More and more people have opted to take the roads with their families in Recreational Vehicles or RVs. It seems that every day is a memorable adventure as you go cruise around knowing that you have with you the second version of all the comforts and even luxuries you get and enjoy at home. You have a little living room, kitchen, sleeping area, and most importantly, a toilet for all those hygienic essentials. Some have their air conditioning systems up too.
One of the critical parts of an RV is the toilet. You must go the needed lengths just to ensure that it is in tip-top shape and working. You can spare the air conditioner and the satellite receptors but if your toilet starts to smell when you flush it then you better drop everything and get it resolved. No negotiations needed.
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RV Toilets Smell When Flushed: What Happened?
Source: wisepick.org
When your toilet smells, it radiates through the entire space of your trailer which is not good. Nobody wants to have gross musty and toilet smell so it’s time for you to check the following potentials culprits why your toilet is making its presence known.
- Deep cleaning is required – perhaps you have been pre-occupied with the highs of RV life and forgot a good scrubbing and disinfecting of your toilet? Wiping and spraying down the toilet bowl and the toilet seat is not enough to keep the bad odor and the bacteria away. Deep cleaning with all the powerful disinfectants, bleach, or your preferred home cleaning weapons should be done frequently.
- Toilet leak – your toilet smelling bad after flushing might also be caused by a toilet leak which is one of the most common issues for RV owners. If you see a little trickle or a wet spot after flushing then make sure you scout every area and address the leaking part. If there is a leak in your toilet system, all forms of gas, liquid, and gas seep out and spread.
- Tank damage – your RVs black tank plays a huge role in keeping everything like the content and smell of your toilet system to be controlled. You must take care of this unit. Imagine all the content of your tank so you cannot afford to have even the tiniest crack or the smallest hole in your black tank.
- Clogs and Built-Up – toilets being clogged by non-RV tissue papers and other things that are not supposed to go down the drain can also contribute to a bad smell when the toilet was flushed. Clogs help keep the waste and the water from flowing through the pipes of your RV so if something is stuck within the tubes, the smell would linger since it cannot pass through seamlessly.
What to Do RV Toilets Smell When Flushed
Source: rvrepairclub.com
Fear not, because there are fixes that can be applied to get rid of that disgusting RV sewer smell. Yes, calling in the professionals to the rescue is also an option but some solutions can also be made by you.
- Check and clean thoroughly – do not just focus on the bowl and the toilet seat. You also must check the flapper of your toilet. This important part acts as the stopper which will let the waste flow out when you flash. It is inside the toilet tank and it can be easily identified by the chain that lifts it when the flush lever is pressed. Yes, this one doesn’t encounter any of the waste but it can still grimy since it is always submerged. If algae and mineral build-up to happen on your flapper’s suction, it may cause water to slowly leak, and leak means odor. Cleaning the flapper can help tick off possible sources of the bad smell.
- Unclog the blocks – a clog can happen anywhere in your toilet pipe and unclogging it might be a real challenge as it might require you to get down, dirty, and smelly. It would be highly recommended to always have a plunger onboard for those nasty stuck. Another alternative would be a toilet auger or a plumbing snake. If these tools don’t work, you can always opt for the traditional but still the most effective solution of pouring down pots of boiling water down the toilet. Once you get rid of those blocks, your water, wastes, and anything between can have an uninterrupted journey down the black tank.
- Use proper products – in a normal household, the tissue is almost always the culprit of clogs. For RV users, there is a dedicated tissue paper that you should use. This type is easier to break down and flushed to the black tank. RV friendly toilet paper also biodegrades in the tank. It will help to ensure that the pipes are free of any obstruction that can cause waste and water to flow back and forth and eventually clog up the system.
- Treat your tank – you should extend any help you can to your holding tank or black tank. There are available deodorizers that can help with the odor. Drop-in liquids or powder formulas are also alternative solutions that you can use to aid your tank help break down waste faster. Any help that your black tank receives from you can help it do its job better.
- Clear the vents – here is another quick fix that most of RV users miss. RVs have a venting system to help control the toilet smells but the vent or pipe can also be clogged. Since this one is usually overlooked, RV users may find out a little too late because the damage has been done. You may find insects, wasps, dirt, and cobwebs so be negatively impacting the circulation system of vents. Leaves, animal nests, and other wastes can also cause blockage and some disgusting smell if left unattended. Regular checking of your vents should be part of your maintenance routine.
Source: thewaywardhome.com
Overall, maintaining your R toilet system is almost a daily task. You don’t wait until something smells before you start checking. Preventive maintenance is always recommended and it just takes a few minutes of your time. Keeping your toilet and whole RV good smelling is one contributor to a happy journey.
