You flush the toilet, but nothing goes down. Instead, waste starts backing up into the bowl, unpleasant odors fill the RV, and you realize your RV black tank stopped up at the worst possible time.
If the culprit is a pyramid plug, commonly referred to as a poop pyramid, you may have a hardened mound of waste that has formed directly beneath the RV toilet. Pyramid plugs are some of the most common, and most dreaded, RV plumbing problems.
In this article, we’re going to teach you what causes RV pyramid plugs, provide step-by-step instructions about how to get rid of poop pyramids, and demonstrate how to prevent clogged RV black tanks in the future.
Key Points About Getting Rid of RV Pyramid Plugs
- Pyramid plugs, or poop pyramids, are the most common type of RV toilet clog, and are often caused by leaving the black tank valve open.
- Pyramid plugs and clogged RV toilet lines share some of the same symptoms, so it’s important to accurately identify which clog you have before taking action.
- Poop pyramids can be cleared with a high-quality, bacteria- and enzyme-based cleaner like Unique Clear-It that is specifically designed to break up clogs and pyramid plugs in RV black tanks.
- You can prevent pyramid plugs by following the easy-to-follow steps outlined in The Unique Method, a tried-and-tested process designed to help you prevent 99% of wastewater issues before they occur.
What is an RV Pyramid Plug?
One of the most common causes of clogged black tanks in an RV are pyramid plugs.
A pyramid plug occurs when poop and toilet paper build up inside your RV black tank and form a hardened, pyramid-shaped mound below your RV’s toilet line.
Sometimes, pyramid plugs can grow so large that they block off the pipe from the RV toilet, preventing anything else from being added to the black water tank. When this happens, it can make it impossible to flush anything down the toilet, cause toilet back ups into the RV, and generally make a frustrating and disgusting mess.
Learn more by reading our guide: What is an RV Pyramid Plug?
What Causes Pyramid Plugs to Happen in RV Black Tanks?
Pyramid plugs generally develop over time as toilet paper and waste accumulate into a pyramid shape right below the RV toilet line
The most common reason pyramid plugs develop is when hook-up campers leave their black water tank valves open.
When the black water tank valve is left open, it’s true that all of the liquid flows out as expected, but the waste and toilet paper are often left behind on the relatively flat-bottomed black water tank that most RVs have. This problem can be compounded if the RV is not properly leveled at each campsite.
Waste and toilet paper that are allowed to bind together and stack on top of each other can form a poop pyramid. When left unchecked, the pyramid plug can grow so large that it blocks the pipe from the RV toilet to the black tank, creating the pyramid plug.
Before You Try to Unclog Your RV Black Tank
Before you try to get rid of your pyramid plug, it’s important to diagnose the type of black tank clog you’re dealing with. It’s important to note that several types of RV clogs share the same symptoms.
Most commonly, pyramid plugs are confused with blockages in the toilet line because they share one critical symptom: water pools in the RV toilet bowl because the clog prevents water from reaching the black water tank.
If you aren’t sure if you’re dealing with a pyramid plug, make sure to review our guide: 3 Common Types of RV Toilet Clogs You Should Know About
If after fully diagnosing the clog you determine you have a blocked toilet line, or a blockage in your black water plumbing, please refer to our guide: How to Unclog a Blocked RV Toilet Line
Steps to Get Rid of an RV Pyramid Plug:
If you’ve confirmed that a pyramid plug is clogging your RV black tank it can be really stressful, especially if you think you’ve been doing everything right.
The good news is that following our RV tech’s easy-to-follow steps and using Unique Clear-It can help you unclog your black tank and get back on the road with relatively low effort.
Step 1. Turn off your RV’s fresh water supply.
Step 2. Look down the RV toilet with a flashlight to check for buildup.
Check to see if the clog is completely blocking the 3 inch pipe that connects the RV’s toilet to the black water tank.
- If the pipe IS completely blocked, proceed to Step 3.
- If the pipe IS NOT completely blocked, proceed to Step 4.
Step 3. Use ½” PEX pipe to break holes in the top of the poop pyramid.
You can use a section of PEX pipe, or a toilet snake, and run it down the toilet to create holes in the top of the pyramid plug.
Create as many holes in the poop pyramid as possible so that you will be able to fill the tank with the maximum amount of water and treatment, allowing them to begin breaking down the clog.
If you have an on-board black water tank rinsing system, you can also use it to add additional water to the black water tank (after poking holes in the waste), allowing the treatment to break down the pyramid more effectively.
Step 4. Pour one entire bottle of Clear-It into the RV toilet bowl.
Once you pour the bottle of Clear-It into the RV toilet bowl, hold down the flush pedal so that all of the product can flow into the clog.
The goal here is to allow as much water and tank treatment into the clog as possible, enabling the clearing process to begin. The more you can fill the black tank with water, the better.
Step 5. Allow the RV black tank unclogger to sit in the tank for as long as possible.
Make sure to let the Clear-It work for at least 48-72 hours before dumping the tank.
Depending on the size of the pyramid plug, it could take several days for the treatment to fully break down the pyramid. Clear-It will not damage tank components, so feel free to let it sit in the tank for days or weeks! The more time, the better.
Step 6. Use your flashlight to look down the RV toilet again.
Check your black tank to see how well the pyramid plug is being broken down.
If the pyramid plug still looks large when you check on it after 72 hours, try poking more holes into it and adding more water to the black tank.
Step 7. After 72 hours or more, dump your RV black tank to confirm the poop pyramid has been removed.
After dumping, check to make sure that water is able to successfully flow into your black tank.
Step 8. Thoroughly rinse your RV’s black tank to remove lingering debris.
Our preferred method of rinsing is filling your black tank completely full with clean water, and then dumping the contents. Repeat this 1 to 2 times to most effectively rinse your black tank.
Important Note: Occasionally, as you break down and rinse out the pyramid plug it is possible for waste that has broken free to create a secondary blockage. If this occurs, you’ll need to restart the cleaning process and repeat steps 4-7 again.
Step 9. After clearing the RV black tank clog and rinsing your tank, close your black tank valve.
Step 10. Turn your RV’s fresh water supply back on.
Still Struggling? We Can Help.
If you’ve followed the entire process above and are still experiencing issues, please reach out to our incredible Customer Support Team. Our team of experts are happy to help you fix problems and get your tanks back on track.
What Not to Do When Fixing a Poop Pyramid
There is a lot of RV community advice that stems from good intentions, but can actually make a pyramid plug or black tank clog worse.
When dealing with an RV pyramid plug, DON’T:
- Leave Black Tank Valve Open: This is the primary cause of RV black tank pyramid clogs.
- Ignore the Problem: Every flush adds more waste to the poop pyramid, making it harder, larger, and more difficult to clear.
- Use Harsh Chemicals: Chemicals like Bleach or Drano kill beneficial bacteria needed to break down waste effectively and can damage dump valve rubber seals.
- Waste Your Time With Viral Techniques: Avoid DIY methods like the Ice & Driving technique and The Geo Method (Calgon & Dawn dish soap). These methods are either completely ineffective or potentially harmful.
When to Call An RV Tech for a Pyramid Plug
Sometimes a pyramid plug or other black tank clog can be so severe that it’s time to call in the experts.
If you experience any of the following problems, stop trying to fix the problem yourself and call an RV professional:
- Severe blockage or time constraints: If after 72 hours the blockage has not improved, or if you don’t have time to wait to clear the clog, you may need to rely on professional cleaning.
- Liquid and waste is backing up into the RV: When wastewater is backing up to the top of the toilet bowl with nowhere else to go it can be a serious health hazard.
- Broken or stuck black tank gate valve: The external pull-valve is jammed, broken off, or disconnected, meaning the tank cannot be drained even if the clog breaks down, requiring repair or full replacement.
- Leaking or cracked RV black tank: The pressure or weight of the compacted pyramid has warped or cracked the black water tank or its fittings, and cannot be addressed with DIY methods.
How to Prevent RV Pyramid Plugs With The Unique Method
The best way to prevent pyramid plugs in your black tank is with The Unique Method. Specifically designed with easy-to-follow steps, this process has been proven to help RVers get the most out of their camping experiences without clogs, foul odors, and misreading sensors.
Applying the right process (The Unique Method) and using the right products (High-Quality, Bacteria + Enzyme Based Products) will prevent the majority of your problems before they occur, allowing you to enjoy your RVing adventures, clog-free.
The following are key techniques that will help you prevent pyramid plugs as outlined by The Unique Method.
1. Keep Your RV Black Water Tank Valve Closed
Unless you are actively dumping your tank, you should keep your black tank valve closed.
Leaving your black water tank valve open is one of the fastest ways to develop pyramid plugs.
Important Note: You may be one of the lucky campers that has left your black water tank valve open without experiencing any issues. But after working with hundreds of RVers to address clogs, we can confidently tell you that it’s only a matter of time before your luck runs out. We strongly recommend that you change this practice while you’re still ahead.
Learn More: Why It’s Crucial to Keep Your RV Black Water Valve Closed
2. Use High-Quality, Bacteria-Based RV Black Tank Treatment
To prevent pyramid plugs that clog RV toilets and black tanks, you want to ensure all of the waste and toilet paper in your holding tanks are broken down and liquified.
The best way to achieve this is to regularly use a high-quality, bacteria+enzyme based holding tank treatment, like Unique RV Digest-It Ultra. This treatment is so effective because aerobic bacteria break down waste without leaving behind residue or byproducts, don’t harm tank components and seals, and tackle odors at the source (rather than masking them).
Learn More: Why You Should Use a High-Quality Waste Digester in Your RV
3. Use Plenty of Water in RV Black Tanks
Water is the most important thing you can add to your black water holding tank because it is crucial for preventing pyramid plugs and acts as a natural odor barrier.
Two places where you should always use plenty of water in your RV:
- Toilet Bowl: Keep a small amount of water in your toilet bowl at all times (unless driving) to prevent tank odors from escaping into your RV living space.
- Black Tank: Always hold down your flush pedal for 10 seconds every time you use your toilet. Not only does this provide a vapor barrier, but it also prevents pyramid plugs and compacted tanks by softening the waste, moving lingering debris away from the bottom of the toilet, and preventing it from clinging to the walls and floor of the tank.
Learn More: Why Using Lots of Water in Your RV Toilet and Tanks is Crucial
4. Rinse Your RV Black Tank After Every Dump
As a best practice, we recommend thoroughly rinsing your black tank after every dump.
Our preferred method of rinsing is filling your black tank completely full with clean water, and then dumping the contents. Repeat this 1 to 2 times to most effectively rinse your black tank.
The only way to be sure you’ve drained all the remaining waste out is to routinely fill and dump your tanks.
Important Note: This method is far more effective for thoroughly rinsing a tank than using internally mounted tank rinsers, tank wands, or external tank flushes. Our extensive testing of these external devices has proven that they are highly ineffective for the majority of RV wastewater systems.
Learn More: How to Rinse an RV Holding Tank
No More Pyramid Plugs, No More Headaches
RV pyramid plugs may be one of the messiest and most frustrating problems you'll face on the road, but they don't have to ruin your camping experience. Understanding what causes these stubborn waste buildups, and how to remove them properly, is the key to protecting your RV holding tank and avoiding costly repairs.
With Unique Clear-It to break down hardened waste and The Unique Method to thoroughly rinse and restore your black tank, you can eliminate pyramid plugs, maintain a healthy waste system, and enjoy more clog-free camping trips with confidence.
Get back to your ideal RV adventure easily and cleanly with Clear-It, the world’s most effective, and strongest RV black tank unclogger.
For more details about how to prevent RV pyramid plugs, please refer to our guide about Preventing Clogs in Your RV Black Water Holding Tanks.
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