Posted 2007-08-18 7:57 AM (#66043) Subject: Smelly septic in LQ
Regular
Posts: 63 Location: Missouri
Help please!
I have a very small trailer with small LQ...4 ft short wall. I have a shower toilet combo and I'm having a hard time keeping the septic from smelling. I dump it and it still smells. Is there anything to be done? And yes, I'm putting the septic "stuff" in it after every dump and that doesn't seem to be helping. Thanks, Natalee
Posted 2007-08-18 8:18 AM (#66046 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
You'll never keep the septic contents from "smelling" That's the nature of the stuff. You have a leak. The septic gases are getting into your LQ somehow. Either the potty seal isn't or you have a broken pipe.
On a side question, Does your trailer have a vent for the black water tank ? Is it clear/open/functioning?
Posted 2007-08-18 8:23 AM (#66048 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by Saddlebredlover on 2007-08-18 7:57 AM
Help please!
I have a very small trailer with small LQ...4 ft short wall. I have a shower toilet combo and I'm having a hard time keeping the septic from smelling. I dump it and it still smells. Is there anything to be done? And yes, I'm putting the septic "stuff" in it after every dump and that doesn't seem to be helping. Thanks, Natalee
Hum...are you using ENOUGH of the blue stuff? Are you FLUSHING the tank out after you dump it? Are you using quick dissolve TP...such as Scots?
One thing that I have learned this year...from using my RV, is that you do not dump your tank until they are FULL. Now...that doesn't mean you can dump it after each weekend. It just means that you FILL your tank with water to make sure that it's full before dumping. Another suggestion that RV'ers gave me is too fill my tank with water BEFORE I leave camp. Drive home with it full, this way it slouches everything around and help tp break stuff down.
I do not put solids into my tank...for that I walk to the camp potty. Doing this...helps with cleaning and odor control.
Other tricks that I have learned from RV'ers. After you clean it, dump the blue stuff into it and then...pour some Calogon Softener into the bowl and tank, this help to keep things from sticking to the sides.
If you think that your tank may have junk stuck to the bottom, after you dump it...fill it half way with water, then dump some ice into the tank (about 10-15 lbs) top it off with water....take a drive on a curvy road so that the ice scrapes the sides of the tank and this will scrap junk off the sides.
The biggest way to prevent junk from sticking to the sides and bottom is to use LOTS of water !! This helps to keep things from sticking on the bottom and sides.
If it still continues to smell, you may want to have it professional cleaned at an RV shop. Good luck!
Posted 2007-08-18 8:58 AM (#66050 - in reply to #66048) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Expert
Posts: 2615
After we dump our black tank,we add about 1/2 bottle of Liquid Lemon Joy for dishes.Then add water so that on the way to the storage shed,and,on the way to our next camp,it will slosh around the sides.Be sure to add the correct amount of RV dissolver.
Posted 2007-08-18 5:58 PM (#66064 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Regular
Posts: 92 Location: iowa
I learned the same way you are, had a terrible smell, what happened is not enough water and if you drive a few miles from camp then try to find someplace to dump on way home, once stuff sloshes around a little it will all come out. If you have help, you can fill tank with a garden hose draped in thru LQ into toilet, spray and fill tank as much as you can then drain, may take a couple times but it will come out.
Posted 2007-08-18 9:42 PM (#66078 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 500 Location: West TN
We always put a few bags of ice in ours with a little water as soon as we dump and hit the road home. The ice sloshing around agitates it enough to help it come loose. It has helped us with the toilet paper sticking to the bottom (and we only use the RV paper).
Posted 2007-08-19 8:27 AM (#66092 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 303 Location: Grapeland, Texas
They also make a deal you can attach to your hose that has holes on the side where the water comes out and washes the sides of the holding tank. Comes in handy. I think I got mine at Wal-Mart.
Posted 2007-08-21 1:48 AM (#66179 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Veteran
Posts: 189 Location: nashville, In.
Here are a few tricks I have learned. Don't skimp on the water when you flush, it needs the water or all you have is.."stuff" down there!!
I have a little waste basket that has a lid that I put all my paper in. I foumd some little bags for diapers that are scented that fit and then I empty it each night.
My RV guy said to put some Dawn dish soap in it on the way home with some water in the tank. This will help with keeping the sencors clean. Do this after you dump of course.
Camping World has some really great things to help with this problem. The wand someone suggested and other things. A cover to put over your dump pipe that has holes in it to let the tank air out and dry. Many other things found there.
Posted 2007-08-21 1:57 AM (#66180 - in reply to #66043) Subject: RE: Smelly septic in LQ
Veteran
Posts: 189 Location: nashville, In.
One other suggestion is to do a search on this site. type in "black water tank" and chose subject and body in all forums and you will find LOTS of info!! Happy reading............
Smelly septic in LQ
