Geopro 19FD slow drainage kitchen sink

[Willy69]

I have a 2023 geopro 19FD AND I am experiencing a slow kitchen drainage.

I checked for clogs in the sink’s pipes and removed any debris.Inspected and adjusted the P-trap. Emptied the gray water tank to ensure it wasn't full and contributing to slow drainage.
Replaced the air vent with a new one (I also took it off and it still drain slow).

Tried hot water and RV-safe drain cleaner to break up any internal blockages (I discovered no blockage).

I also run a 'snake' on the pipe, but the drainage is still slow.

Anyone has experienced a similar issue before I take it to the dealer?

Thanks for any help/advices.

[reidfo]

Is it just the kitchen sink that's slow? Has it always been this way for you, or did it just start recently? Since you've checked the drain, next step would be to check the gray tank roof vent for blockage.

[Willy69]

Just the sink in the kitchen.
The other drains are good and no issues.
It started after I moved it from the dealer to my spot.
I started to use it and one day, it started to drain slow.

I have not checked the roof vent, but I will check it.

[NJKris]

I didn't even know they made a Geo Pro in 2013! I have the same model 2019, it did not have a P-trap, it had a waterless hepvo trap (which if you ran a snake through would probably be ruined). I know this because I did a big renovation on the sink replacing the crappy small OEM sink with a large sink and a residential faucet/sprayer. Had to replace the factory Hepvo trap with a new one, because the factory ruined the threads installing it. New one is now horizontal to fit sink drain, old one was vertical.


Reidfo, at least on my GeoPro, there is no grey vent, only a black vent. Recently I let a sink full of water down in my big new sink, and some came up out of bathtub drain. So obviously they share the same pipe. Maybe a problem in this area?

[NJKris]

Be careful if you try to clear tub drain, they must use a hepvo trap there too, I can't see how they would fit a P-trap.

[reidfo]

Originally Posted by Willy69

Just the sink in the kitchen.
The other drains are good and no issues.
It started after I moved it from the dealer to my spot.
I started to use it and one day, it started to drain slow.

I have not checked the roof vent, but I will check it.

My guess would be blocked vent. It could take a bit of use before it becomes noticeable.

[bikendan]

GeoPros weren't made in 2013. The OP probably meant 2023.

[reidfo]

I didn't realize some didn't have a roof vent.

[Willy69]

Thanks for the reply. Is a 2023 model.
When I dismantled the p-trap and run the snake did not find a blockage. After I reassembled it and counted how many seconds it takes for the water to stop drainage I calculated, based on the size of the pipe, that the blockage could be located before the shower drain.
I will probably get a camera to see down the pipe.

What sink model have you installed?

[Willy69]

There is a p-trap. I remove it and clean it several times but is always clean.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Is this something new or has it always been slow draining?
Depending on how much water your draining, it might be normal.
The pipes are much smaller than in a house/apartment and it will drain slower.

[Willy69]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Is this something new or has it always been slow draining?
Depending on how much water your draining, it might be normal.
The pipes are much smaller than in a house/apartment and it will drain slower.

Just the sink in the kitchen.
The other drains are good and no issues.
It started after I moved it from the dealer to my spot.
I started to use it and one day, it started to drain slow.

I have not checked the roof vent, but I will check it.

[Willy69]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

Is this something new or has it always been slow draining?
Depending on how much water your draining, it might be normal.
The pipes are much smaller than in a house/apartment and it will drain slower.

Initially the water goes down the drain fine (even when I fully open the faucet) and after approx. 8 seconds it slows down and goes down very, very slow. I can not figure out what is happening.

[Reverse_snowbird]

It sounds like you may have a 'kink' in the line. The easiest way to see if you've got a kink and how far it might be in the line would be a lighted endoscope. Here's an example of one with a 16' cord, but they also make them with 50' cords.
https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Indu...94XGX6GQ&psc=1

[Willy69]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

It sounds like you may have a 'kink' in the line. The easiest way to see if you've got a kink and how far it might be in the line would be a lighted endoscope. Here's an example of one with a 16' cord, but they also make them with 50' cords.
https://www.amazon.com/DEPSTECH-Indu...94XGX6GQ&psc=1

Ok will get the lighted endoscope and check. Thanks for the help!

[NJKris]

I ordered this sink on Amazon. This size from this mfr no longer showing on link. My OEM sink was no bigger than an airline lavatory sink, could barely wash dishes in it. The install was a PITA. Cutting the counter larger was no big deal, but working through the silverware drawer slot was torture. Glad I did it though, so much nicer. I image newer units have an improved sink. Surprised they switched to P-traps, they used to use Hepvo waterless traps. The only P-trap I have is beneath bathroom sink.

[Willy69]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I ordered this sink on Amazon. This size from this mfr no longer showing on link. My OEM sink was no bigger than an airline lavatory sink, could barely wash dishes in it. The install was a PITA. Cutting the counter larger was no big deal, but working through the silverware drawer slot was torture. Glad I did it though, so much nicer. I image newer units have an improved sink. Surprised they switched to P-traps, they used to use Hepvo waterless traps. The only P-trap I have is beneath bathroom sink.

Looks nice. Thanks.

[jimmoore13]

Originally Posted by Willy69

Initially the water goes down the drain fine (even when I fully open the faucet) and after approx. 8 seconds it slows down and goes down very, very slow. I can not figure out what is happening.

This is somewhat definitive evidence that the restriction is well down the drain line. The drain line is not totally blocked. Over time, the water backed up in the drain line trickles past the obstruction and the drain pipe empties into the grey tank. But when you send a large volume of water down the drain, it encounters an obstruction and fills the pipe until it backs-up into the sink.

RV drain plumbing is usually a "thin-wall" schedule 40 type rigid drain pipe. There should not be a "kink" in the line. The pipe is rigid...and does not bend. But there could be construction debris in the drain pipe somewhere between the kitchen sink and the tub/shower drain. Your "endoscope" (plumber's camera) will likely reveal a big chunk of something blocking the drain line.

With this in mind, the solution now depends on whether you are still in warranty or not. If yes, get it to the dealer. If no (more likely), find the obstruction. You can pinpoint the location by marking the endoscope when you encounter the obstruction, pulling the endoscope out of the drain line, and then measuring how far in the scope was. Then use a tape measure along the drain plumbing to estimate the location.

My hunch is that the obstruction is hung up on some sort of "tee" or elbow in the line downstream of the obstruction...which accounts for the tub/shower and vanity sink draining properly...and not also blocked by this obstruction. It also accounts for why the obstruction hasn't made its way all the way into the grey tank. It's hung up on "something." My stab in the dark is that the tub/shower drain connection (or something similar) might be that something.

If you discover an obstruction, you will probably need to drop or cut a portion of the coroplast under the frame to give you access to the drain plumbing. Many do a 3 sided cut in the coroplast and leave the side toward the front of the trailer to serve as a "hinge". Once the job is done, some good quality tape suited for, say, plastic boat "wrap" covers for winter storage will do a great job of sealing up the wound. Gorilla tape would work, too.

A hand hacksaw or an "oscilating tool" can cut the drain line to give you access to remove the obstruction. Think before you cut, because with drain plumbing you need at least a 1" stub of pipe sticking out to add a coupler when putting things back together. You can use a bent coat hanger to snag the obstruction and drag it out of the pipe.

And now the kicker...VERY IMPORTANT. When trying to mend the pipe after the surgery, you'll quickly discover that rigid plastic plumbing is a bear to fix, because it doesn't give to allow you to insert a new section of pipe or couplers. Fernco to the rescue. These are top quality, permanent repair fittings that are flexible and allow you to insert a coupling into an otherwise impossible space. A Fernco fitting is actually an improvement in the plumbing, because it allows things to flex without breaking. I have a whole story about a Fernco "Y" on my previous camper, but I'll spare you.

NO MORE SNAKING. If you keep snaking, you'll keep pushing the obstruction down the line and block more stuff. And if you push it into the grey tank, it could easily block the dump pipe (also 1 1/2") and take far more extensive "surgery" to get it out.

So, I jumped to lots of conclusions based on your crucial detail...the fact that the obstruction is down the line, and that it's very likely in rigid schedule 40-style PVC plumbing. Of course I could be wrong, but I have a pretty strong hunch you're going to find a big chunk of wood or other debris snagged in the drain line...and it's highly likely that my method will be how you get it out.

Regardless, best of luck. If nothing else, all this guesswork might help you reframe your thinking about the why of this drain blockage. Have fun with your new endoscope.

[Willy69]

Originally Posted by jimmoore13

This is somewhat definitive evidence that the restriction is well down the drain line. The drain line is not totally blocked. Over time, the water backed up in the drain line trickles past the obstruction and the drain pipe empties into the grey tank. But when you send a large volume of water down the drain, it encounters an obstruction and fills the pipe until it backs-up into the sink.

RV drain plumbing is usually a "thin-wall" schedule 40 type rigid drain pipe. There should not be a "kink" in the line. The pipe is rigid...and does not bend. But there could be construction debris in the drain pipe somewhere between the kitchen sink and the tub/shower drain. Your "endoscope" (plumber's camera) will likely reveal a big chunk of something blocking the drain line.

With this in mind, the solution now depends on whether you are still in warranty or not. If yes, get it to the dealer. If no (more likely), find the obstruction. You can pinpoint the location by marking the endoscope when you encounter the obstruction, pulling the endoscope out of the drain line, and then measuring how far in the scope was. Then use a tape measure along the drain plumbing to estimate the location.

My hunch is that the obstruction is hung up on some sort of "tee" or elbow in the line downstream of the obstruction...which accounts for the tub/shower and vanity sink draining properly...and not also blocked by this obstruction. It also accounts for why the obstruction hasn't made its way all the way into the grey tank. It's hung up on "something." My stab in the dark is that the tub/shower drain connection (or something similar) might be that something.

If you discover an obstruction, you will probably need to drop or cut a portion of the coroplast under the frame to give you access to the drain plumbing. Many do a 3 sided cut in the coroplast and leave the side toward the front of the trailer to serve as a "hinge". Once the job is done, some good quality tape suited for, say, plastic boat "wrap" covers for winter storage will do a great job of sealing up the wound. Gorilla tape would work, too.

A hand hacksaw or an "oscilating tool" can cut the drain line to give you access to remove the obstruction. Think before you cut, because with drain plumbing you need at least a 1" stub of pipe sticking out to add a coupler when putting things back together. You can use a bent coat hanger to snag the obstruction and drag it out of the pipe.

And now the kicker...VERY IMPORTANT. When trying to mend the pipe after the surgery, you'll quickly discover that rigid plastic plumbing is a bear to fix, because it doesn't give to allow you to insert a new section of pipe or couplers. Fernco to the rescue. These are top quality, permanent repair fittings that are flexible and allow you to insert a coupling into an otherwise impossible space. A Fernco fitting is actually an improvement in the plumbing, because it allows things to flex without breaking. I have a whole story about a Fernco "Y" on my previous camper, but I'll spare you.

NO MORE SNAKING. If you keep snaking, you'll keep pushing the obstruction down the line and block more stuff. And if you push it into the grey tank, it could easily block the dump pipe (also 1 1/2") and take far more extensive "surgery" to get it out.

So, I jumped to lots of conclusions based on your crucial detail...the fact that the obstruction is down the line, and that it's very likely in rigid schedule 40-style PVC plumbing. Of course I could be wrong, but I have a pretty strong hunch you're going to find a big chunk of wood or other debris snagged in the drain line...and it's highly likely that my method will be how you get it out.

Regardless, best of luck. If nothing else, all this guesswork might help you reframe your thinking about the why of this drain blockage. Have fun with your new endoscope.

Thank you for the detailed advice and insights. I appreciate your help! I'll post the results once I’ve had a chance to follow through.

[MarcGoldstone]

Originally Posted by Willy69

I have a 2023 geopro 19FD AND I am experiencing a slow kitchen drainage.

I checked for clogs in the sink’s pipes and removed any debris.Inspected and adjusted the P-trap. Emptied the gray water tank to ensure it wasn't full and contributing to slow drainage.
Replaced the air vent with a new one (I also took it off and it still drain slow).

Tried hot water and RV-safe drain cleaner to break up any internal blockages (I discovered no blockage).

I also run a 'snake' on the pipe, but the drainage is still slow.

Anyone has experienced a similar issue before I take it to the dealer?

Thanks for any help/advices.

I had the same issue. I tried a sink snake to remove crud from just below the strainer to no avail. Tried pouring near boiling water down the drain, which didn't help either. What did work for me was to wrap the male end of a garden hose with a dish towel, pushed it against the drain and turned on the water to the hose. This cleared whatever the clog was and it took only 30 seconds!