RV toilets are not like the regular toilets at home. Especially when it comes to the ways you clean, maintain, or even use them. For example, does an RV toilet gets clogged?
The short answer is yes. RV toilets can get clogged one way or the other. One of the common causes is using regular toilet paper that is not RV-safe. Other causes include black water tank backups because you don’t drain it on a regular basis. Preventing clogs can be much easier than dealing with them in the first place.
We will talk about what causes RV toilets to clog and what are some preventative measures that you should take in the future. We will also discuss what you need to do in the event of a clog. If you want to prevent RV toilet clogs from happening, keep reading to learn more.
What Causes RV Toilets To Clog?
There are a few issues that can cause RV toilets to clog. Let’s take a look at some of those right now:
Using The Wrong Toilet Paper
One of the most common mistakes people make when using an RV is flushing regular toilet paper down an RV toilet. Because regular toilet paper doesn’t always dissolve, this will cause clogging. Yes, some regular household toilet paper can dissolve and be considered ‘RV-safe’. But don’t count on that being the case all the time.
So what is the best preventative measure here? Obviously, you will need to use RV-safe toilet paper that is specially formulated to dissolve when flushed. You can find this kind of toilet paper online or in camping and sporting goods stores. Also, camping toilet paper is not RV-safe contrary to popular belief.
Tank Backup
Uh oh. Did you forget to drain the tank? Yup, too much in the black water tank and you will have a disaster on your hands. Including clogs.
And it’s not just the tank that you may need to worry about. You could also be dealing with hoses and valves that could clog as well. When these clogs occur, water will back up into your toilet and you won’t be able to flush it unless you want to deal with a colossal mess.
At this point, the preventative measures you need to take are self-explanatory. You will need to drain the black water tank on a regular basis. Your RV will have a built-in sensor that will let you know when to drain and clean it. If it doesn’t have a sensor, you will need to keep a close eye on it.
When cleaning the black water tank, make sure you also get the connection hoses as well. The cleaner it all is, the better your toilet will function.
What To Do When Your Toilet Clogs?
If your toilet indeed does clog, you will need to perform one of the following methods depending on the severity of the clog. Let’s take a look at the first one:
Boiling Water
This is the tried and true method that has been proven to work more often than not. What you do is boil large pots of water. The purpose of the hot water is to ensure that it will loosen the objects in the pipes and make sure it drains.
Dump the boiling water into the toilet. You may have to let it sit overnight to ensure that it does its job. This may work after a couple of attempts, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t get completed the first time.
Plunger/Toilet Snake Method
If the clog isn’t as serious, you could use a regular plunger. But keep in mind that it may not be effective if there is no airtight seal present. If a plunger doesn’t do the job, use a toilet snake.
The toilet snake must be long and sturdy to break things up in the pipes. If you have a bit of a strong stomach, this is a task that you might be able to handle. Otherwise, you can rely on the alternative which is boiling water.
Holding Tank Cleaner
Holding tank cleaner has special chemicals that can break down human waste. This may not eliminate the clog completely, but it can take a few hours to make the job a bit easier. So if you are dealing with a clog that isn’t going away instantly, this could be the best possible option.
After which, you can finish the job with some boiling water and allow the clog to break down from there.
Final Thoughts
RV toilets do get clogged. And that can be due to some factors like failing to drain the black water tank or using the wrong toilet paper. Preventing clogs is way better than dealing with them. So make sure that you are using the right kind of RV toilet paper and draining the tank completely.
Clogs themselves can be a challenge to get rid of. But you will have various troubleshooting methods in the event that something does happen. Whether you are new to using an RV or just tired of the constant toilet problems, do your best to prevent future clogs from happening by doing your part in using the right kind of toilet paper and performing regular cleaning and maintenance with your RV’s water system.
