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We've all experienced a toilet clog at home. Even a simple plunge is something no one ever wants to deal with. In an RV, clogs can form into a whole other shape of annoying, specifically the shape of a pyramid. Yes, the name pyramid plug is an accurately descriptive name. It's a type of RV toilet clog that is a typical problem for hook-up campers who leave their black water valve open, even on an occasional basis. In this guide, we'll describe exactly what a pyramid plug is, how it forms, and will provide resources so you can diagnose and unclog your RV holding if it ever becomes a problem.
A pyramid plug is literally a pyramid of poop and toilet paper that builds up right underneath your toilet line. This usually happens when hook-up campers leave their black water valve open thinking all the waste will automatically flow right into the sewer. The problem is that most RVs have a relatively flat-bottomed black tank; if the black valve is open, any liquid that is added trickles out leaving a nearly dry tank, which means solid waste that is added starts piling up right under the toilet line. Because there’s no liquid in the tank, the solid waste has no way to easily slide out of a flat-bottomed tank. Toilet paper mixed in with the solid waste acts as a binding agent and helps the pile stay intact so that it continues building higher and higher until it is touching the toilet line and blocking the addition of anything (even liquid) to the tank.
Clearing pyramid plugs doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful when using a bacteria and enzyme treatment (like Unique RV Digest-It), but you need to be sure about exactly what kind of clog you have. Sometimes you don't have a pyramid plug at all; a blocked toilet line shares the same symptoms, but there are different unclogging steps to take depending on the type of clog.
You may think you have a pyramid plug, but as we said above, a blocked toilet line shares the same symptoms as a pyramid plug and requires a different method for clearing it. Use the diagnosis tool below to confirm you have a pyramid plug or determine you have a different problem.
Add water to your black tank through your RV toilet bowl.
So you are sure that you have a pyramid plug and are wondering what you can do to get rid of it? When you use our easy-to-follow steps and Unique Tank Cleaner, clearing a pyramid plug is not complicated or stressful. Refer to the Clearing a Pyramid Plug section in the Clearing RV Toilet Clogs guide. And as always, if you are having trouble resolving your RV toilet clog issue after following our guide, contact us any time and we will help you unclog your RV black water tank!
Prevention of any type of RV toilet clog starts with following The Unique Method, our proven process for caring for RV holding tanks. It is a 50/50 approach that requires 50 percent the right care habits and 50 percent the right products. We always recommend using Unique products because they were developed with The Unique Method in mind, meaning you will get the best possible results when you pair our method with our products. The most important things you can do to prevent pyramid plugs is:
Of course, if you are experiencing a clog right now, we invite you to check out our Clearing RV Toilet Clogs guide to restore your RV toilet to full functionality and be ready for your next outdoor adventure!
Guide: Preventing Clogs in Your RV Holding Tank
Guide: Why It's Crucial to Keep Your RV Black Water Valve Closed
Guide: Why Using Lots of Water in Your RV Toilet and Holding Tanks is Crucial
Pyramid plugs don’t have to be that thing you fear while enjoying your RV if you just remember a few things from this article:
You bought your RV so you could enjoy life and spend time with family and friends. The last thing you want to do is waste precious time and money on fixing wastewater holding tank problems. Keeping your tanks in peak operating condition doesn’t have to be hard, confusing, or expensive if you follow our proven process: The Unique Method.
The Unique Method is a comprehensive tank care plan that we developed after years of conversations with real customers facing real problems. The Unique Method provides you with simple, preventative steps to stop odors, clogs, and sensor problems before they start so you can spend less time worrying about your holding tanks and more time enjoying the freedom and adventure of RVing. Try it yourself and see why thousands of campers trust their RVs with The Unique Method every day.
If you need more help with anything covered in this guide or simply have a comment, we’re here to help you anytime!
