oh s@*^(# black water holding tank clogged

[happypill]

EMERGENCY !!! the black holding tank valve was left open, and now the tank is plugged with waste. nothing drains out. i attempted to reverse flow water , but only get small particles. what's next ??? the toilet bowl is also now full.

[RickDavis]

Do you have any kind of a snake or piece of steel cable that you can shove up there and break the jam, Possibly even pushing the running hose up the line if it is all you have available.?
No matter what you do it will be messy.
One more possibility is to put a hose type drain cap on and reverse pressurize it.
You didn't mention whether you are home or on the road.

[Wayne&Sam]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

put a hose type drain cap on and reverse pressurize it.

Danger, Will Robinson. That seems like it could go horribly wrong. Maybe good for a scene in the Robin Williams RV movie?

[kidsgone]

Happy Pill,
If you are in St Augustine and not on the road, call Sanders RV in Alachua (not too far from you) this morning...they will help....nice service dept.
Andi

[richinny]

with the cap with the hose fitting you usually just need a short burst of water to dislodge the blockage. scoop the bowl if you need to make room.

[RickDavis]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

Danger, Will Robinson. That seems like it could go horribly wrong. Maybe good for a scene in the Robin Williams RV movie?

Not supposed to leave it on, but if you did might make a good video

[Lumatic]

Photos, we love photos. Don't forget to wear your foul weather gear!

[TG Twinkie]

Close the valve and take it for a drive. You may be able to shake it lose. Hopefully there is enough liquid to blend it to where it will flow. You might try holding the toilet valve open and pushing the waste down with a stick to see if there is space for more water.
If you can make more room, don't fill the tank completely, it needs to have room to slosh around and mix.
Good Luck

[toastie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lJlEzPzhKc

[jdalrymple]

Yeah, be very careful with the reverse pressure idea. It will probably work but I would make it my last resort. See above video. The geyser of poo may come out of the toilet or the vent pipe on the roof.

I would obtain a cheap sewer snake and try that first.

[TBRich]

If it were me I'd be inclined to call a sewage removal place and have them pump it out...tell them the situation so they will be prepared for what needs to be done. Don't be embarrassed to tell them like it is...I'm sure they have seen everything.

I agree with jdaylrymple...since the toilet is more than full, there is no where for the back wash to go but up the vent pipe or to overflow the toilet bowl... so be careful if that's the approach you take.

Whatever you end up doing, be very careful and dress for the task to protect yourself.

[Bill M.]

at least last year there was a company in florida called hydro flush that would come and clean out the black tank. did a good job on mine before I serviced the valve.

you must be hooked to a sewer if the valve was left open?

[Lumatic]

I just had a brain fart and thought I was reading a response to this thread and it was not. But apropos:

Remember what they say:

If you love it, release it. If it loves you, it will come back