Clorox in the gray water drains?

[TayaraTravel]

We had a temporary block in our shower floor drain, after a month or so of non-use. I freed the block by using my hand as a "plunger". I'm guessing this was due to an algal buildup in the line. Of course we use the usual Aqua-Kem for the gray water tank, but the part of the line between the shower (and sink etc) and the tank is flushed with fresh water after each use, so there is no standing chemical.

So I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to put a bit of Clorox in the sink and shower when returning the van to storage. We do this at home to keep our drains running free.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Quality....(not Wallyworld off brand) RV antifreeze in all drains 'cept the toilet, it gets 1/4cup veggie oil to keep the seal workable. A little bleach during the Season wouldn't hurt.....

Bleach the FW system at Spring get ready or as needed during the Season.

Bob

[Pahaska]

The shower drain in the AI is a waterless trap, with two rubber flaps, shaped something like a duck's bill that block backward flow. The line to the gray tank runs horizontal under the shower floor. With non-use, the flaps tend to stick together. Mine was stuck when I bought the rig after setting on a dealer's lot for a few months. I opened mine by using the plug as a plunger and it has stayed free since with fairly frequent use.

I poured a little RV drain valve lubricant in my shower drain to coat the flaps. I don't know whether that made a difference, but it surely can not hurt.

I would not use clorox with this sort of trap.

[Lily&Me]

I wouldn’t let Clorox it in anything, as it is corrosive.

Several times a season I will flush a bit of diluted Clorox down my kitchen sink and into the toilet and shower drain.

A good time to do this is when you are getting ready to dump....when I always clean, anyway.

I also dump after cleaning the water with pinesol in it down the kitchen sink...keeps everything smelling nice.

Maggie

[AWCHIEF]

I recently snaked my shower drain becaus it was very slow draining. An amazing amount of hair and other unidentifiable mass came out. I poured about a cup of Pinesoil in the drain and let it sit overnight. Snaked it once again and cleared out more gunk. Next added a mixture of dish soap, Calgon and bleach. The drain now drains quickly out. I try to keep water in the p-traps to block any odor coming from the gray tank.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by AWCHIEF

I recently snaked my shower drain becaus it was very slow draining. An amazing amount of hair and other unidentifiable mass came out. I poured about a cup of Pinesoil in the drain and let it sit overnight. Snaked it once again and cleared out more gunk. Next added a mixture of dish soap, Calgon and bleach. The drain now drains quickly out. I try to keep water in the p-traps to block any odor coming from the gray tank.

Using a snake on Hepvo check valves in a late-model Interstate is a really bad idea. The snake can damage the valve when you pull the snake back out. As Pahaska has noted, late-model Interstates have no P-traps at all.

A screen for the shower drain will solve many drainage problems by catching most things that could cause a clog.

And Robert Cross's idea of putting a bit of vegetable oil down the drain to keep the Hepvo valve flaps lubricated is also good.

[3wd67rg]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Using a snake on Hepvo check valves in a late-model Interstate is a really bad idea. The snake can damage the valve when you pull the snake back out. As Pahaska has noted, late-model Interstates have no P-traps at all.

A screen for the shower drain will solve many drainage problems by catching most things that could cause a clog.

And Robert Cross's idea of putting a bit of vegetable oil down the drain to keep the Hepvo valve flaps lubricated is also good.

I will add this to the list of reasons why I never allow my hair to go down any drains. Losing your hair sucks. *sigh*

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Like it or not, pretty much everything you use to unclog a drain chemically is nasty stuff. None of it should be left sitting any longer than it takes to remove the clog. There are things specifically made to do the job. Generally the stuff that works the best is the most nasty. Simple answer if you do use them: rinse the system out with fresh water as soon as you are done with the clog. Don't be bashful with the flush process. If you want to follow the flush out up, run a bottle of vinegar down the system. Flush that out immediately as well.

Bob

[TayaraTravel]

Once again, thanks for all the response. It answers my question.