How to unclog an rv toilet: Step-by-step.

how to unclog an rv toilet

It is a subject that no one really intends on talking about, but it is always best to know how to unclog an RV toilet. If you're ever planning on living in your living in your Recreational Vehicle or spend a lot more time there, you will need to learn exactly how to unclog a clogged toilet. This is so that whenever it happens you your rv toilet, you will be more than ready and equipped to handle the problem.

How do you know you have a clogged toilet?

  • An undesirable smell will come from the toilet. You may not see anything when you look in the toilet, however, the odor will be strong.
  • If that is true, the valve on your RV's back water storage tank should be opened. If the valve is difficult to open up, take your vehicle to the dealer as well as have the component examined.
  • If the tank isn't empty and you don't hear or see anything then your toilet is clogged.
  • Precautions to take when you find out you have a clogged rv toilet

    • Be sure to not put anything in the toilet.
    • If your gray water tanks empty into the toilet, shut it off.
    • Do not use any other faucets or drains in the rv until the clog has been taken care of.
    • Never use drano as it has chemicals that are too harsh for an rv's toilet.

    How to unclog an rv toilet the right way?

    There are many different ways to unclog an rv toilet. Below are the best ways possible. Choose which one seem to be a best fit for you and the tools you might already have on hand.

    1. Unclog with the Toilet Snake method
    2. toilet snake

      This method involves using a toilet snake to unblock your rv's toilet. Due to its flexibility, the toilet snake can get into areas that a plunger will never be able to get to.'

    3. Unclog with the hot water method
    4. If you do not have any kind of tools on hand, simply pour some boiling water in your rv's toilet and leave it in there for a few minutes. After a few minutes, inspect the toilet to see if it has actually unclogged. If it was successfully unclogged by the hot water, flush it a few times to ensure that the problem has actually been solved. If it is still blocked, pour more hot water in the bowl.

    5. Unclog with a plunger
    6. red toilet plunger for rvs

      Using a plunger is the most popular way to try and remove a clog. A plunger works by creating a vacuum in your toilet and upon pushing force onto the handle, it pushes away any clog that might be in your rv toilet pipes.

      The best way to use a plunger is to add a quarter cup of dawn to the toilet bowl,let it sit for a couple hours, then use a plunger.

    7. Unclog with Septic Safe De-Clogging Chemicals
    8. declogging chemicals for rv toilets

      There are many commercially offered chemical items for de-clogging rv toilets. These have been particularly prepared to unclog toilet paper and other waste products. Be sure to check that any chemical you choose to use is safe for septic use.

      To de-clog your rv toilet with chemicals, fill up toilet midway with water. Use the chemical as directed on the directions page or on the bottle. Directions are usually to pour a certain amount in the toilet and to leave it there for a couple minutes. After a few of hours have passed, flush the toilet. This will allow the chemicals to sit in the tank and do its job.

      If you decide to use chemicals, i would suggest the Unique RV Digest-It Black Holding Tank Treatment. It works as it should and has over 5 thousand great reviews on amazon. If you need a great chemical fix, choose this one.

      If you want a fix that isn't liquid based, you can use RV Digest-It Drop-in Pod Toilet Treatment. These are pods like the pods you would use in your dishwasher. They work by digesting all brands of toilet paper, soild wastes, and also eliminates odor. Give it a try andlet me knwo what results you have.

    9. Unclog with the Ice Cube Method
    10. This involves filling the toilet bowl up to around three quarters of the way and then adding a few ice cubes to the mix. Flush the toilet after adding the ice cubes. The ice cubes should be able to push away any small amtter that might be blocking the pipes.

    11. Unclog with the flexible tank wand method
    12. flexible tank wand for rv toilets

      This is a hose that is very flexible. It is used in combination with a high pressure water hose to remove clogs that are deep in the system. This is one of the best methods of removing clogs in your rv toilet

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    How to prevent future clogs

    • Use more water

    • When you're using the toilet, be generous with the water. Fill up the bowl with enough water before using it, also, do it once more after you flush. Simply put, the more water you use the better. This will certainly guarantee that your toilet does not get blocked as well as will avoid the waste in your black storage tank from creating a strong mass that can be almost impossible to do away with.

    • Drop-in Packets

    • Drop-in packets are a sort of black tank treatment. It was created to aid in breaking down waste in your storage tank and get rid of smells. Furthermore , they are very easy to use. As the name implies, simply dropping a packet right into your toilet and allowing it to be fully covered with water.

    • Use Easy Dissolve Toilet Paper

    • One of the main causes of you will find in a clogged rv toilet is the overuse of normal toilet paper. Normal toilet paper can create an obstruction in your toilet's pipe and also cause unwanted build-up in your tank. This will create a tough mass that is very hard to remove.

      It is always best to use toilet paper known as rapid dissolving toilet paper. Knwoing how to unclog an rv toilet is a great skill to have. You should also know some heavy-duty toilet seats to ensure you don't accidentally break your original toilet seats while you are on the road.

    Which items do you need to unclog an rv toilet?

    1. Rubber gloves
    2. Eye wear
    3. Disposable clothing
    4. Plumber’s snake (Easy Bend)
    5. Hose connected to a faucet
    6. Bucket

    What causes clogs in your rv toilet?

    • The pyramid plug
    • This is when poo and toilet paper build up and causes a clog. Most clogged RV toilets are caused by pyramid plugs. A pyramid plug is a build up of of poop and also toilet paper that has developed from all-time low of your black water tank and formed a pyramid type of ickyness that has actually now reached your toilet. This is a regular cause of a clog in rv toilets. Many people inaccurately assume that their holding tank or tanks are full when in fact it is clogged. For a few individuals, this may certainly hold true, however, for most individuals, the offender is not an entirely clogged tank yet, just simply a pyramid of waste.

    • Feminine items: They can cause the toilet to clog
    • One of the most common causes of clogged toilets is feminine items. They include sanitary pads, tampons, wipes, and other similar products. These items are not suitable for toilets because these are bulky and can get stuck in the pipe. Even if you flush them with water, these can also get stuck in the RV’s sewer system or septic tank.

    • Q-tips: They can block your toilet as well
    • You might not know it but q-tips can clog your toilet too. Just like feminine products, they are designed to be disposed of properly because they are bulky and they do not dissolve in water easily. As a result, they can get stuck in the pipes which will lead to a clogged toilet.

    • Your RV toilet is not a trash can.
    • Things like plastic containers, cigarette filters, cotton balls, and other trash should never be flushed down the toilet. These items can build up in the plumbing system and create a clog.

    • Paper Towels and Wipes
    • Do not flush paper towels or wipes down your RV toilet. These cloth-like materials don’t break down like toilet paper and will get stuck in your plumbing system. This is a common cause of clogs in the black tank.

    • Foreign Objects
    • Anything that shouldn’t be flushed down a normal toilet shouldn’t go down an RV toilet either. Diapers, feminine products, cat litter, and even toys can lead to clogs that cause a backup in your plumbing system.

    RV toilets are made to work just like your home toilet, as long as you follow some basic rules.

    • Don't put anything in your RV toilet that's not human waste or RV toilet paper.
    • No grease, no paper towels, no feminine products, no kitty litter ... nothing. Only use RV toilet paper.
    • Make sure the holding tank is empty before you travel, so you don't slosh around and make a mess inside the tank and the toilet bowl.
    • Don't leave your RV in storage for long periods of time with liquid in the holding tank. If you do, it will start to stink after a while and could possibly break down the seal in the black water valve.
    Conclusion

    Hopefully you never have to deal with this, but if you're reading this I can only assume that you do. I also hope that it's not too late (after the fact) and you haven't launched a search engine query to "unclog an rv toilet". If so, then i hope this article saved you some time.

    About Author:

    image of Kevin Pommells

    Hi, I'm Kevin Pommells, a lover of camping and the great outdoors as everyone says nowadays. I'm also a passionate soccer fan and the proud owner of CamperRules.com, a website dedicated to helping campers and outdoor enthusiasts make the most of their adventures. With years of experience exploring the wilderness and a deep love for the sport of soccer, I'm always looking for new ways to combine my two passions and share my knowledge with others. Follow me for tips, tricks, and insights on all things camping and outdoor recreation.

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