Shower not draining...ideas?

[BellaBee]

Hello,
We are in our shakedown cruise and have an issue with the shower not draining?

It was intermittent once or twice the first couple is weeks but now is not draining. It will drain extremely slow if left alone.

I’m not sure about the trap system so I haven’t tried disassembling anything yet. It’s not clocked with hair or other stuff. I feel like maybe something could have been left from the production process.

Also, in looking at the system I also noticed the factory did not properly mount the sensors on the grey tank. In fact there are three sets of sensors on the black tank. Go figure. I’ll have to sort that one out later. Any pics of an XL 37RB black and grey tank with the sensors properly installed would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

[hook47]

Grey tank isn't full, is it?

[NJKris]

In fact there are three sets of sensors on the black tank. Go figure. I’ll have to sort that one out later

There should be. One for 1/3 full, 2/3 full, and one for full.

[NJKris]

What is your gray tank level? The shower will be the first place it backs up if it is full.

[bclemens]

I believe we are running the Hepvo valve on all showers now...could be debris. Have you tried a plunger? to see if you can work it through?

[Orangeman]

Originally Posted by bclemens

I believe we are running the Hepvo valve on all showers now..

For anyone who doesn't know what that is or does ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJWz6ozQ3o

.

[BellaBee]

Tried the old plunger process and it worked. I just wasn’t sure you could use a plunger on an RV plumbing system. I have noticed there seems to be “some stuff” being ground up in the macerator when I dump the grey tank. Happens near the end of the dump cycle. Much appreciated.

Now I need to get the sensors installed by moving them from the black tank.

Cheers,
Sal

[gbaldwin]

Originally Posted by bellabee

tried the old plunger process and it worked. I just wasn’t sure you could use a plunger on an rv plumbing system. I have noticed there seems to be “some stuff” being ground up in the macerator when i dump the grey tank. Happens near the end of the dump cycle. Much appreciated.

Now i need to get the sensors installed by moving them from the black tank.

Cheers,
sal

not sure why you are wanting to remove the sensors???

[5picker]

Originally Posted by BellaBee

Tried the old plunger process and it worked. I just wasn’t sure you could use a plunger on an RV plumbing system. I have noticed there seems to be “some stuff” being ground up in the macerator when I dump the grey tank. Happens near the end of the dump cycle. Much appreciated.

Now I need to get the sensors installed by moving them from the black tank.

Cheers,
Sal

I didn't see where you said if you have a 2nd grey tank (galley) for the kitchen but in any case if the kitchen "stuff" is going into your grey tank, you need to be diligent about scraping/wiping the food particles off any plates, pots and pans before washing/rinsing in the sink.

I've seen grey tanks that were worse than black tanks.

[BellaBee]

The sensor issue is I have no level sensors on the grey tank. I believe the factory made a mistake and installed all the sensors on the black tank. Trying to sort that out now. Should be an easy fix. I just need to figure out which sensor belongs to the black and which set belong to the black tank. Thx

[BellaBee]

This was very helpful to learn about how that valve works. I noticed it when I removed the access panel. I had no idea what it was for or how it worked. It's clear from my situation that something was keeping that valve closed since when I started the water in the shower it started to fill up right away. Since that valve is connected right after the right angle connector to the shower drain I suspect something was keeping the valve from opening. Once I plunged it a few times it water began to flow properly. My hypothesis is something used in the shower could be making that valve sticky. Seems strange but we'll see as we continue to use the shower. Since I now have a plunger, I should be able to fix that quickly if it happens again. Thanks again. Much appreciated.

[bclemens]

I think those things come in slightly powdered...but I wonder if someone poured antifreeze down that trap like normal. Maybe that antifreeze gets sticky when it dries?

[BellaBee]

"Antifreeze like normal"? I'm not sure what that means. Is this a process done at the factory during installation and testing?

Regardless, the plunger did the job to unclog whatever was causing the issue. I'm pretty confident it was something in that valve given how fast the water would back up.

Thanks,

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by BellaBee

"Antifreeze like normal"? I'm not sure what that means. Is this a process done at the factory during installation and testing?



Regardless, the plunger did the job to unclog whatever was causing the issue. I'm pretty confident it was something in that valve given how fast the water would back up.



Thanks,

YouTube “RV winterizing” to see examples of how to winterize if needed where you live. RV antifreeze is pumped into the freshwater lines and poured down the drains to displace the water sitting in the P traps that can freeze can crack the pipes.