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Old 06-23-2014, 03:38 PM   #1
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Tank fills while in storage

We have a 2013 Vibe and seem to have developed a problem that seems odd. We camped a couple weeks ago and drained all the tanks, knowing it would be a couple months before we'd be able to go out again. When we checked on everything this weekend, the toilet was about an inch from overflowing! There is no noticible leak or water draining in, but obviously it's coming from somewhere. We aren't hooked up to any water source and don't have any water in our fresh water tank. The only possibliy we can think of is that it's draining from the water heater - is that even possible?? Any ideas and/or solutions?

Thanks!
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Old 06-23-2014, 03:48 PM   #2
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Sounds like 2 things are happening. 1. Water pump left on. 2. Toilet valve is leaking.
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Old 06-23-2014, 04:32 PM   #3
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If it's in storage and not hook up to any water supply, then I would check the roof vent stack for the black tank and see if cover is on or off. If missing, could have filled during rain storm.
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Old 06-23-2014, 04:39 PM   #4
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If it's in storage and not hook up to any water supply, then I would check the roof vent stack for the black tank and see if cover is on or off. If missing, could have filled during rain storm.
Would have taken quite a storm to fill the tank clear up into the toilet bowl through a 1-1/2" pipe.
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Old 06-23-2014, 04:41 PM   #5
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Would have taken quite a storm to fill the tank clear up into the toilet bowl through a 1-1/2" pipe.
OK multiple rain storms........
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Old 06-23-2014, 04:43 PM   #6
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OK multiple rain storms........
Like what Noah dealt with? Just ribbing ya fonzie!
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Old 06-23-2014, 04:48 PM   #7
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So now you have a choice of post #2 or post #3 or someone played a joke on you and filled your black tank using your black tank flusher......
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Old 06-23-2014, 05:09 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Wybdgrl View Post
We have a 2013 Vibe and seem to have developed a problem that seems odd. We camped a couple weeks ago and drained all the tanks, knowing it would be a couple months before we'd be able to go out again. When we checked on everything this weekend, the toilet was about an inch from overflowing! There is no noticible leak or water draining in, but obviously it's coming from somewhere. We aren't hooked up to any water source and don't have any water in our fresh water tank. The only possibliy we can think of is that it's draining from the water heater - is that even possible?? Any ideas and/or solutions?

Thanks!
Just to clarify, is it your black tank filling or just the toilet bowl?
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Old 06-23-2014, 05:12 PM   #9
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Could be residual system pressure leaking by the valve filling up the bowl, if your pump isn't left on that is.
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Old 06-23-2014, 05:14 PM   #10
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Just to clarify, is it your black tank filling or just the toilet bowl?
You're probably right and it is only the toilet bowl, I read too much into it....


Refer back to post #2
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Old 06-24-2014, 09:04 AM   #11
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Thanks for the replies.
1 - It's the bowl that's filling not the tank
2 - We have had some rain so we will check the black tank vent, though wouldn't that go into the holding tank first? So you're saying it filled up the black tank and then up into the bowl?
3 - We will also check the water pump, though since we didn't have any water in the fresh water tank it's not been used.
4 - The most likely option would be there is a leak into the bowl, though where is it coming from?? Was all that water just in the water lines?
5 - Could it possibly have come from the water heater? As I mentioned we didn't drain the water heater. Though if that's the source of the water wouldn't that mean we have two leaks - one from the water heater and another one into the bowl?

Again - thanks for any & all help!!
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Old 06-24-2014, 09:13 AM   #12
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I would say it's simply coming from the toilet valve. If your lines were left "under pressure" and your valve is leaking, it could possibly push enough water in to fill your bowl. You can replace your valve or release the pressure from your lines before you store it. (and check it while camping).
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Old 06-24-2014, 09:53 AM   #13
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AquaMan, I'm not sure what you mean by "left under pressure." How do we release the pressure before we store it?
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Old 06-24-2014, 10:05 AM   #14
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AquaMan, I'm not sure what you mean by "left under pressure." How do we release the pressure before we store it?
Turn taps on to release pressure.
Open water heater pressure relief valve.
Flush toilet.

All these will "relieve" pressure.

When either hooked to city water or using water pump when not in use or unhooked they have check valves and can keep the system pressurized.
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Old 06-24-2014, 10:10 AM   #15
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Ahha... that makes sense!! Thanks - we'll check that.
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Old 06-24-2014, 10:29 AM   #16
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Ahha... that makes sense!! Thanks - we'll check that.
I would also check your toilet flush valve for debris.
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Old 06-24-2014, 11:57 AM   #17
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Well, I've checked with my husband and he said that he always releases the pressure when we disconnect. His process is to disconnect the hose, open the faucets to release the pressure & clear the lines and finally he flushes the toilet. My question is still - where the heck is the water coming from, then??

Here's a real newbie question - Turbo - where is the valve located that we should check for debris?
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Old 06-24-2014, 12:08 PM   #18
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Well, I've checked with my husband and he said that he always releases the pressure when we disconnect. His process is to disconnect the hose, open the faucets to release the pressure & clear the lines and finally he flushes the toilet. My question is still - where the heck is the water coming from, then??

Here's a real newbie question - Turbo - where is the valve located that we should check for debris?
On the handle you flush your toilet with.
Depending on the model.....
my flush valve is located right on the end of the handle where the hose attaches to it for incoming water.
When you find the model of your toilet go to to the inter web and download the manual.
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Old 06-24-2014, 12:11 PM   #19
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I would wager, hubby forgot to release the pressure and turn off the water pump. It's the ONLY way for the toilet valve to leak. No other explanation or possible way to get water in the bowl.

BTW, the pressure is not enough to push enough water into the bowl to fill it within 1" of overflow. The pump had to have been left on.
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Old 06-24-2014, 01:03 PM   #20
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It's my understanding that you only use the water pump when you are using your fresh water tank not when you are hooked up to the water at the site. So, we wouldn't need to either use the pump or turn it on/off since we weren't pulling water from our fresh water tank - right? Or am I totally confused??

Turbo - thanks, we'll look it up online. We don't have a handle to flush - just the foot pedal.
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