Smell coming up from toilet..

[strut526]

My sister is a seasonal weekender, lately she has noticed that after she dumps the tanks, and does the water and toilet tabs for the following week. When she comes back, first and second flush usually has the black tank odor. Nasty. She puts in 3 gallons of water for set up. Is there something she is doing wrong? Is there a reason for the smell? I have been camping in my 5th wheel for years, and never had an odor issue.

[mfMcFroggierPod]

Flush tank until clear to make sure tank is empty. Add deodorant and a few gallons of water after dump. Make sure a small amount of water stays above the flush blade in bowl to act as a water seal.

If by chance you empty tank completely the solids get rock hard and will cause clogging problem plus odor. Then fill tank 1/2-3/4 and drive around for a while so the water moves around to loosen the solids, let this water in tank for 24-48 hrs than flush again. Check roof vent for blockage. Bee +/or birds nests.
Good Luck.


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[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by mfMcFroggierPod

Flush tank until clear to make sure tank is empty. Add deodorant and a few gallons of water after dump. Make sure a small amount of water stays above the flush blade in bowl to act as a water seal.

If by chance you empty tank completely the solids get rock hard and will cause clogging problem plus odor. Then fill tank 1/2-3/4 and drive around for a while so the water moves around to loosen the solids, let this water in tank for 24-48 hrs than flush again. Check roof vent for blockage. Bee +/or birds nests.
Good Luck.


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They're seasonal weekender's, (TT stays in campground all season?), so I suspect they aren't going to be driving around awhile.

They need dump the black tank and then add a few gallons of water and deodorant before they leave for the week. Might also add some stuff to break down whatever's left in the tank.

[fonzie]

Since it seems that she is at a seasonal site and trailer never moves, I would put deodorant/tank cleaner in and fill tank and let sit 24 hours and then dump....that should help clean side walls.....

[Bama Rambler]

The trick as eluded to above is to dump and rinse, and then to add the deodorant and about three gallons of water. let the water and deodorant sit until next dump.

She also may need to change deodorant brands or types.

[strut526]

Awesome replies! She has a tank wand,, I will make sure she is using it. I will see if we can get up on her roof to check vent also. Her husband has MS, so it will be her and I. I appreciate all the replies, so helpful! I will keep you posted.

[shortkid]

Are you sure the smell isn't from the grey tank? Check the sink and shower traps to see if they have water in them. Also check under the sink for the air admittance valve, if it isn't working properly it will give you a smell. It is gross but just stick your head under the sink and see if there is an odor under there. The grey tank can get real stinky if it isn't flushed well. Good Luck.

[strut526]

Shortkid, that is the only odor I have ever had..no, this is definitely coming from the toilet.

[Flybob]

Don't run the vent fan while flushing, It can pull tank odors into the unit.

[northstar1960]

if shes dumping every weekend then the tank isn't getting full and i'll bet solids are sticking inside . she needs to fill let sit all week while she is gone and then dump and flush IMO

[ilmor]

All sorts of good info on YouTube about proper care and maintenance of black tanks.

[Scubanut]

Originally Posted by strut526

My sister is a seasonal weekender, lately she has noticed that after she dumps the tanks, and does the water and toilet tabs for the following week. When she comes back, first and second flush usually has the black tank odor. Nasty. She puts in 3 gallons of water for set up. Is there something she is doing wrong? Is there a reason for the smell? I have been camping in my 5th wheel for years, and never had an odor issue.

Maybe give these a try! Works on black and gray vent stacks.




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[oldsmasma]

X 2 on trying a different deodorizer. I have had a couple over the years bought when my usual brand wasn't available that didn't perform as well.

[Croaker]

When you open your black water valve to dump your black water into the sewer, you also open the way for sewer gas to fill your tank from the sewer.

If you wait a while, the smelly gas will eventually exit through the black water tank vent on the roof.

[Donna from Iowa]

To be safe add about 1 c. Bleach. That will clear any bacteria or fungi that is in there. You can also add some Tide & softer when you get ready to dump. It works.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

They're seasonal weekender's, (TT stays in campground all season?), so I suspect they aren't going to be driving around awhile.

They need dump the black tank and then add a few gallons of water and deodorant before they leave for the week. Might also add some stuff to break down whatever's left in the tank.

Try RidEx, it is made for Septic tanks and does a good job breaking p the solids once they get wet again. You can get it at Wal Mart

[Maron]

My guess is the bowl is dry. If so there is a slight leak between the ball and the toilet. There are ways mentioned above to clean the tank and clean the ball but this is before doing either.

After flushing the toilet pour 1/2 cup of water into bowl and let it sit. Odor will be gone...until that bowl is emptied again.

[Life Without Whine]

better than wand cleaning .... have a 5 gal bucket that we fill with water & DUMP down toilet after black tank is emptied .... really breaks everything loose. Have done it down all the sinks as well to really rinse the lines to the grey tank. Amazing all the stuff that comes thru

[strut526]

I think they are not letting the chemicals do their job. They dump after every long weekend. We are all leaving today, so we will try what was suggested. Thank you all!

[laurarice26]

We use the GEO method rather than deodorizers. There is an article on it here on FR forums. I find that our camper doesn't smell but our sensors don't work well. I know that it's probably because something is covering it. We are weekend campers (about once a month in the spring and summer). I just did the extra flush of clean water in the black tank and got it to showing that the tank is 1/2 full. I don't mind that the sensors don't work but need help estimating how full the tanks are. How many days with regular use will a 28 gallon tank last?


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