Camping in your RV can be a lot of fun and relieve a lot of the logistics pressure off of you. However, there are also a lot of moving parts to make this happen and making sure the whole RV is functioning properly and regularly cared for is going to need to be a priority between trips so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re trying to enjoy yourself. One such area is your water system. It’s a complicated system, but with diligence and the right information, you can make caring for it much easier. RV Station Colbert has provided a guide to cleaning your grey water tank to help you break down one aspect of this process, but if you need help for the rest, contact our service station in Colbert, Oklahoma. We also serve Sherman and McKinney, Texas.
What is a Grey Water Tank?
Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s take a step back and make sure everyone is on the same page. Your RV’s water system has a lot of complex, moving parts, although for our purposes, it’s actually relatively simple.
There are three ways to break down the liquids that move through your system. You have your fresh water that supplies all water to the RV, and then there are two areas where wastewater is disposed. Black water tanks are strictly for sewage. Anything else, like sink water, shower water, and water from your dishwasher if you have one, goes to the gray water tank, which is where we’ll be focusing today.
Dumping the Tank
Now that we know where we are, it’s time to start the cleaning process. First, you’ll want to dump the existing contents, no matter how empty it may be. Note: all tanks should be emptied when they’re full, and for the grey water tank, “full” means 75% (luckily, most tanks come with their own monitor, so you won’t have to open it up to check).
Start by pouring dish detergent down the drain and wash it down with hot water for a couple minutes. If you really want to get a good slosh going, consider driving your camper around for a little bit. Then, go to your nearest dump site and hook up your grey water tank to the dump hole using a sewer hose. Open the valve and allow the tank to empty. As one final touch, add a chemical treatment product to prevent buildup and avoid odors.
Cleaning the Tank
Don’t remove the hose yet, as it’s time to clean the tank. Run fresh water through the tank for a while, and then you can disconnect. Follow up with a little more treatment and you should be good to go.
If you’re cleaning all three tanks, then don’t start with the grey water tank. It’s better to start with the black water tank and work your way up the clean scale to the freshwater tank. This is so you can simultaneously clean your sewage hose.
Finally, keep in mind that the methane from your grey water tank is considered a source of pollution. Any leaks, regardless of how intentional they may be, can lead to hefty fees. That’s why you’ll want to regularly check that all valves are closed while you’re moving around and to limit all dumps to a dump site, rather than in the ground.
While this probably isn’t going to be your favorite part on your RV to clean, it’s an important part of everyday life for you, so making sure everything is running smoothly is going to be very important. That’s why we’re ready to answer all questions you may have about your RV.
This information is for educational purposes. VIARV shall not be responsible nor retain liability for RVer’s use of the provided information. Prior to making any RV service decision, you are advised to consult with an RV professional.