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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How to Drain Gray Water Tank on an RV?
Draining the gray water tank is an essential maintenance task for anyone who owns or operates an RV. The gray water tank holds water that’s been used that needs to be emptied regularly to prevent overflow and maintain the overall hygiene of your RV. We will provide a step-by-step guide on how to drain a gray water tank on an RV.
- Locate the gray water tank.
- Gather the materials needed.
- Connect the sewer hose.
- Direct to sewer inlet.
- Release the gray water.
- Monitor the drain.
Perhaps you are a new “RVer,” and you still don’t understand your vehicle’s plumbing system well. You are probably confused about how your RV’s water system works!
One of the primary things you should know is that most manufactured campers and motorhomes feature a three-tank system responsible for handling your water and waste needs.
First, a freshwater tank stores cooking, drinking, and bathing water. Second is the black water tank, which is mainly designed for the storage of waste like sewage.
The third is the grey water tank, designed to store wastewater that wouldn’t usually be stored in the black water tank. This article will mainly focus on the latter, particularly how to drain and keep it clean.
What is a Gray Water Tank?
As mentioned, grey water tanks are designed to store wastewater that isn’t usually stored in the black water tank.
Such tanks are unnecessary for a traditional household as homes are usually connected to a septic tank or the city’s sewerage system.
However, mixing black and grey water in an RV is impractical; one would need a huge tank to contain both wastes.
RV manufacturers have, instead, opted to separate waste like sewage, wastewater produced from showering, wastewater from cleaning the dishes, and even that from the bathroom sink.
Gray water is essentially any wastewater that needs disposal that isn’t sewage or human waste.
How to Drain Your RV’s Gray Water Tank
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Homeowner Repair.
Draining a gray water tank is quite simple. Just connect a sewer hose to your chosen dump station hole and attach the other end of the hose to your grey water tank valve.
Next, open the tank’s valve and let the waste flow. Below are a few valuable things to keep in mind about draining your grey tank:
- Drain your RV’s gray water tank after draining the black water tank. Why? The greywater helps wash away any residue left in the sewer hose from the black water.
- Do not illegally dump your waste (stealth dumping). Before draining your tank, check out the rules and limitations of the state and camping ground where you intend to leave your waste.
- Scrape your dirty utensils to remove food or grease before washing and rinsing them. This goes a long way in preventing your RV plumbing from clogging. Food waste is, in fact, mainly responsible for the production of the worst grey tank odors.
- Use strainers in your RV’s shower and sink to prevent hair and food from going down the drains.
Where To Drain Your RV’s Gray Water Tank
Even though the waste from your grey tank is less toxic than the black tank, it is still considered wastewater, and unique places are designated for dumping such waste.
The laws for dumping vary in different states. Hence, it is always advisable to check out the rules and limitations of the location (campground, municipality, state) where you intend to dump your waste.
Illegal waste dumping (stealth dumping) often attracts fines in most locations.
Directly dumping grey water onto the ground is forbidden in most places. Some places, on the other hand, encourage it for irrigation. Below are a few essential points to keep in mind:
- Do not dump your grey water on the pavement. Greywater smells just as bad as black water, particularly food waste.
- Do not contaminate freshwater sources. The nearby lake is not the perfect place for dumping your sink water.
- Remember to double-check the rules and limitations of where you dump your waste, and always be considerate of others in your surroundings.
- Whenever you find yourself at a camping ground that offers dumping facilities, please use them. Draining your gray water after cleaning some dishes might not seem much, but imagine how muddy the campground would be if all “RVers” emptied their grey water tanks on the grounds every week.
How to Rinse Your RV’s Gray Water Tank
It is always a good idea to rinse your grey water tank’s inner walls after draining it. Leaving the walls dirty could cause clogs and unpleasant odors.
You will need a tank rinser or a flush valve to clean these inner walls.
1. Tank Rinser
Tank rinsers come already permanently installed on RVs, and they provide a convenient means of flushing grease, soap scum, and food residue out of your grey water tank.
Tank rinsers have an external hookup for your garden hose, and the rinser’s other end is attached to a hole drilled into the tank.
Once you rinse your hose, the rinser sprays water at very high pressure to thoroughly rinse the tank.
One aspect to remember when choosing a rinser is its nozzle style. Some rinsers spray water at 180° (straight streams), while some spray water at a 360° radius.
Some nozzles have rotating heads, while others remain stationary when spraying.
2. Flush Valve
Apart from allowing you to clean up your grey water tank, this equipment also flushes out your sewer hose, which disintegrates clogs and cleanses the tank’s sensors.
Hook the garden hose to the equipment’s barrel and equipment’s either the hose or tank set to direct the water flow where needed.
Many flush valves are easy to connect and disconnect with every use, and no installation tools are required. However, others are permanently installed by clicking on your RV’s outside wall and tRV’sank.
Also included in the flush valve are in-built backflow preventers that ensure your water source is not contaminated. This means you do not have to stress about the wastewater backing up in your hose.
Most flush valves even feature transparent barrels that let you see when the flushing water starts running clean.
The Best Gray Water Tank Treatment Techniques
After draining and then meticulously cleaning our grey tank, you could treat the tank for the best results. You don’t have to treat your tan each time you drain it; treatment after a second or third draining is enough.
Treating your grey tank helps to prevent unpleasant odors and clogs by disintegrating residues like soap scum and grease.
One important thing to observe is that only environmentally friendly treatment methods are to be used; employ those methods that are formaldehyde-free and enzyme-based.
Unfortunately, several campground dumping stations are closing because of the use dangerous tank treatment chemicals by some uncivilized RVers.
Below are two kinds of grey tank treatment methods that you should consider using:
1. Liquid Gray Tank Treatments
Such chemical-free treatments constitute bacterial formulas/biodegradable enzymes that make them suitable for disintegrating waste without necessarily introducing toxic chemicals to the surroundings when you drain your grey tank.
Just ensure that you use accurate treatment amounts for your grey tank (measuring instructions are on the bottle).
Also available are liquid sensor cleansers that have been specifically designed to get rid of buildup from your tank’s sensors.
If you think the readings from your gauge are not as accurate as before, such cleansers will help eradicate any buildups left behind and considerably improve your tank’s readings.
2. Drotank’sray Tank Treatments
Such treatments include pouches, scoopable additives, and tablets. Many RVers prefer this treatment over liquid tank treatments mainly because of convenience.
Unlike liquid treatments, drop-ins do not require measuring. In addition, with drop-in therapies, you do not have to worry about any accidental spillages.
How Often Should I Drain my RV’s Gray Water Tank?
IRV’su live in your RV. I recommend cleaning your tank once a year. If you rarely use your rig, I recommend cleaning and flushing your grey tank before putting your RV into long-term storage. Part-time RVers are, however, advised to clean their tanks after every use.
Signs That Your Gray Tank Needs Replacement
The most obvious sign that your grey tank needs repair or replacement is if you notice any leakage. Besides leakage, you also need to monitor the seams of your grey tank. If they are worn out or cracked, then a replacement is required.
All in all, draining your grey tank and keeping it clean will go a long way in maintaining the proper functioning state of your tank. Remember to empty your tank at the right time and, most importantly, at the right place.
Can I Put Bleach in my Gray Water Tank?
Yes, you can put bleach in your grey water tank. This procedure is essential for maintaining the cleanliness and functionality of your grey tank.
The process involves thoroughly scrubbing the shower and sink drains and emptying the grey tank at an approved disposal facility.
Once that is done, you can add bleach into the grey tank, using the ratio of one cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of wastewater.
This method ensures efficient disinfection and eliminates unpleasant odors, providing a complete sanitation solution for your grey water tank.
Final Words
Mastering draining the gray water tank is a vital competence for RV owners. This procedure commences with pinpointing the gray water tank, usually located beneath the RV and identifiable by its gray hue.
Essential materials must be prepared, including gloves, a sewer hose, and a tank rinser.
The subsequent step involves securely attaching the sewer hose to the RV’s gray water tank ouRV’s and extending it to a regulated sewer inlet or dumping station, adhering to local environmental guidelines.
Once set up, the gray water is released by operating the release valve, carefully monitoring drainage issues, and using a tank rinser if necessary to eliminate obstructions.
This method is crucial for maintaining the RV’s functionality, and the RV’s scores emphasize the importance of responsible waste management.
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