Results for "toilet-leak"

Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 173 👍 0

RV Black Tank Not Holding Full Capacity: 7 Common Causes and DIY Repair Solutions

Somewhere between embarrassed and desperate, I have to ask this probably dumb question: why does my RV's black tank act full when it should hold way more? We have a 40-gallon black tank, but when I try to fill it with water for cleaning, it starts overflowing through the vent pipe at only 23 gallons. I'm afraid there might be something seriously wrong with the installation or that I could damage the system.

A professional cleaning service said the tank was completely clean with no blockages, so I'm confused about why it won't hold its full capacity. The water is definitely coming out the vent pipe, so I assume that means the vent isn't blocked? I'm hesitant to keep trying things without understanding what's actually causing this - could this be a safety issue or sign of improper installation? What should I be looking for to diagnose this safely? …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes 138 👍 0

How to Fix Stuck RV Toilet Valve After Winterization - Step by Step

Called a repair shop about my RV toilet valve that only gets stuck when it's above 60 degrees outside — works perfectly fine during colder weather after winterization. During the camping season, my toilet works perfectly fine - the dump valve opens and closes smoothly without any problems. However, after I winterize my RV for winter storage and drain all the water from the system, I consistently run into the same frustrating problem when I try to de-winterize in spring.

The toilet dump valve gets completely stuck in the closed position and requires significant force to get it moving again. It seems like the valve mechanism seizes up during the months of storage when there's no water in the system. I'm assuming this happens because the seals and moving parts dry out completely without any moisture present during winter storage.

What's the best preventive maintenance I can do to keep this valve from sticking during winterization? Are there specific lubricants or treatments I should apply to the valve mechanism and seals before putting the RV into storage? I'd rather prevent this problem from happening in the first place rather than having to force a stuck valve every spring and risk damaging the toilet. …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 137 👍 0

RV Black Tank Flush Not Working - Water Wont Go In

According to my neighbor I need to replace the valve, the RV dealer says it's just a clog, and YouTube insists it's a pump issue with my 2012 36 QSP's black tank flush system. When I connect my hose to the flush port and turn on the water, nothing seems to go into the tank - the water just doesn't flow in like it should.

I'm wondering if there's a check valve that might be stuck or if something is clogged up? I've used the flush connection earlier in the year without any problems, so this is puzzling. I've heard about debris getting in the spray nozzle too. What are the most common causes when the black tank flush won't accept water, and what should I try to fix it? Any guidance would be really appreciated since I'm not sure what to troubleshoot first! …more

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Best RV Awnings & Accessories

4.5 (7,600 reviews)

Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 129 👍 0

RV Tank Sensor Removal Guide: Gray & Black Water Tank Sensors (Step-by-Step Process)

Somewhere between throwing $150 at new RV tank sensors and just ripping out these faulty gray and black water sensors completely, I'm wondering which route makes more sense? Was looking at changing my gray/black water tank sensors, but when I crawled under there, this is what I found. What kind of sensors are these and how do you remove them? I'd really appreciate some specific advice about the sensor type and removal technique. …more

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General Easy 15-30 minutes 118 👍 0

60 PSI Water Pressure in RV: Is It Too High? (Expert Guide)

Found myself staring at my water pressure gauge right now and there's 60 PSI showing even though my regulator is preset to 50 PSI. This is the first time I've used this particular gauge (bought it about 6 months ago), and it immediately shot up to 60 with no way to adjust it down.

Is 60 PSI going to damage my RV's plumbing system? I'm worried because that seems high, but I'm not sure if it's actually dangerous or just at the upper limit. Could my regulator be failing, or might this new gauge be giving me a bad reading? I'm planning a trip to get a replacement tomorrow, but I want to make sure I'm addressing the right problem here. …more

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Plumbing Easy N/A 111 👍 0

How to Travel with a Winterized RV: Complete Cold Weather Guide

I noticed my travel trailer isn't winterized for my Connecticut to Florida Keys trip in February — can't afford professional service right now, need DIY solutions under $200? I'll be stopping at my brother's place in New Jersey first, and then caravaning to our first stop in Fredericksburg, VA at a KOA with a full bathhouse.

I've winterized my travel trailer for the cold months up here, and I recently heard a podcast about travelers staying winterized and using RV antifreeze for quick bathroom needs during the trip. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this approach.

I know I could de-winterize before leaving, but I'm worried about pipes freezing during the drive south since we'll be going through some cold states. On the other hand, traveling winterized means no water systems working during the trip. What's the smartest way to handle this? Should I keep it winterized for the whole drive and deal with no water, or is there a better strategy I'm missing? …more

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Plumbing Easy N/A - informational 108 👍 0

RV Toilet Paper: Do You Really Need Special Paper for Your RV?

Apparently I'm getting charged premium prices for special RV toilet paper for my 2025 Entegra Anthem and wondering if it's actually necessary with a macerator pump system. The RV has both macerator dump pump and macerator toilet components. I typically dump every 2-3 days at RV parks, with occasional dry camping extending to 5-day intervals before dumping.

Given the mechanical grinding action of the macerator system, I'm questioning whether RV-specific toilet paper is actually necessary. Regular household toilet paper costs significantly less than RV-branded products. My concern is potential damage to the macerator mechanism or holding tank complications.

I also want to understand if using a black tank treatment packet every few days is beneficial, and whether four toilet flushes with water is sufficient for tank maintenance. What are the technical requirements for toilet paper compatibility with macerator pump systems? Are there specific regular toilet paper brands that perform adequately, or should I continue purchasing RV-specific products for system reliability? …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes assessment 108 👍 0

RV Water Pump Failure - Emergency Roadside Repair Guide

The Trek motorhome's water pump just died at 11 PM in the middle of nowhere — need to figure this out before morning. While returning from Assateague, just north of Smyrna, Delaware, my water pump failed with a cloud of steam, leaving me stranded on the side of the road. Thankfully, Coach-Net, our road service provider, found us a tow to Lube Station and Repair in Smyrna. The Delaware State Police and Smyrna Fire Department were incredibly helpful, checking on us during this stressful situation. We ended up staying the night in the shop's lot and made it home only a day late. Has anyone else experienced something similar and have advice for handling roadside RV emergencies? …more

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Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 107 👍 0

Dometic 310 Toilet Foot Pedal Problems: When to Replace vs Repair Completely

Since moving into an RV with a Dometic 310 toilet, the foot pedal is acting up in ways I've never encountered before. The foot pedal mechanism has exhibited poor responsiveness, requiring multiple valve replacements over time. Despite these repairs, the pedal continues to malfunction with irregular operation patterns.

Given the recurring nature of this issue and the accumulated maintenance costs, I am evaluating whether to continue with component-level repairs or proceed with a complete toilet replacement. What factors should determine this decision, and at what point does full unit replacement become the more practical solution? …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 107 👍 0

Thetford Aurora Toilet Replacement Guide: Best RV Toilet Upgrades 2024

The minor drip from my Thetford Aurora toilet seals started last month but now it's turned into a constant leak requiring daily maintenance. After one seal replacement, the failure recurred within four months of operation, indicating a potential systemic issue with this model's design.

I'm evaluating replacement options and need technical guidance on reliable alternatives. Budget considerations are important, but I require a unit that can withstand continuous use without recurring maintenance issues. Preference is for ceramic bowl construction over plastic alternatives for durability and performance characteristics.

What are the most reliable Thetford toilet models for Aurora replacement, and how do budget options like the Aqua Magic series compare to mid-range and premium models in terms of long-term reliability and seal performance? …more

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Plumbing Medium 60 minutes 106 👍 0

RV Toilet Won't Hold Water: Fix Bowl Drainage & Sewer Smells

Since my RV service tech insists I need to replace my entire toilet just because the water keeps disappearing from the bowl, I'm wondering if he's overselling me on what might be a simple seal issue. Pretty sure it's a seal issue but not sure if it's the ball seal, blade seal, or something with the valve itself. Getting some lovely sewer smells too which is just fantastic 🙄

Before I start tearing things apart, what's usually the culprit here? And roughly what am I looking at cost-wise for parts? Really hoping this is one of those DIY fixes and not a "call the RV guy" situation. …more

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Best RV Surge Protectors

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Plumbing Easy 2-24 hours 103 👍 0

Fix RV Black Tank Sensors Reading Full When Empty - Easy DIY

This used RV came with black tank sensors that constantly read 2/3 full even after completely dumping and flushing. No matter what I do, the sensors consistently show that misleading reading, and I'm pretty sure this is a sensor probe issue with waste buildup, but I've never cleaned them before and don't want to damage anything. I've heard about using special tank chemicals, sensor cleaning products, and even some kind of ice cube trick, but I need to know the proper methods that actually work.

What are the proven ways to clean RV black tank sensor probes and get my readings back to normal? I really need accurate tank levels so I know when it's actually time to dump! …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes each use 102 👍 0

Why RV Water Smells Bad After Storage: Quick Fix Guide

Pulled the RV out of winter storage and the water smells like rotten eggs the second I turn on any faucet. Hot and cold both reek. Sanitized the tank with bleach before storage but clearly something went wrong over the winter. Need this fixed before our first trip next weekend. …more

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Plumbing Easy N/A 98 👍 0

Dometic RV Toilet Parts Diagrams: Complete Guide by Model Number

Halfway through this camping season, my Dometic RV toilet is eating through replacement parts way faster than it should, and I can't figure out which diagrams match my model number. I think I need a new ball seal and possibly a water valve, but I want to make sure I get the right parts for my specific model.

Where can I find official parts diagrams that show all the components? Also, I'm not even sure how to figure out what model toilet I have - is there a way to identify the model number? Any guidance would be really helpful since I don't want to order the wrong parts. …more

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Plumbing Easy 30-60 minutes 91 👍 0

How to Fix Shurflo 4008 Pressure Switch Failure: Complete DIY Repair Guide

Every time I turn on a faucet in my new RV, this Shurflo 4008 water pump just won't quit running like it's stuck in overdrive! 🏃‍♂️ Even when I'm not using any water, this thing is chugging away like it's got somewhere important to be.

I'm pretty sure it's the high pressure microswitch acting up. As I learned, this can cause the pump to run continuously due to a high resistance short. The good news is you have multiple repair options:
- Replace just the microswitch
- Replace the pressure housing (3 screws)
- Or swap the entire pump (about $73 on Amazon)

Has anyone dealt with this before? I'd love to avoid replacing the entire pump if possible, but I'm also tired of listening to this mechanical marathon runner! …more

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