Kitchen sink and toilet trouble.

Zhanna · 07-26-2011, 07:35 AM

First the toilet. Our little niece used the potty once and now it mysteriously doesn't work properly. The water either comes out EXTREMELY slow or not at all. So we've just been putting in cups of water from the bathroom sink.

Second issue is the kitchen sink. Pressure is very low. Like I can turn the faucet on all the way and barely a trickle comes out.

Pressure in shower and bathroom sink are fine.

Wondering what we can do about it? Could it be the water filter on the trailer? If so, where is the water filter so we can change it? The little book they gave us with the trailer is useless! :/

Plus, we're out on the road, not at home where these issues would be easier to deal with.

MtnGuy · 07-26-2011, 07:48 AM

As far as the kitchen sink, remove the faucet aerator and clean out all of the junk that collects there.

Don't have the foggiest on the toilet flow.

frankm · 07-26-2011, 07:49 AM

Many folks have corrected very similar issues (specially with low flow in faucets) by taking the fixture apart and removing any construction debris that may be blocking the water flow. This may be the case with the toilet as well.

momtovn · 07-26-2011, 07:53 AM

yup, that was the trick with ours.. took out the little piece and there was a bunch of caulking in there.. toilet, not sure... maybe there was low pressure at the campground?

Zhanna · 07-27-2011, 05:32 AM

OK. Thanks guys! The kitchen sink thing worked!

The toilet is not not flowing at all. No big deal, water from the sink in a cup is working fine. We'll have it looked at when we get back home.

Also, we found the water filter, now just to find a replacement.

Thanks again!!!

momtovn · 07-27-2011, 06:31 AM

we never bothered putting our water filter in- looked too much trouble.. we're going to get one of those filters that attaches to the outside hose and a drinking water hose made for camping.. all th little things we learn as we camp, each time we go, we think of something else we need!! LOL

**KyDan** · 07-27-2011, 06:34 AM

You can buy a standard "whole house" water filter cartridge at
WalMart or Lowes or Home Depot or any big dept store.
Just get one that says "sediment and taste" and it should have
(activated) charcoal in the description somewhere.
Usually can find these in a 2 pack for around $10-12.

Dave T · 07-27-2011, 06:46 AM

As far as the toilet not getting water. The pedal operating the value has to be jammed, is my guess. Just take the cover off the foot flush & take a look. A screwdiver is all you need for a tool. Depends on the model of toilet you have but the pedal could be blocked by the hose behind it?

08flagvlite · 07-27-2011, 11:28 AM

It should not be that the filter is clogged, unless you have low pressure at all places on the camper. Chances are, that same construction debris got into the toilet flush valve, and jammed it up. Randy

arribasf · 07-27-2011, 12:47 PM

Hi just stripped the toilet foot operated water release valve (Lexington) and there is a small mesh filter that could be the culprit, take care when refitting, mine was a brass nut onto a plastic component, easy to cross thread when reassembling then its leaks until a new component is found

skidoonut · 07-30-2011, 11:06 AM

had an issue this weekend with my toilet. the valve would keep filling the bowl slowly. i flushed it a few times and this stopped but then i just had very low flow into the bowl when flushing. i ran to a local rv store and picked up a new valve and installed it. it fixed my problem. then i looked at the old valve and the small hole that feeds the tube to the bowl was clogged with calcium. cleaned it out and now i have a spare. changing the valve only took 5 min. and i did not remove the toilet from the floor as per the instructions. but this may not be the case depending on where your toilet is mounted. i had just enough room to get my hand in behind.

**Herk7769** · 07-30-2011, 03:20 PM

Taking my "John" apart tomorrow for the same exact reason; "suddenly" low flow.

(Crappy job for a Sunday).

I have a Thetford Aqua Magic V and the flush valve has a sealed port on it to receive a hand flush wand.

I ordered the flush wand kit when I ordered the new valve.
Stay Tuned. Film at Eleven...

bsmall · 07-30-2011, 03:52 PM

Herk, I put one of those water saver hand helds on my Thetford and it works great. I sure wouldn't call it a "water saver" like they call it, but it's nice to have. I think it would be a considered a water saver if it were plumbed in prior to the flush valve, with water pressure at will. But with it installed in the valve it's not useable unless you activate the flush pedal. That's why I wouldn't call it a water saver....

**Herk7769** · 07-30-2011, 03:58 PM

Thanks for the tip! I had not realised that.

I am putting a shutoff valve in the PEX hose and adding a T nipple for the hose should not be all that much additional trouble.

I need to think about how I will do this.
I might want a regular T fitting and another shutoff valve to the wand.

Film at Eleven.

bsmall · 07-30-2011, 04:29 PM

Herk, when you do this mod,take plenty of pics. I might be re-doing mine so it has pressure regardless if you’re flushing the toilet...

**Herk7769** · 07-30-2011, 06:52 PM

Ran this idea by DW and she had valuable input.

Most likely you would only be using the washer to spray down the sides of the bowl with the tank valve open anyway.

While there might be a time when you would want to wash the sides without the valve being open; it would certainly be infrequent and you could accomplish the same thing using the "half way" position to add water to the bowl while spraying.

So in the long run the plumbing hassle might not be worth the extra time and parts expense. The shutoff valve is still a "go" however.

skidoonut · 07-30-2011, 09:58 PM

herk that is the same model i have. when you disconnect the thin flimsy hose take a look in the hole mine was blocked. one screw, the fresh water pipe, hose to the flush port and one linkage rod and it was off. easy job and found instructions on thetford web site.

**Herk7769** · 07-30-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidoonut

herk that is the same model i have. when you disconnect the thin flimsy hose take a look in the hole mine was blocked. one screw, the fresh water pipe, hose to the flush port and one linkage rod and it was off. easy job and found instructions on thetford web site.

Thanks Pal. I hope it is that easy. I will have a "boatload" of spare parts if that is all that it is. All the parts for a complete rebuild came in today.

New Nozzle; Flush Valve; and hand wand. Since each kit comes with flange washers so I can remove the hopper and re-seat it three times.

**Herk7769** · 07-31-2011, 03:58 PM

OK, I rebuilt my Thetford Aqua Magic V and added the wand.
The DW LOVES it. I have to say I like it too.
I have tons of photos and a few surprises.
I am going to start a new thread in Mods.

skidoonut · 08-01-2011, 07:57 AM

nice write up herk. i never looked at the size of the new hole but i have noticed that it never flushed this good before. what size did you drill it out to. i think i will replace the hose to the flush nozzle as i thought the same as you it is very flimsy. i am going to repair my old valve and keep it for a spare. this looks like it will be a comman trouble for many people. glad you put a sticky on this. wish it was there when mine started to act up.
rob

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