBay As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #3 – June 20, 2021, 11:06:40 pm I use a probiotic treatment that works well, called TankTechsRx.Amazon: TankTechsRX As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #4 – June 21, 2021, 12:20:10 am "Our septic is clogged and we have tried nearly everything, including an auger with no luck."This won't help with the clog, but provides great peace of mind when there is no emergency, and a solution when there is! The box isn't terribly large and can just wait at the back of a cabinet or outside bin until it is needed - hopefully never!Amazon.com : Cleanwaste Toilet in a Bag-15/Pack (D415W15) : Camping Sanitatio... Virtual hugs, Judie As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #5 – June 21, 2021, 04:51:49 am Hi DJBlackwell; Well I don't want to risk your porcelain bowl, but warm water might help chemical breakdown of the clog. In 2017 I bought a used 2001 MidBath and was having trouble getting the black tank to drain well. Removal of the drain blade valve revealed a wad of hair, that the previous owner(s) had disposed of in the toilet. Obviously the wrong place to dispose of shed hair from a brush. This wasn't the shower (gray water) drain. Even in a residential home I wouldn't do that to the plumbing. I'm sure they have a plumber making regular visits to them now. The MB is well known to clog easier. Remember to use a lot of water in the bowl to flush solids the distance needed to get stuff all the way into the tank. My TK toilet drops straight down into the tank, so I haven't had to deal with that. I'm not sure what type of augur you have. A 'closet' augur wont work on an RV toilet, and could actually damage the plastic flush valve. You'd be better off with a wire coat hanger, or a short 'snake'. RonB
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #6 – June 21, 2021, 08:32:49 am Is it clogged between the toilet and the black tank, or between the black tank and the drain valve? Where the clog is would influence how I would address the problem. In out 2002 MB we would get TP clogs in the plumbing from the toilet to the tank until we started using plenty of water when flushing, but those were relatively easy to dislodge. If like our 2002, as stated before, there is a short pipe with a couple of 45 degree bends from the toilet flange to the black tank, and a short pipe from the black tank to the drain gate valve with a 90? degree bend.Art
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #7 – June 21, 2021, 09:19:37 am Quote from: DJBlackwell - June 20, 2021, 08:10:48 pmDoes anyone happen to have a diagram of the septic system for a 26’ mid bath? Our septic is clogged and we have tried nearly everything, including an auger with no luck. A diagram could be very helpful, or even a brief written description of the layout but we can’t find one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.What year is your mid bath?Chris
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #8 – June 21, 2021, 02:18:12 pm For reference, here's a rough diagram of the midbath toilet's plumbing, as seen from inside the rig looking toward the outside wall... and photos of the pipe as it exits the toilet and as it goes into the floor to join the black tank. (The yellow stuff around the elbow going into the floor is spray-on foam, which in the case of my rig was poorly applied and didn't make a good seal.) These photos are from a 2003 midbath, but the setup probably hasn't changed much. 1 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #9 – June 21, 2021, 05:40:46 pm Sounds like a rock hard pyramid carefully built up through years of being parked with the black valve open with minimal, or no, tank flushing - just a guess..Frank
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #10 – June 21, 2021, 05:44:07 pm Since the OP has not provided more information on what the actual issue is, we are just guessing on the solution.So DB, what is the problem with your holding tanks?Larry
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #11 – June 21, 2021, 07:18:38 pm When all else fails, call a professional RV waste tank cleaning service. A reasonable fee will have your black tank clean and running in short order while you sit back and relax in the shade.In Southern California, I found this company... RV Holding Tank Deep Cleaning Service. Eliminate Odors. Fix Sensors.I’ve never used them. Not knowing where you are, I suggest checking the net for a service near you. As an aside, it is recommended that RVers do not allow the black tank to stay open (dump hose attached and hooked to sewer) for any longer than it takes to flush the tank. Solid material in the tank must have enough water in the tank to help dissolve solids. ALSO: Before dumping in the future, wait until the tank is mostly full before opening the dump valve. Then close the valve and run enough water into the tank (by flushing the tank with fresh water) to cover the bottom of the black tank by a few inches. This prepares the tank for the next usage period. Simple steps to take if the tank is otherwise not constrained by blockages. Once your system is up and running it’s pretty easy to maintain and flush the tank. Many of us use a biodegradable commercial solution to help dissolve solid waste. Good luck, Kent 3 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #12 – June 22, 2021, 08:30:29 am I fill the toilet bowl with water before flushing solids to the black tank.Secondly, when the waste line gets plugged, I have a 3 foot sewer rod stored onboard in the left rear storage bay.(i.e. a Carefree 901035MP Pull Cane, made of 1/4" soft metal). Turn off the water pump, bend the pull cane in a gentle curve, step on the flush pedal, and push the cane through. Needless to say, it has been retired from Awning service.Be warned, it can damage the flush valve seal, so follow the first sentence to avoid use of the sewer rod.
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #13 – June 24, 2021, 01:42:10 pm Interesting that DJBLACKWELL never bothered to respond to our suggestions and questions.We still have no idea what his actual problem is or if any of the suggestions helped.So what's up with your rig JD?Larry
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #14 – June 24, 2021, 04:24:32 pm "Interesting that DJBLACKWELL never bothered to respond to our suggestions and questions.We still have no idea what his actual problem is or if any of the suggestions helped."So what's up with your rig JD?I totally agree with you Larry! I think some of these are newbies that are embarrassed by their problem and don't want to deal with possible lectures. I have noticed that a few of them get sent over to this forum from the Facebook group when there is a challenging problem. Follow up is almost non existent over there. I have a hunch this "blocked septic" problem was someone who just bought a unit that had not been used for a long time. On the Facebook group there are often hastily made purchases that are bought sight unseen. I don't know whether it was on this group or the Facebook group where someone in Great Britain was buying a unit in the NW USA and was going to drive it or hire someone to drive it to a port city on the Gulf coast to then be shipped the the UK. A recipe for disaster in my opinion and I have a feeling this problem may be that unit. Sigh....Maybe they will come forward and share the rest of the story.Steve K. 2 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #15 – June 24, 2021, 08:33:24 pm "I think some of these are newbies"And some folks don't check web forums every day... it's only been four days since Blackwell's original post. But I hope they will come back and update us. 1 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #16 – June 25, 2021, 10:41:45 am If my crapper was clogged so badly that I had to post the question in public looking for a schematic, I’d be checking web forums every 4 minutes 😂 2 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #17 – June 25, 2021, 10:52:05 am Quote from: CactusCrew - June 25, 2021, 10:41:45 amIf my crapper was clogged so badly that I had to post the question in public looking for a schematic, I’d be checking web forums every 4 minutes 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 1 Likes
Re: Clogged septic system Reply #18 – June 25, 2021, 10:00:42 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - June 24, 2021, 08:33:24 pm"I think some of these are newbies"And some folks don't check web forums every day... it's only been four days since Blackwell's original post. But I hope they will come back and update us.Well I agree with Andy, it has only been a few days, and he could be on the road. While the first replies were wonderful information and extremely helpful, given in the true spirit of the forum which is to form new likeminded friends and help others overcome their problems with their rigs , given the last few replies, I doubt he will post the outcome. 3 Likes
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