Blackwater problem

[mlhenehan]

On a recent vacation my wife and I stayed put for 6 nights. We usually travel, but enjoyed the location so much we just stayed. The problem is that our blackwater tank filled up. We noticed a smell and when I ran the system check it showed full. I opened the flush valve on the toilet and could actually see the blackwater was up in the neck of the toilet! Yikes. We had it pumped out right away. Luckily the campground had one of those mobile units.

Anyway, the smell has stayed in the trailer. I flushed the tank using the flush system for about 10 minutes. Then put in a couple gallons of fresh water and some rv tank deodorizer (Pure Power I think), but the smell has remained.

So, questions: can the black water have leaked out somewhere? It did not overflow the top of the toilet, but can it leak out somewhere else if it gets overfilled?

Also, what is the best tank treatment that you would recommend? Is there one that Airstream recommends above others?

Any help appreciated.

Matt

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

The built in flush system rinses on the tank, not the neck going up to the bowl. This is probably the source of your odor. Under these circumstances, I would bring a hose with sprayer inside and thoroughly wash down the area between the flush valve and the tank.

I also think that your flush period was too short after a six day run. I would flush/rinse at least twice that long. We use the big blue RV toilet pills that they sell at Wal-Mart. I would also not let the black tank get above 7/8 full.

Brian

[TBRich]

I agree with Brian that you probably let the tank get fuller than it should have and the odor is most likely a result of that... If—after giving that area a good cleaning, rinsing and treating—the odor persists, you might have someone look at the situation to make sure something more serious is not happening. Good luck...that kind of issue is no fun!

[mlhenehan]

Thanks for the input. I went out to the trailer this morning and the smell is almost gone. I will take a brush and clean the neck as suggested. Thanks again.

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by mlhenehan

On a recent vacation my wife and I stayed put for 6 nights. We usually travel, but enjoyed the location so much we just stayed. The problem is that our blackwater tank filled up. We noticed a smell and when I ran the system check it showed full. I opened the flush valve on the toilet and could actually see the blackwater was up in the neck of the toilet! Yikes. We had it pumped out right away. Luckily the campground had one of those mobile units.

Anyway, the smell has stayed in the trailer. I flushed the tank using the flush system for about 10 minutes. Then put in a couple gallons of fresh water and some rv tank deodorizer (Pure Power I think), but the smell has remained.

So, questions: can the black water have leaked out somewhere? It did not overflow the top of the toilet, but can it leak out somewhere else if it gets overfilled?

Also, what is the best tank treatment that you would recommend? Is there one that Airstream recommends above others?

Any help appreciated.

Matt

Matt there is a seal between you toilet and the tank flange. If you have a two piece toilet you may have a seal there. One of them may have leaked and left some residue behind on the trailer floor.

[mlhenehan]

Thanks, I will check to see if there's anything there. If it leaked into the sub-flooring, there's probably not much I can do but wait for it to dry up and lose its odor.

I spoke with Airstream and they didn't think it could leak there, but anything is possible, I guess.

Thanks again,