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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How Often To Dump RV Black Water Tank?
Maintaining an RV involves various tasks, including managing the black water tank. The question of “How Often To Dump RV Black Water Tank” is crucial for every RV owner to understand for proper sanitation and smooth operation during travels.
- Dump RV black water tank every 3-5 days.
- Tank size matters: larger tanks need less frequent dumping.
- Water usage influences tank filling rate, impacting dumping.
- Foul odor signals the need for black water tank dumping.
- Chemical use can extend the time between necessary dumps.
RVing is perhaps the only hobby where you will discover people enthusiastically talking about bathrooms and the business they entail.
This is because waste, particularly from the bathroom, is essential in RVing. If your RV is not connected to a municipal sewer hook-up, then it is easy for one to think of an RV as a large portable toilet with wheels.
Being able to deal with waste, particularly from a black water tank and its general unpleasantness, is a process that every RVer must learn.
Thankfully, most campgrounds and RV parks come with dump stations, making it much easier to dump waste letting you return to your adventure as soon as possible.
People who have owned RVs for years are no strangers to the black tank and the steps required to dump it. This article aims to provide newbie RVers with a walkthrough of a black tank and how it can be left.
What Impacts How Often Should You Dump A Black Water Tank?
An RV’s black or black water tank can be described as storing a particular type of waste.
I say a particular type of waste as the black water tank holds wastewater from the toilet.
Additionally, if your RV does not have a grey water tank, the wastewater from the shower and sink will flow to the black water tank.
A black water tank is also called an RV septic or wastewater tank. Now that a black water tank is clearly defined, it is time to discover how often you should dump your RV’s black water tank and the process involved.
A great tip that most RVers use is to wait until their tank is two-thirds of the way complete. Doing this means that the tank can be flushed efficiently.
If your tank is not two-thirds full, and you intend to flush it, perhaps for storage purposes, you should fill it up with water to make it easier to wash.
What Do You Need to Have When Dumping Your Black Tank’s Waste?
You will need to have the following to dump your black water tank efficiently:
- Wastewater hose
- Disposable gloves
- Hose clamp or elbow
- Garden hose to help rinse
- Sanitation items like hand sanitizer and bleach
The Basic Steps Involved in Dumping an RV’s Black Water Tank
When you notice that your RV’s black water tank is two-thirds or more full, you should drive to the nearest dump station. It would be best to try to have your RV’s black water tank outlet as close to the dump station’s hook-up.
- Wear disposable gloves for sanitary purposes.
- Ensure that your RV’s black tank valve is tightly shut.
- Connect the RV’s included sewage pipe or hose to the correct output. Specific RV’s have different outputs for the black and grey water tanks. If your RV is one of such, you must ensure it is connected to the proper outlet. The correct outlet will most likely be labeled as black water or sewage. Once you have connected your hose, ensure it is wholly clamped to the output using an additional ring clamp.
- Connect the unattached end of the hose to the dump station’s hook-up using a 45° pipe elbow. Doing this ensures that connecting the pipes is much easier and decreases the occurrence of spills. If your RV’s black water tank does not come with an elbow, ensure the hose is connected at least 1 foot into the waste receptacle.
- Take the time to ensure every connection is completely clamped down. Once this is done, open the black tank’s value. At this point, there should be an audible sound of water flowing; pay attention to it till the sound of rushing water dies down.
- When this happens, head into the RV to flush the toilet numerous times. Doing this ensures that every bit of waste is flushed out. If your RV has a black water tank cycler, you can utilize it.
- If necessary, you can fill your black tank with water and dump it again to ensure every bit of waste is dumped out. You can choose to serve and leave as many times as you want.
- Once done, shut your black water release valve off and disconnect the sewage pipe from the RV and the dump station.
- At this point, rinse the dump hose and the dump area. Move to store your dump pipe in its storage area. You could also use this time to chemically treat your RV’s black water tank if you so desire.
Where can you Dump your Black Water Tank?
1. Free RV Dump
Free dump stations are available all across the country. The conditions you meet. However, this will, of course, vary. Free dump stations can sometimes be found at welcome centers.
Not every free dump station will have non-potable and potable water. Some dump stations have just a sewer connection.
If you require potable water when dumping your black water tank, it is always best to call beforehand to know if that facility has what you need and if you can fill your freshwater tank.
2. RV Dump Stations that Charge a Fee
Truck stops, RV service providers, gas stations, and RV parks all have dump stations charging RVers a fee.
An RVer can expect to pay anything from a few bucks to $35 to use a gas station. If you cannot locate a free RV dump station, you can call around to discover if the RV parks in the area charge a fee for using their facility.
These facilities that charge a fee tend to have non-potable and potable water, so you do not need to find another facility to fill your freshwater tank.
3. Complete Hook-up Sites
Most RVers that stay at complete hook-up sites tend to connect just electric and water hook-ups.
If the sewer connection is connected, the valve is usually closed until it is time to dump. While leaving your grey water tank connection open is possible, sealing it helps to stop odors and critters from using the hose to get into the RV.
Your black water tank valve should remain closed till it is time to dump, as doing otherwise could cause the liquid in the tank to drain while the solids collect in the tank.
Do Black Water Tanks Smell?
Yes, black water tanks can indeed smell. The unpleasant odor typically emanates from the accumulation of waste material in the tank.
As this solid waste decomposes, it releases a distinctive and disagreeable smell. Furthermore, smelly tanks can also result from a leaking valve or fittings.
These leaks can allow odors to escape the tank and permeate your surroundings. Regular maintenance and inspection are essential to prevent and resolve any issues related to odors from your black water tanks.
Summary
The frequency of dumping a Recreational Vehicle’s (RV) black water tank depends on various factors such as the size of the tank, water usage, and the use of chemicals.
Generally, it is recommended to dump the RV black water tank every 3-5 days. However, if you have a larger tank, it may not need to be left as often since it has a higher capacity for waste storage.
Water usage plays a significant role in determining how often to dump the RV black water tank, as heavy water usage will fill the tank quicker, necessitating more frequent dumping.
If you notice a foul odor from your RV, it signals that your black water tank requires dumping.
Chemical usage can also influence the frequency of dumping. By using specific chemicals designed for RV black water tanks, you can break down waste material more efficiently and control odors, thereby extending the time between necessary dumps.
In conclusion, determining how often to dump your RV black water tank requires consideration of several factors, including tank size, water consumption, and chemical usage.
Always be attentive to foul odors indicating it’s time for a dump. When needed, regular maintenance and prompt dumping will contribute to the smooth running of your RV systems and your overall camping experience.
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