Results for "toilet-pedal"

Plumbing Medium 2-3 hours 127 👍 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 103 👍 0

Fix RV Low Water Pressure on City Connection: Troubleshooting Pump Assembly

Last week my pressure regulator started reading a solid 40 PSI on city water but my water pump keeps cycling on for 5-6 seconds when everything says it should stay completely off. When I connect to city water, my water pressure regulator shows a solid 40 PSI, which should be plenty, right? But here's the weird part - my water pump keeps kicking on for about 5-6 seconds then shuts off, even though I'm connected to city water and the pump switch is supposed to be off.

The really frustrating thing is that the pressure feels weak throughout the RV, with specifically the bathroom sink and kitchen sink seeming low, though the shower has good pressure. I've already changed out the intake/check valve and don't currently have a filter in the system. I can see the pump running while on city water, which I know is not normal. I noticed the kitchen and bathroom sink screens were plugged - which might explain some pressure issues - but now I'm wondering about the toilet's low pressure. Could there be a screen in the toilet line I'm not seeing?

I've been full-timing for two years and never had this issue before. What should I be checking for? I'm handy enough to do basic repairs but need to know where to focus my troubleshooting efforts. …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 101 👍 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 Surge Protectors

4.6 (14,200 reviews)

Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 96 👍 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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Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 94 👍 0

RV Water Pump Pulsing & Cycling Issues: 7 Causes + DIY Solutions

Noticed my RV water pump keeps pulsing and cycling on its own even when no faucets are running - is this dangerous with kids around? The water pump keeps turning on and off rapidly - like every few seconds - even when I don't have any faucets or anything running. It's doing this pulsing thing constantly.

I've heard someone mention something about an accumulator tank, but I'm not really sure what that is or how to check it. Could there be other things causing this too? I'd really appreciate some guidance on what might be wrong and where I should start looking. This is all pretty overwhelming as a beginner! …more

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General Easy 15-30 minutes 87 👍 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 - informational 81 👍 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 2-24 hours 81 👍 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 4-12 hours for sanitization 80 👍 0

RV Fresh Water Tank Safety: Complete Guide to Preventing Contamination Risks

Between the horror stories about brain-eating amoebas and my complete cluelessness about RV water systems, I'm terrified I'm going to poison myself with my own fresh water tank. I've been RVing for years and never really thought twice about our fresh water tank - we'd fill up wherever, use it for drinking, cooking, even my wife's neti pot rinses.

Now I'm second-guessing everything! How often should I actually be sanitizing our tank? Are there specific water sources I should avoid? And what about activities like nasal irrigation - I keep seeing conflicting advice about what water is actually safe to use. I really want to keep my family safe but also don't want to become completely neurotic about every drop of water we use. What are the real best practices here? …more

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Plumbing Medium 45 minutes 80 👍 0

Newmar Bay Star 3826 Black Tank Vent Pipe Routing: Complete RV Location Guide

This dangerous sewer smell is seeping into my Newmar Bay Star 3826 where my kids are sleeping—could the black tank vent pipe routing be putting my family at risk? I can trace the half bath black tank vent line running through or adjacent to the electrical cabinet area, but I require confirmation of this routing.

The rear bathroom black tank vent pathway is less apparent during my inspection. I need to identify where this vent line routes from the tank connection point up to the roof termination. Understanding both vent pipe locations is critical for proper system maintenance and troubleshooting potential blockage issues. …more

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Plumbing Easy 30 minutes assessment 78 👍 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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Best RV Generators

4.6 (18,900 reviews)

Plumbing Easy 2-3 hours 78 👍 0

How to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank After Summer Storage - Complete Guide to Cleaning and Maintaining Fresh Water Systems

About to tackle sanitizing my Winnebago Navion's water tank this Saturday after months of Arizona summer storage — what supplies should I have ready? The fresh water tank was completely drained before storage and has remained empty for approximately 4 months.

Given the extended storage period and the harsh desert conditions with temperatures exceeding 100°F for most of the summer, I need to determine the proper protocol for bringing the water system back online. Is a simple rinse sufficient, or does this situation warrant a full sanitization procedure?

What is the recommended bleach ratio and contact time for sanitizing after this type of extended hot weather storage? I want to ensure the water system is safe for consumption before our next trip. …more

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Plumbing Medium 1-2 hours 78 👍 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 Easy 30 minutes each use 77 👍 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 Medium 1-2 hours 72 👍 0

How to Fix a Macerator Toilet Leaking Water From Bowl to Floor

Turned on my RV this morning to discover my macerator toilet is leaking water from bowl to floor — can't afford a $200+ service call, any DIY fixes under $50? We have a 2016 DS 3736 with a macerator toilet that just started leaking water from the bowl onto the bathroom floor. The RV has been sitting unused for about two months, and this is the first time we've had it out since then - not sure if that's related but thought I should mention it.

The leak started two days ago and water is coming out pretty quickly now. I'm wondering if sitting idle could have caused something to dry out or if there might be debris blocking something? I'd love to know how to figure out exactly where it's leaking from and what the most common fixes are for this type of issue. Any advice on troubleshooting steps would be really appreciated! …more

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