The idea of dumping RV tanks at home can be a little controversial. There are definitely some that advise against doing so, with really good reason. IF however, you choose to do so anyway, the following article just compiles some of our research on how to do so.
Not all facilities in state parks or national parks have full hookups with RV dump stations and those that do sometimes charge a small fee for using them. Some gas stations provide a complimentary dumping station, as do occasional travel centers and rest stops. Sometimes, however, you may decide to dump the RV tanks at home. It may be very convenient, but there are several very important factors that have to be considered.
Do Drains Matter?
Absolutely! There is a huge difference between a sewer and a storm drain. A sewer transports household liquified waste to the public sewer treatment system or your private septic system. As a matter of practice, there isn’t much difference between emptying your waste tanks into the city sewers or a residential septic tank, and both are completely suitable for this purpose.
Storm drains are completely different and should never be used when discarding RV waste. These conduct rainwater from the ground’s surface to waterways (creeks, canals, streams, rivers, or lakes) without undergoing any treatment. It is irresponsible and illegal to dump human waste or other harmful chemicals into waterways.
Is it Legal for You?
It’s always a good idea for new RVers to call the city before you do this at home the first time. It takes only a moment to ask if there are any local ordinances or local laws you should consider before you introduce the contents of your RV tanks into the municipal sewer line.
After all, everything in your tanks, solid waste, toilet paper, and everything from the kitchen sink will end up in the public sewage system. Not all municipalities allow you to dump RV tanks at home. You definitely need to know that BEFORE you make plans to do so.
What will the Neighbors Think?
Be considerate of your neighborhood when you empty your black water tank. It usually is a complete non-issue, because any foul odor usually lasts only moments,.
Nevertheless, think of how you might react if you got a hearty whiff of stench from their side of the fence. Just make sure they aren’t barbecuing on their patio or the kids aren’t jumping on the trampoline during the few minutes you have the valves open.
A quick text or phone call to make sure they know when you are draining raw sewage. Or plan on going through the process when you know few people will be outside.
Are All Tanks Equal?
It’s important to keep the two types of holding tanks in mind- grey water tanks and black water tanks. The RV toilet empties into the black tank, which is pure raw sewage.
Gray water tanks contain food particles from the kitchen sink and soapy water from the shower and lavatory. I always drain the black tank first and then the gray tank next.
A little gray water helps rinse the black water from the flex line and other equipment if done properly. Plus, it won’t require as much clean water to rinse everything off when you’re done.
One note, I flush a little Rid X Septic Tank Treatment into my black tank after I clean it. The enzymes and beneficial bacteria in this product process some of the waste matter and ultimately keep everything more sanitary and reduces odors.
Sewer Hookup / Septic Tank Method
The easiest way to empty RV tanks is to drain them into your home’s residential sewer system’s sewer cleanout. Remove the cap to the sewer cleanout pipe at the ground level.
Rest assured, the wastewater will not be able to flow into your house, because the drain line is buried at a steep angle, or pitch, which ensures gravity will pull the liquid away from the house and toward the municipal drain or septic tank.
The access port cap will be somewhere between the house and the city. (This sewer connection is where plumbers can clear clogs in the drain when needed.) This is usually a round, white, PVC, 5-inch diameter cap that screws into (not around) the access port.
Portable Waste Tank Method / Bucket Method
This is more unpleasant, but effective. What do you do when you are boondocking and don’t have access to public sewer systems or a septic tank? You can drain into a portable tank or even a large bucket.
Use care because everything you drain has to ultimately end up in wastewater treatment plants of one type or another, and you’ll have to close it off to prohibit sloshing and spilling, plus you will have to load it into a pickup or other vehicle to transport to an appropriate dump site.
All Methods
Your flex RV sewer hose has to be long enough to reach from your RV’s drain gate to the sewage opening. If it doesn’t reach, you may add sections until you have sufficient length.
On the rig side, we recommend you use the Rhino Blaster with a gate valve. This will allow you to flush the tank from the outside of your cleanout with a designated black water hose until all waste matter is dislodged and drained. (Most people use an ordinary garden hose for this.)
Then, on the sewage end of your flex hose, use a clear elbow to plug into the drain port. Initially, there will be some hydraulic pressure when you open the gate valve and release the black tank valve or grey water tank.
When the liquid is through flowing, either run water through your Rhino Blaster from the outside or you can run several gallons of water into the bottom of the tank. If you don’t use a blaster, use the RV’s interior water sources- the lavatory, shower, or toilet, from the fresh water tank and repeat the drainage process until the wastewater flows clear.
Conclusion
Stay safe, stay sanitary, and enjoy your RV life. Most RV owners are surprised at how much waste we create when we start the RV life, but it doesn’t take a long time for us to fix our problems.
The best solution for you may not be my best option, but a little bit of ingenuity will add to your quality of experience. But, for some people, dumping their RV tank at home gives them added flexibility and may be a good option for them.
Thank You For Reading About How to Dump RV Tanks at Home
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