Shower Floor Drain 2009 Interstate

[3bcamper]

Newbie question: is there a valve on the shower floor drain? My shower won't drain, and it seems not like a debris blockage, but a solid closure. I thought I had studied documentation well, but I don't see anything on this. All other drains work.

[Farmer Dan]

Is the gray water tank empty? This may make it see m like the "solid closure" you mention. Otherwise you might try a bathroom plunger. Be glad its not the black tank!!

Dan

[3bcamper]

Originally Posted by Farmer Dan

Is the gray water tank empty? This may make it see m like the "solid closure" you mention. Otherwise you might try a bathroom plunger. Be glad its not the black tank!!

Dan

Thanks Dan. The gray tank is empty. There is a solid blockage, metallic seeming. Just an inch down. Does this have a check or float valve that could be stuck? It seems if the gray were to be over-filled, it could back up into the shower floor.

[LB_3]

The 2009 parts book shows an elbow just below the drain connected to a HEPVO valve. The HEPVO valve is a one way valve that replaces the P-trap on conventional drains.

[Pahaska]

The first, and only, time I used my shower, I ended up ankle deep in water. The rig had been unused for some time and the rubber HEPVO valve had obviously stuck together from non-use. I finally used the rubber plug as a hydraulic ram to break it free. About the 3rd time I put hydraulic pressure on the valve, it opened up and the water went down with a rush. I had poured some valve lubricant in the drain, so it shouldn't stick again.

I'll get to use the shower again in a couple of days. I'll see whether a couple of weeks non-use makes it stick again. If so, I know how to free it up this time. I'll just add some more lubricant if it sticks again..

[3bcamper]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

The first, and only, time I used my shower, I ended up ankle deep in water. The rig had been unused for some time and the rubber HEPVO valve had obviously stuck together from non-use. I finally used the rubber plug as a hydraulic ram to break it free. About the 3rd time I put hydraulic pressure on the valve, it opened up and the water went down with a rush. I had poured some valve lubricant in the drain, so it shouldn't stick again.

I'll get to use the shower again in a couple of days. I'll see whether a couple of weeks non-use makes it stick again. If so, I know how to free it up this time. I'll just add some more lubricant if it sticks again..

So, if I understand correctly, there's a float or check valve that closes the shower drain when the gray tank fills? That would make sense, as the shower drain is the low point and this would prevent backup. Am I correct in this assumption/conclusion? (My shower has now decided to drain).

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by 3bcamper

So, if I understand correctly, there's a float or check valve that closes the shower drain when the gray tank fills? That would make sense, as the shower drain is the low point and this would prevent backup. Am I correct in this assumption/conclusion? (My shower has now decided to drain).

As I understand it, the valve is a pair of mating rubber surfaces that allow flow in one direction and block off flow in the opposite direction. Mine (and yours) apparently stuck together from not being used for a time. Here are a couple of images from the net.

There is very limited space between the van floor and the AI floor above it. The valve we have is apparently the long valve shown in the picture, installed horizontally.

[3bcamper]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

As I understand it, the valve is a pair of mating rubber surfaces that allow flow in one direction and block off flow in the opposite direction. Mine (and yours) apparently stuck together from not being used for a time. Here are a couple of images from the net.



There is very limited space between the van floor and the AI floor above it. The valve we have is apparently the long valve shown in the picture, installed horizontally.

Okay, excellent. It appears this valve would respond to hydraulic pressure, i.e. plunger or other force, when stuck.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by 3bcamper

Okay, excellent. It appears this valve would respond to hydraulic pressure, i.e. plunger or other force, when stuck.

That's what I did. I filled the drain with water and used the rubber plug as a piston. One good push and the drain popped open. I used it every evening for the last 4 days and no more sticking.

[MyRvGoes]

Upon inspection, I found a rubbery piece in the bottom leading to the elbow of the drain. A picture shows a bladder as a check valve. Somehow, the bladder had been pushed back into the shower. The plunger and water method put the valve back in the correct direction. It took several attempts however it now drains freely.
Thanks everyone for the post. AND, saving a trip the $RV$ center.

T. Murray
Airstream Interstate 2013

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by MyRvGoes

The plunger and water method put the valve back in the correct direction. It took several attempts however it now drains freely.

Good thread resurrection (at least for me). The OP was before my joining the forum so this is good to know info. Didn't even know it had a valve, mainly coz I have read folks talking about water backing up into their shower basin. So maybe those folks have a defective (stuck open) valve? I learn something new here everyday.

[Pahaska]

It should not back up unless the gray tank is full, the HEPVO valve is stuck, or the drain is full of hair. The last is common because the rate of flow is fairly small and the hair is not carried away.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

It should not back up unless the gray tank is full, the HEPVO valve is stuck, or the drain is full of hair. The last is common because the rate of flow is fairly small and the hair is not carried away.

We use this in all drains and no issues of hair clogging drain.




Then use this to remove the hair without touching that yucky stuff