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Your RV plumbing performs a valuable service, but it doesn’t happen by magic. Every component of your plumbing system needs regular attention to keep things flowing smoothly. Your RV’s gray water tank will need cleaning about every two weeks, or at the end of each trip.
This tank does the important job of collecting the water that goes down your sink and shower drains. Learn how to keep your gray water tank in top condition with the following guide from McClain’s RV.
Doing a little homework before purchasing your first RV? Brushing up on RV maintenance is a great place to start. When you’re ready to check out some new and used RVs for sale, head McClain’s RV. We have a great selection of models at our dealerships in Corinth, Kerrville, Sanger, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth and Rockwall.
Gather Your Supplies
Keep all the supplies you need for cleaning your gray water tank in a storage compartment in your RV. This will include a hose that’s compatible with your gray water tank, a pair of rubber gloves, and an appropriate cleaning agent. Many owners simply use dishwasher detergent, but there are also special cleaning products designed for the job. You can find these marketed as tank cleaners or tank treatment solutions. You might also want to pack a heavy object, such as a rock or brick, for the purpose of weighing down your hose to prevent it from moving around while you’re cleaning the tank.
Drain and Flush Your Tank
When preparing to drain your gray water tank, position your RV close enough to the dump station’s disposal tank that your hose reaches with at least five inches of slack. Then, remove the cap from your RV’s outlet port between the gray and black water tanks. Connect one end of your hose to the gray water tank’s relief valve, and the other end to the input of the dump station’s disposal tank. Now open the relief valve to allow your gray water to drain into the disposal tank. This is when your heavy object can come in handy to steady the hose.
When the tank has been emptied, it’s time to flush the inside to remove any lingering food particles or bacteria that can generate odors. Some RVs have a built-in flushing filter, but in most cases you will need to flush the tank manually. With your gray water tank still hooked up to the disposal tank, run all your faucets at full pressure. Then pour a little of your cleaning solution down each drain to help eliminate microbes.
Clean and Deodorize Your Tank
Tightly close the release valve on your gray water tank and pour in the amount of cleaning solution recommended on the product label. If you’re going with dishwasher detergent, measure about one cup. Then, simply take your RV out driving for about half an hour. This should generate plenty of “sloshing” action to disperse your cleaning product. After the drive, empty the tank and flush it out with an equal amount of fresh water.
Dump Your Gray Water
Waste water dumping regulations vary by state. Texas does allow dumping of gray water directly into sewers, while some states require you to use designated dump stations for this purpose. Learn and obey the local laws for gray water dumping in the areas you plan to visit, and take note of any dump stations located along your route.
Keep in mind that dumping gray water on your lawn is never advisable. Gray water can damage your grass, contaminate the groundwater, and produce foul odors. Better to stick with a city sewer connection or an official dump station.
We hope you found these tips helpful! If you’re looking for more advice on RV maintenance, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly staff at McClain’s RV. We proudly serve our communities in Texas and Oklahoma.
