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Old 04-28-2017, 09:40 AM   #1
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Odors coming out of the Vents in front of my 5th Wheel Stairs when the Bathroom Fan is

We just installed a new Fantastic Fan vent in our 5th wheel's bathroom and when it is turned on (at it's lowest setting), it draws in fumes from the two vents installed in front of the 5th wheel camper's steps.

I realize now that I have to open a window to allow the fan to do its job and not cause a vacuum in the camper. However, is there a problem if I seal up these two vents? I looked inside there and there are several large openings near the pipes that are allowing the odors to penetrate the unit.

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Mike Perrotto
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Old 04-28-2017, 09:44 AM   #2
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Spray foam will seal 'em up....
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Old 04-28-2017, 09:59 AM   #3
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What do the vents "vent?" I wouldn't seal up anything that's supposed to be venting. Vents are installed for a reason.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:15 AM   #4
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The vents on the roof are normally there for the plumbing vents. Do not seal these vents they are necessary for the proper operation of the plumbing. You could try adding solar vent fans to the vents in question, that should push the air up and away and also mix the air sufficiently to not cause an smell in the camper.
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Old 04-28-2017, 10:32 AM   #5
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The holes around the pipes......
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikep-sc View Post
We just installed a new Fantastic Fan vent in our 5th wheel's bathroom and when it is turned on (at it's lowest setting), it draws in fumes from the two vents installed in front of the 5th wheel camper's steps.

I realize now that I have to open a window to allow the fan to do its job and not cause a vacuum in the camper. However, is there a problem if I seal up these two vents? I looked inside there and there are several large openings near the pipes that are allowing the odors to penetrate the unit.

Thanks,
Mike Perrotto
We had a structural problem with the roof of our Flagstaff which the factory repaired by removing the original roof and installing a new one. After the repair, we had some smells and grey water leakage in the basement area. The vent pipes are pushed into the top of the black and grey tanks with a rubber seal fitting. One of the vent pipes was not seated properly into the rubber seal. Fixing the vent into seal stopped the leaking water and smell.
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:20 PM   #7
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R u sure it's not pulling the odours from the sink drain or toilet? We had a smell being drawn up from our grey holding tank. Make sure you clean your grey tank really well and sanitize
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:22 PM   #8
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A power fan can pull bad odors from the black tank if flush valve is opened or leaks.
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:32 PM   #9
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You also may be drawing in fumes from the air admittance valve located in the cabinet under the sink.
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Old 04-28-2017, 12:56 PM   #10
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Vent smells

360 Siphon vents help a lot. They came standard on our 2015 REV RB. The black tank vent goes up inside of the closet in the back of the RV. The fan pulled smells from the top of the vent pipe and into the closet. I removed the 360 Siphon from the roof and used low expanding foam around the vent pipe between the roof and closet ceiling.
I replaced the 360 Siphon, and the problem was solved.

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Old 04-28-2017, 01:17 PM   #11
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"Vents" serve two purposes in our campers:
1. To allow displaced air to escape, allowing liquid to fill the holding tanks.
2. To allow air to enter the plumbing when anything with a p-trap is draining. This prevents the p-traps from being siphoned dry.

The vent(s) you see on the roof is the end-of-the-line for the vent system. That single vent can (and usually does) serve multiple vent lines connected to the plumbing system... serving the purposes above.

An air-admittance valve is a one-way vent. Is purpose is to allow air into (but not out of) the plumbing system to prevent the p-trap from being siphoned dry. They are used when a proper vent line cannot be ran due to location. They are commonly found in island sinks.
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Old 04-28-2017, 01:35 PM   #12
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Am I the only one to read the op's post about the openings around the vent pipes ?.....
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Old 04-28-2017, 01:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob caldwell View Post
Am I the only one to read the op's post about the openings around the vent pipes ?.....


I understand what you are getting at, but...

No, however without details it is hard to diagnose. Explaining how the venting should work might assist the OP with his situation.

I'm not entirely clear about the "openings " around the vent pipes. The vent itself is an opening... so I'm not sure what/where these other openings are.

Pics would help.
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Old 04-28-2017, 01:54 PM   #14
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Shoddy holes cut in for pipes to pass thru.....
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Old 04-28-2017, 02:27 PM   #15
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To All - thanks for your replies. I checked out every pipe entry hole and found huge gaps where the odors might be coming from. I purchased Gap Foam Sealer and went to town sealing everyone of them. The exception is under the fifth wheel steps where its impossible to get to the pipe gaps since they're too far "in" for my arms to reach. Might have to cut a piece out of the bottom cover to access those pipes. I checked the two air admittance valves with the fan on high and could not detect any odors coming from them. I also filled up the washing machine drain (we don't have a washing machine installed) and odors could come from a dry P trap. So with the exception of under the stairs gaps, I think I have the unit pretty tight now. I'll keep you posted. Again thanks everyone for your comments.
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