Maintaining an RV Gray Water Tank

Proper RV maintenance is easy as long as you focus on the right details. Your plumbing system is a very important part of a comfortable RV trip, but it involves the unpleasant task of dumping your holding tanks. Your gray water is relatively clean and odorless, but it can also include dirt and food particles. You usually dump both holding tanks at the same time, but gray water disposal is a slightly different process than black water disposal. The important thing is to dispose of both without making a mess or breaking any laws. Here are a few tips for proper gray water tank maintenance. If you have any other questions visit us at Rte. 125 RV & Marine in Rochester, New Hampshire. We’re proud to serve RV enthusiasts in Massachusetts and Maine.

What Can You Put Down the Drain?

You don’t have to treat your RV drains any differently than your drains at home. Be sure to occasionally rinse them with hot water and avoid putting hair, grease or large pieces of food down the drain. If you’re doing any activities where you get a lot of sand or dirt on you, it’s best to rinse it off with the hose before coming inside. Tanks don’t usually get clogged up like pipes, but why take a chance?

When Should You Dump?

Your holding tank indicators will tell you when your tanks are filling up, but you never have to wait until they’re full to dump. Your black water tank requires special waste-dissolving chemicals to manage odors, but that’s not usually necessary with gray water tanks. If you do notice any odors coming from your sink or shower drains, you can use mild dish detergent or gray water treatment chemicals and rinse with plenty of hot water. Be sure that any chemicals you use for managing odors or removing clogs are safe to use with your RV’s plumbing.

How Do I Dump?

Wearing gloves and a mask is always a good idea when you’re emptying your holding tanks. Connect your sewer hose to the black water tank first and be sure it’s completely secure before you open the valve. Place the other end of the hose at least four or five inches into the dump hole and then open the valve. Once you’ve dumped the black water, dump the gray water using the same procedure. If city water is available, refill the tanks with fresh water and dump them again. Lift the hose from the RV end to drain any remaining water and rinse the hose before returning it to storage. 

Rte. 125 RV & Marine in Rochester, New Hampshire always here to help when you have questions. We also serve Massachusetts and Maine.