Dump at home, but above ground?

[reidfo]

I am asking for advice from anyone who may also be in a similar position. I have no sewer cleanout out in the ground at home, where I park my travel trailer. I would like to be able to dump my tanks here after a trip.

The only cleanout I have (confirmed by a plumber today) is a 3" cap on a vertical drain pipe about 18" off the ground, right next to my pool. I don't think it's feasible to add another cleanout since it would be on the wrong side of the house and involve ripping up my driveway.

Here's the question. I anticipated this and bought a macerator pump for the dump connections, and a hose that will only ever be used for that purpose. How have others dealt with similar issues? I have the typical sewer cap on the line (though only 3") but would prefer something to let me easily connect and dump with the macerator without removing the sewer cap each time.

 

[Aussieguy]

Macerator should do the trick
I often think of buying one but so far have gotten away with storing trailer with just a little water in it

My clean out is close by so could use it if I really wanted to deal with another black hose

But so far I just take trailer for a trip and empty it at the campground ….. then during storage I rinse the bowl with clean water once a week

Usually store at home with a empty tank that has about 3 gallons added back in
After emptying… you can use your fav chemical additive too

Let tank sit, along with any added maintenance water …… it will be just fine until till next trip

 

[t_bare]

I use one of these at home. I'm not pumping very far but I am going uphill.

Valterra 10-Foot Sewer Solution Kit, Universal Sewer Hose for RV Camper​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCYWJQK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_18

t_bare

 

[reidfo]

I use one of these at home. I'm not pumping very far but I am going uphill.

Valterra 10-Foot Sewer Solution Kit, Universal Sewer Hose for RV Camper​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCYWJQK?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_18

t_bare

I've thought of fashioning something similar. But some plumber thought it was a good idea to put my cleanout vertical 18" off the ground. I'm afraid a friction fit would be too easy to pop out and cause a poopsie.

 

[JimM2109S]

Anything you do to use that cleanout will require removing some sort of plug. I'm guessing this is a vent line and not a true drain line?

To minimize damage to the existing cleanout, and presuming it is a male plug in a threaded female cleanout..... You can use a 3" male adapter w/ some reducer bushings to get down to 3/4" threaded female, then a 3/4 male x female hose adapter which you would then attach your macerator hose to. Remove the 3/4 adapter and replace with a 3/4" male plug when finished with the dump.

 

[reidfo]

Anything you do to use that cleanout will require removing some sort of plug. I'm guessing this is a vent line and not a true drain line?

To minimize damage to the existing cleanout, and presuming it is a male plug in a threaded female cleanout..... You can use a 3" male adapter w/ some reducer bushings to get down to 3/4" threaded female, then a 3/4 male x female hose adapter which you would then attach your macerator hose to. Remove the 3/4 adapter and replace with a 3/4" male plug when finished with the dump.

Correct. There is a 3" male threaded cap on the pipe. My home plumbing and electrical systems are to say the least, interesting. This drain pipe runs outside from the second floor, and it is the one and only main sewer line and cleanout I have.

Our houses here are built up on pilings (stilts) since we're on the water in a flood zone. This pipe unfortunately disappears into my concrete patio next to my pool and then runs underneath to the sewer. When the plumber was out he snaked a camera down through that cleanout and we confirmed that even the toilet on the far side of the house flushed down that pipe. It's also on the opposite of the driveway and right next to the pool from where I park the RV.

 

[Aussieguy]

are you using it while at home for guests?


if no ... empty it on the way home at a convenient location
rinse and store it with some water in it


Do a google search for "dump points near me"
Even found some Freeway rest areas when I can dump for free

I got a cleanout right near the trailer ... not worth mucking around with it
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have you got a tote?
bit more work but you can empty a tank at home with one

I'd do it in smaller trips cause I'm generally too lazy to deal with weight
10 or so gallons .. drag it up to the cleanout
use bricks or wood to raise tote higher if needed

 

[reidfo]

are you using it while at home for guests?


if no ... empty it on the way home at a convenient location
rinse and store it with some water in it


Do a google search for "dump points near me"
Even found some Freeway rest areas when I can dump for free

I got a cleanout right near the trailer ... not worth mucking around with it
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

have you got a tote?
bit more work but you can empty a tank at home with one

I'd do it in smaller trips cause I'm generally too lazy to deal with weight
10 or so gallons .. drag it up to the cleanout
use bricks or wood to raise tote higher if needed

I won't often need to dump at home, and I don't use it for guests. I might be using it for a week or so in my driveway in the next few days while I get leak repairs done in the house. That involves ripping out the ceiling and wall(s) in my bedroom.

The nearest dump station to my home is about 20 minutes away. If staying at a campground with hookups or a dump I'll dump before I drive home, but I've had some long drives home from places I couldn't dump and just didn't want the detour. It would be nice if I could just dump at home the next day.

The last time I left the black tank with "just a little in it" and some tank treatment I nearly passed out from the smell when I hit the foot flush the first time. It took hours to air the camper out.

 

[Aussieguy]

good luck with the home repairs... wish we had the trailer when our bedroom had to be gutted

it's been about a month since I been able to check my trailer properly...
so I praying it won't be too obnoxious too... planning at looking at it a day or so
I got the EPA's phone number....... just in case

the worst mine ever smelled was after 2 guests stayed over a long weekend ... they said they never went #2 except in the house
but I got a suspicion they may have fudged that .
since then I been adding some chemical

wonder......... if the fact I also always leave the air conditioner running at 85 degrees
has any effect on the smells from the tank and any contents?
But you're in Texas.... everything is suppose to be BIGGER.

-----------------------------------------
So it looks like you got two choices left ..... use a tote
or get a pump and hose/plumbing
seen some macerators that connect to the bayonet on the tank outlet valve
you probably won't be dragging extra long dump hose to campgrounds anyways.. rinse and store at home till required?

 

[Larry-NC]

I've thought of fashioning something similar. But some plumber thought it was a good idea to put my cleanout vertical 18" off the ground. I'm afraid a friction fit would be too easy to pop out and cause a poopsie.

You see that locally. Houses with 3" or 4" PVC sticking up 6" out of the lawn and impeding lawn mowing.

You can cut that pipe off close to flush with the ground and cement on a new threaded fitting with PVC cement. Use any kind of saw that's handy: hacksaw, carpenter wood saw, reciprocating saw with any blade. PVC is easy to work with.

This fitting would do it, to start.

Drill a hole through the cap (alongside the square protrusion or through the center) that accepts the threaded end of this fitting. This fitting comes in two sizes. Both accept garden hose, but the other end comes as either 1/2" or 3/4" NPT (tapered pipe thread).

Get one more fitting, this NPT coupling. Get 1/2" or 3/4", to match the fitting described in the preceding paragraph. Because these are tapered pipe threads, they won't tighten enough to clamp when you stack the garden hose fitting through the cap and screw on the coupling on the other side. You will need to stack a few rubber washers beneath the cap before you screw the coupling on.

And one last fitting: You'll need just one of these to close off the connection when you're not using it but everyone seems to sell in bunches.

 

[reidfo]

I figured a picture would be helpful. This pipe is the one and only drain from the upper level of my house and runs under the concrete to the sewer. Obviously cutting it down isn't an option.

 

[Aussieguy]

You can cut it and add a “Y” sou you can connect hose to it?

It’s never going to be perfect
You will have to rinse the hose to flush the hose clean

How about adding some sort of garden hose attachment to the macerator pump end for easy cleanup after use

 

[Aussieguy]

Ps you better be absolutely sure it’s sewer

County may get upset if plumber told you wrong

How close to the pool is this
Absolute sure it’s not for pool overflow into storm drain?

 

[reidfo]

Ps you better be absolutely sure it’s sewer

County may get upset if plumber told you wrong

How close to the pool is this
Absolute sure it’s not for pool overflow into storm drain?

Yeah, that would be a disaster. I'm certain it's sewer. I watched the flush water whoosh by on camera. Fortunately it was a "clean" test while he had his camera in there.

 

[Aussieguy]

Food color is great

But don’t use red without telling the Mrs

 

[jimmoore13]

My sewer cleanouts (2) are slightly higher than the output of my RV's blackwater dump. Like others, I use a macerator pump and a 3/4" commercial grade "garden" hose to dump. I've been doing this for years.

Why 3/4" as opposed to regular 5/8"?
The area of a 3/4" hose is 0.442 square inches.
The area of a 5/8" hose is 0.308 square inches.
The 5/8" hose can only carry 70% of the capacity of the 3/4" hose. That's a big difference in capacity for that extra 1/8" diameter.
And when it comes to moving effluent, which contains lots of solids, that is a huge difference. The larger hose not only moves more effluent, it also substantially reduces resistance and enables your pump to run cooler and for less time.

If you boondock, you have an additional option to extend your stay. The photo shows a 30 gallon potable water tank on the left...complete with transfer pump to refill my fresh tank - see while filling my fresh tank. On the right is a 42 gallon Barker along with a 25' 3/4" commercial hose I use to empty my black and grey tanks. The case contains my macerator pump. With this arrangement, I can remain on a site indefinitely, because I can haul away waste and bring in fresh water. The macerator handles waste at home and in the field. My macerator has no trouble lifting the effluent up and over my truck's tailgate and into the barker. It would have no problem lifting your effluent into your cleanout.

Since you have confirmed that your cleanout and drain pipe are, in fact, for sewage, your only challenge will be to absolutely ensure that nobody upstairs flushes while you are dumping. One safety measure you might consider is to get a male-threaded adapter, an elbow, about 6" of pipe and another cleanout cap on top. With this, if someone flushes upstairs, the adapter I described will contain the flush. This whole contraption could be removed if a plumber needs to snake the drain. This would increase lift by about 12" overall, but a good macerator pump can handle that.

 

[reidfo]

Thanks, Jim. That's helpful. I hadn't thought of simply extending the existing cleanout like you describe. I had purchased the macerator a while back anticipating needing to do this. Now that I'm certain I do not have a cleanout in my yard like I had hoped, I'll use the pump.

No worries about anyone flushing while I dump. It's just me and the voices in my head, but they travel wherever I go.

 

[Larry-NC]

The same set of fittings (minus the 3" threaded adapter) will work in your situation because the macerator pump will pump up hill. The rubber washers will seal the fitting to the cap sufficiently because there is no pressure on that pipe.

After pumping the tank, put some fresh water in it and pump that to flush the hose.

Keep a spare, unmodified cap handy to replace when an inspection is involved. Given a choice, use 3/4" garden hose and hose fittings rather than 1/2" for best flow.

 

[jimmoore13]

No worries about anyone flushing while I dump. It's just me and the voices in my head, but they travel wherever I go.

I hear that!! I can't get myself to shut up.

 

[D W]

My sewer cleanouts (2) are slightly higher than the output of my RV's blackwater dump. Like others, I use a macerator pump and a 3/4" commercial grade "garden" hose to dump. I've been doing this for years.

Why 3/4" as opposed to regular 5/8"?
The area of a 3/4" hose is 0.442 square inches.
The area of a 5/8" hose is 0.308 square inches.
The 5/8" hose can only carry 70% of the capacity of the 3/4" hose. That's a big difference in capacity for that extra 1/8" diameter.
And when it comes to moving effluent, which contains lots of solids, that is a huge difference. The larger hose not only moves more effluent, it also substantially reduces resistance and enables your pump to run cooler and for less time.

If you boondock, you have an additional option to extend your stay. The photo shows a 30 gallon potable water tank on the left...complete with transfer pump to refill my fresh tank - see while filling my fresh tank. On the right is a 42 gallon Barker along with a 25' 3/4" commercial hose I use to empty my black and grey tanks. The case contains my macerator pump. With this arrangement, I can remain on a site indefinitely, because I can haul away waste and bring in fresh water. The macerator handles waste at home and in the field. My macerator has no trouble lifting the effluent up and over my truck's tailgate and into the barker. It would have no problem lifting your effluent into your cleanout.

Since you have confirmed that your cleanout and drain pipe are, in fact, for sewage, your only challenge will be to absolutely ensure that nobody upstairs flushes while you are dumping. One safety measure you might consider is to get a male-threaded adapter, an elbow, about 6" of pipe and another cleanout cap on top. With this, if someone flushes upstairs, the adapter I described will contain the flush. This whole contraption could be removed if a plumber needs to snake the drain. This would increase lift by about 12" overall, but a good macerator pump can handle that.
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OH MY GOSH! Before I'd mess with loading all that in the truck bed I'd just stop by the dump station.