FRUSTRATED!!! Black Tank isues

[Hawk53]

I am severely frustrated right now my 30 foot 1990 Silver Eagle rv has a black tank but got very cold and partially frozen when a heating pad on the bottom of the tank was accidentally disconnected. I have reconnected it and put heat tape on the drain line and still it will not drain. I even turned the water off held the valve open and ran a snake down through the toilet and I'm absolutely certain that I got the snake through the valve still barely a trickle and the tank has plenty of enzyme fluid in it. I am at my wits end. have not been able to use it for a week and a half now. Someone please help money is a definite issue. thanks in advance.

R.D. Hixson

[bbirddog2you]

You could try pouring some pink antifreeze in the toilet. Given time the heat pad should relieve the problem. Are you sure there is nothing clogging the pipe?

[Hawk53]

Pretty sure it is the tank cuz it partially froze and there is plenty of enzyme liquid in the tank. Also when I flushed last time the level came up in the pot!!! So there is no room for more liquid right now!! It is a real problem..... Also I had a 500 watt halogen light under it for four hours to heat it up..... Really confused as to why it will not drain... If I unhook the hose to snake the pipe I will have a major mess in the middle of the RV park if it lets go.....

[bbirddog2you]

Just wondering... If you are hooked up to sewer now can you drain a grey tank to make sure your flex hose is clear?

[Hawk53]

Yep did that. Ran a bunch of hot water through it.

[bbirddog2you]

Sorry for your troubles but I have ran out of ideas too. Can't understand it not flowing unless there is maybe an ice chunk stuck in there.

[Hawk53]

well I appreciate you at least giving it a try.thanks be bird dog 2 you!!

[bbirddog2you]

Just read another thread titled Black Tank clog. Had a lot of suggestions. Same forum. good luck.

[Hawk53]

Ok thanks 😊

[rjshiflet]

If it's an ice block I'm not sure this will help, but I have seen success using a "blaster plunger" - it generates enough "air-force" to move a lot of objects.

[bend302]

Are you sure the tank valve is open?

Another option is to get a Flush King with a gate valve and try to force the clog out from the bottom with a garden hose. From what you have described I would be surprised to find it still frozen.

Bill

[rsdata]

I vote for the Flush King
Amazon.com: Valterra F02-4350 Reverse RV Flush Valve: Automotive

or the Camco unit
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-39062-Fl...rds=flush+king

to help out. By back filling a little, then draining and back filing over again you should be able to wash the gunk out.

Here is a video on how to use it.
https://youtu.be/oi8HUknP46Y

Maybe the warmer weather forecast this coming week for the eastern half of the US will help if you are in that area.

[rockfordroo]

How about turning off the water to the toilet, then flushing it with very hot water poured down the toilet? Sounds like you need to thaw out a block of poo.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Hawk53

Pretty sure it is the tank cuz it partially froze and there is plenty of enzyme liquid in the tank. Also when I flushed last time the level came up in the pot!!! So there is no room for more liquid right now!! It is a real problem..... Also I had a 500 watt halogen light under it for four hours to heat it up..... Really confused as to why it will not drain... If I unhook the hose to snake the pipe I will have a major mess in the middle of the RV park if it lets go.....

Hawk53,STOP rite Now ,Go buy a Plastic Kiddee Pool and place under your Dump valve,now you can (Snake/Work) on your Valves without (Being Run Out of the C/G)! Youroo!!

[TURBS]

Did he not say the tank is full of water?


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[Harkerr]

Lots of boiling water

[5picker]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Did he not say the tank is full of water?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He did.
He also said he shut off the water and ran a snake down through the tolit and was 'certain' he went through the valve. If he did in fact get a snake out through the valve that would mean the block is somewhere after that.

I don't know the specifics on how much pipe may be between the valve and where he hooks the sewer hose on so it's tough to keep guessing as to where the problem lies without knowing more details.

[hankpac]

Obtain a elbow with a flush hose hookup, and attach it to the drain, then reattach the hose. Run a high pressure steam in from the bottom to thaw the valve. Although you may have the valve rod pulled the actual gate may still be slid across the opening. If you were pulling on the rod while the gate was stuck to the frozen contents it could have pulled free. See if the valve Rod seems loose or if it is actually moving the gate.

[retired06]

I wonder if that calcium products used to melt ice dams on roofs would help or hinder.

[DickiedooFlagman]

A blast plunger will likely not work as the black tank is open vented to the roof of the camper.