No one likes having to fix a toilet clog at home, much less unclogging an RV toilet where your only recourse if you can’t fix it may be the campground outhouse or worse…an ant-infested log.
You’ll be happy to know that we get calls from dozens of RVers (even seasoned pros) every single week who are struggling with how to unclog an RV toilet, so you’re not alone.
In this guide we’ll give you all the information, tips, and resources you need to diagnose and fix any RV toilet clog.
Key Points About RV Toilet Clogs
- Clogged RV toilets are generally caused by pyramid plugs, compacted black tanks, or blocked toilet lines.
- Before attempting to clear your clogged RV toilet, start by determining what type of clog you have, because each type of clog requires a different process to fix.
- Sometimes, misreading sensors can incorrectly indicate that you have a clog, when in reality all you need to do is clean and restore them to get things back in order.
- RV toilet clogs are almost 100% preventable if you follow the rules outlined in The Unique Method and use the bio-enzymatic products like Unique Clear-It black tank unclogger.
What to Do When You Have a Clogged RV Toilet?
Well, first of all, don’t panic! Most RV clogs can be cleared easily with a few simple procedures.
If your RV toilet gets clogged, do the following:
- Stop using the RV toilet, and use bathroom facilities at campgrounds, parks, and truck stops until you’ve fixed the problem.
- Determine the type of clog you have with our helpful diagnostic tips.
- Clear the clog using the gold standard combination of water and a high quality, bacteria-and-enzyme based RV toilet unclogger and treatment.
- Time is a key factor for clearing clogged RV toilets, so don’t expect an immediate fix — understanding that it may take a day or two can help you set the right expectations and plan accordingly.
In the following section, we’ll help you diagnose what is causing your clogged RV toilet.
Determine What Type of Clog You Have in Your RV
There are three primary types of RV toilet clogs: pyramid plugs, compacted tanks, and blocked toilet lines.
Learn: What Kind of RV Toilet Clog Do I Have?
Next, we’ll cover a little bit about each of these clogs so you understand how they occur and how to diagnose which type you’re dealing with.
1. Pyramid Plugs
Pyramid plugs develop slowly over time as waste and toilet paper build up into a pyramid shape right below the RV toilet line. When this occurs, the poop pyramid can become so large that it completely blocks off the pipe – preventing anything else from being added into the black water tank.
2. Compacted Tanks
Plugged black tanks typically occur when waste, toilet paper, and debris accumulate, and harden, at the bottom of the black water tank. When this happens, solid waste blocks the exit and nothing can flush out of the tank when the black tank valve is opened.
3. Blocked Toilet Lines
Clogged toilet lines usually occur in RVs when too much paper and waste is flushed, without using enough water. These clogs occur because bends and joints in plumbing and sewer pipes can easily become clogged with waste and toilet paper, creating a blockage.
Unclog Your RV Toilet With Our Step-by-Step Instructions
Once you’ve determined what’s causing your clogged RV toilet, the next step is actually fixing the problem. Below we’ve compiled the most crucial information about how to deal with the most common RV toilet clogs.
Getting Rid of RV Pyramid Plugs
For full instructions on how to deal with pyramid plugs in your RV, read our guide:
- Make sure you are dealing with an RV pyramid plug prior to cleaning it, as other clogs require different methods to fix them.
- You’ll need a high-quality, bacteria- and enzyme-based cleaner like Unique Clear-It to break up the pyramid.
- If the pyramid is fully blocking the pipe that connects the RV toilet to the black water tank, then you may need a section of ½” PEX pipe, or a toilet snake, to manually break holes into the pyramid plug.
- Clogs in black water plumbing systems, including pyramid plugs, require plenty of water and time to resolve.
Clearing Compacted RV Black Tanks
For full instructions on how to deal with a compacted black tank, read our guide:
How to Unclog a Compacted RV Black Tank
- Make sure that you have a compacted RV black water tank before you start the process of clearing it – other clogs require different methods to fix.
- Misreading sensors can sometimes falsely indicate that you have a clog, when you actually don’t.
- Unclogging a black water holding tank is as simple as letting a full tank of water and a high-quality, bio-enzymatic treatment, like Unique Clear-It, work on breaking down the clog for several days until you’re able to dump the tank.
- Stubborn clogs may require repeating the treatment process a few times before being fully cleared.
Unclogging Blocked RV Toilet Lines
For full instructions about how to clear blocked toilet lines, read our guide:
- Make sure you are dealing with a clogged RV toilet line prior to cleaning it, as other clogs require alternate methods to resolve them.
- You may be able to unclog the toilet line with a toilet plunger. We recommend this one.
- For stubborn clogs in black water plumbing systems, particularly those in hard-to-reach places, you’ll need a premium, bacteria- and enzyme-based cleaner like Unique Clear-It to break up the clog.
- Clogs in black water plumbing systems, including RV toilet lines, require plenty of water and time to resolve.
How to Fix Misreading Sensors in RV Holding Tanks
For full details about why sensors misread and how to fix them, read our guide:
How to Clean and Restore RV Holding Tank Sensors
- Black water tank sensors misread when waste and toilet paper become caked onto the sensors and gray sensors misread because they become layered with grease and oils.
- Cleaning black tank sensors is an easy process using Restore-It; repeating the process may be necessary to remove stubborn waste from the sensors.
- Cleaning grey tank sensors is an easy process using grease-eating Dawn Ultra dish soap.
- Cleaning sensors in your combo tank depends on how you’re using it; you may need to try both the black and gray sensor cleaning processes.
- When sensors still misread after multiple cleanings, they may have mineral deposits on them or the wiring that connects the sensor may be damaged. In both cases, the sensors will need to be replaced to read accurately.
How to Prevent Clogged RV Toilets
Ultimately, the goal is to avoid clogged RV toilets altogether — and this is a completely achievable goal with a few changes to your camping habits and maintenance projects.
The best way to avoid RV toilet clogs, foul odors, and misreading sensors is with The Unique Method, a tried-and-tested set of easy-to-follow guidelines designed to help you avoid 99% of wastewater issues before they occur.
Video: How to Avoid Clogs in Your RV Holding Tanks
Guide: How to Prevent Clogged Black Tanks in Your RV
Clogged Toilet? We Can Help!
We've helped thousands of RVers unclog their toilets and tanks and we can help you too! Whats better is that we have all the tips and tricks we've used over the years organized in one easy, free downloadable PDF!
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