How To Get Rid Of A Poop Pyramid In RV Black Tank

Introduction

Keeping the “sewage system” in tip-top shape is essential if you have an RV. But you are probably already aware of this. If you’re worried about the toileting situation, you probably want to learn as much about it as possible. Let’s find out how to eliminate a poop pyramid in an RV black tank.

The best way to prevent a poop pyramid from occurring in the first place is to keep the black tank valve shut at all times (except when emptying the tank). You should also make sure you use suitable toilet paper because certain papers are not as suitable and may cause issues.

What Is A Poop Pyramid?

You might already know poop pyramids, possibly (but hopefully not) from experience. They are not a pleasant thing to have to deal with.

These are piles of toilet paper and poop that build up in the tank. They will start by building up over the tank floor and block the toilet line from the bottom of the tank if they aren’t dealt with.

A poop pyramid will stop the tank from working properly because it blocks it up. You won’t be able to add water to the tank, and you will find that nothing comes from it if you open the valve. You also can’t use the toilet, which is not good in an RV with limited other options!

This is very easy to mix up with different problems, such as a clogged toilet, but if you have left the valve open, you are likely dealing with a poop pyramid, even if that is unpleasant to recognize!

It can be hard to distinguish between a blocked toilet and a poop pyramid, so it’s a good idea to look into what is clogging your toilet up before fixing it. This may save you time on a highly unpleasant job.

How Do You Prevent A Poop Pyramid?

The best way to prevent poop pyramids is not to open the black tank valve The problem with leaving this valve open is that it allows the liquid in the waste to trickle out to the sides, meaning that the leftover waste solidifies and cannot spread out and get washed into the rest of the tank.

It might seem like leaving the open valve helps because the waste will move freely into the rest of the tank, but it doesn’t work this way. Because the tank is flat at the bottom, the poop will sit on it, especially when mixed with toilet paper, which helps stick the whole lot together.

That sounds pretty unpleasant, and it isn’t nice to deal with, so keeping the valve closed is a good idea. This stops the liquid from trickling away from the waste, keeping it soft. Then you open the valve and clean the tank.

How To Get Rid Of A Poop Pyramid In RV Black Tank

The first thing to do is ensure you have a poop pyramid in the tank. It is really important to know this before you start trying to get rid of it because if you have a blocked toilet line rather than a poop pyramid, the approach you need to take is different.

To check, pour some water into the black tank via the toilet bowl, and see what it does. If the water collects up in the toilet bowl rather than running through, you likely have a pyramid plug, especially if you have left the black valve open at some stage recently (even if you have only done so fairly briefly).

Once you have determined it is a poop pyramid, use one of the below methods.

Firstly, try using some baking soda with vinegar. To do this, pour about 250 grams of baking soda into the toilet bowl, and leave it for about ten minutes or so, letting it get soaked into the blockage.

When the baking soda has been absorbed a bit, add half a liter of white vinegar, splashing this evenly around the bowl so that it comes into contact with the baking soda in all areas. It should begin to fizz fiercely, and this chemical reaction should start to hydrate and free the blocked material.

Leave this for an hour or two and see if it has done the trick; hopefully, the pyramid will have shifted.

Secondly, you can purchase some commercial plunger fluid. This should be reasonably easy to buy and is usually very effective. Follow the instructions on the bottle and let it sit for several hours or overnight if possible.

You can then flush the toilet and see if this has solved the issue. This is often the easiest way to clear a poop pyramid, but it does involve getting a special liquid.

A third option is to try washing powder or laundry liquid. This is often good for clearing blockages because it lubricates and cleans and has the added advantage of making the toilet smell pleasanter while dealing with the issue. Give this a go, and then try flushing the toilet through with water if possible.

You can also use a plunger to try and unplug the toilet, as this creates a vacuum effect that will help free up the blockage. Cover the bathroom duct, and plunge in and out to dislodge and shift the blockage.

With a large clog, this may not work; in that case, you might want to seek help from a professional.

Conclusion

Learning how to get rid of a poop pyramid in an RV black tank is something all RVers should know. A poop pyramid in an RV is never pleasant to deal with, but it needs to be addressed. Either buy one of the commercially available liquids that will help unclog it or try one of the above suggestions for a homemade solution. Prevent blockages by keeping the valve closed.

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