Many RV owners, especially those who are new to the lifestyle, will run into some sort of a holding tank issue, whether it be a pyramid plug, a compacted tank, or a blocked line. Of all of these types of clogs, however, a blocked line can be the most deceptive.
A blocked RV sewer line is relatively uncommon, but it can be difficult to diagnose as it is often mistaken for a pyramid plug. But the good news is that a blocked RV sewer line is normally much easier to fix than a pyramid plug, and it’s much less serious!
A blocked line occurs when solid waste (normally toilet paper) starts to build up in the pipe between your RV toilet and your black water holding tank. This can eventually clog the entire waste pipe, causing a backup all the way to the toilet! Blocked lines normally occur in RVs where the toilet isn’t directly over the holding tank. We often see this in 5th Wheels. It is also common in RVs that have complex plumbing, like bends and turns in the pipes (a line with a 90 degree elbow, for example) between the toilet and the holding tank. Toilet paper can tend to build up at these elbows and cause issues. As we’ll cover below, a blocked RV sewer line is pretty easy to prevent by using proper RV holding tank maintenance.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything there is to know about blocked RV waste pipes plus how to fix and prevent them!
Like we mentioned, a clogged RV sewer line is often confused with a pyramid plug or the other way around. But there are some concrete steps to take that will help you to know if you’re dealing with a blocked line as opposed to a pyramid plug.
After you've gone through this diagnoses, does it seem like this ISN'T your problem? Read here to diagnose if you have one of the other common tank clogs and learn how to solve it!
If you believe you have a blocked line instead of a pyramid plug, then you’re in luck: A blocked line is easier to remove than a pyramid plug—although probably no less gross! Follow the steps below to remove your clog.
Guide Continued Below
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As we mentioned earlier, a clogged RV sewer line is relatively uncommon, but it still happens occasionally, and the best way to prevent it is to follow the right care procedures as laid out in The Unique Method.
The best way to prevent a blocked line is to use ample amounts of water in your toilet and tank! This is integral to The Unique Method, and it will help keep your line free from excess toilet paper and debris that could build up in the elbows of your RV waste plumbing.
As The Unique Method states:
Another way to make sure that you don’t get a blocked line is to keep your toilet paper use to a minimum. Yes, use as much as you need, but try to stay away from excessive amounts of toilet paper flushed down the toilet all at once! This can cause an unwanted clog!
We hope that this guide has helped you to understand how to unclog an RV sewer line! Blocked lines are quite uncommon, but still a frustration! Thankfully, they’re pretty easy to prevent if you follow the right care procedures—as The Unique Method lays out!
As you know, after reading this guide, there are other types of tank clogs besides a blocked line: a pyramid plug and a compacted tank. We mentioned above how a pyramid plug is often confused with a blocked line, but we never covered a compacted tank. To learn more about these clogs and how to fix them, check out our very thorough article, Unclogging An RV Toilet!
If you have any questions that aren’t answered in this guide, please feel free to reach out to us at support@uniquemm.com! We’d love to help you solve your issue and get back on the road clog-and-odor free!
Many people may wonder, “Is a tank flush really that necessary?”. We recommend that you thoroughly flush out your black water holding tank for 20-30 minutes every 3-5 dumps.