Black tank washout

[Shorty Cox]

I got a friend that just returned for a short week long trip. He wanted to do a thorough cleaning at his home hook-up. He hooked the hose to the inlet of the black tank washout, turned the faucet on, and NOTHING. Water would not flow into the tank. Any thoughts?

[BroRobin]

Back-flow preventer install reversed possibly?
Is it factory/dealer installed or DIY?
Obstruction in inside tank blocking outlet?
Kink in water line going to tank sprayer?

These are just a few ideas. [emoji2371][emoji2371]

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by BroRobin

Back-flow preventer install reversed possibly?
Is it factory/dealer installed or DIY?
Obstruction in inside tank blocking outlet?
Kink in water line going to tank sprayer?

These are just a few ideas. [emoji2371][emoji2371]

X2, has it ever worked in the past?

My first thought is an obstruction inside the tank blocking the outlet.

If he has a good way to dump the tank at home, I would fill the tank with clear water, and add a cup of liquid fabric softener or Water softener crystals to the tank and let it soak for a day or two. Drain and try again.

I suspect after he dumps and flushes, he keeps the tank dry, that is a no-no. He should fill the tank at minimum about 10% water volume back into the tank. So for a 40 gallon tank, I dump about 4-5 gallons of water down the tank. This will keep the bacteria in the tank health (reduce odor), washes down the walls as you drive, helps keep any solids from becoming cement between trips. The key element to a well maintained black tank is lots of water. Only time my black tank is dry is during winter storage.

[RogerR]

After I have really cleaned mine I always drain them and then leave the valves open for a few days to dry them out. In Illinois the very cold winter could easily freeze and ruin the valves. I do treat the toilet valve with lube and put a gallon of pink down the toilet to protect the valves.
Another thought, would something like septic tank bacteria additives work to eat the paper or crud on the sides and bottom. I thought about adding a small amount to a water fill and leaving it for a week or so before fall shut down let the bacteria work. I have some for my septic tank anyway.

[pward]

Originally Posted by RogerR

would something like septic tank bacteria additives work to eat the paper or crud on the sides and bottom. I thought about adding a small amount to a water fill and leaving it for a week or so before fall shut down let the bacteria work. I have some for my septic tank anyway.

Happy Campers Organic RV Holding Tank Treatment

[Shorty Cox]

Thanks to all for you input. The tank washer has been used in the past and is factory installed. Is there some kind of impeller(spinning device) inside the tank or is it simply a pipe with a bunch of holes to spray the water.

I had the backflow device go bad, but it released water inside the camper as opposed to preventing water flow.