So, you’re dealing with a clog in your RV, and after thoroughly diagnosing the problem, you’ve determined you have a pyramid plug, or what’s commonly referred to as a poop pyramid. While pyramid plugs can be very annoying, we can provide you with simple steps to knock them out for good.

Key Points About Getting Rid of RV Pyramid Plugs

• 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.

What is an RV Pyramid Plug?

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.

For more detailed information about RV pyramid plugs, we recommend reading our article: What is an RV Pyramid Plug?

How to Clear an RV Pyramid Plug

Pyramid plugs can often be confused with blockages in the toilet line because they share one critical symptom: water pools in the 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 about How to Unclog a Blocked RV Toilet Line.

Steps to Get Rid of an RV Pyramid Plug:

Now that you’ve determined you have a pyramid plug, it’s time to get rid of it with these easy-to-follow instructions.

1. Turn off your RV’s fresh water supply.
2. Using a flashlight to look into the toilet, 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.
3. Take a section of ½” PEX pipe, or a toilet snake, and run it down the toilet to create holes in the top of the pyramid.
   • 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.
4. Pour one entire bottle of Clear-It into the toilet bowl, and hold down the flush pedal so the product makes its way into the clog.
   • The goal here is to allow as much water and treatment to get to the clog as possible so that the clearing process can begin. The more you can fill the tank with water, the better.
5. Let the product sit in the black water 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!
6. Using your flashlight, take another look down your toilet into your black water tank to check how well the pyramid 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 water tank.
7. After at least 72 hours, or longer, dump your black water tank and confirm the clog has been removed, and water is now able to flow through your tank.
8. Rinse your tank well to ensure all of the waste and toilet paper is broken up and out of the tank. Do this by filling your black tank, then dumping. Do this twice.
   • As you break down and rinse out the pyramid plug, it is sometimes 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.
9. Once you’ve cleared the clog and rinsed your tank, close your black water tank valve.
10. Turn your RV’s fresh water valve back on.

Important Note: When you are completely finished with the process, be sure to close your black water tank valve, and keep it closed unless you are actively dumping a full tank. Please refer to our guide about Why It’s Crucial to Keep Your RV Black Water Tank Valve Closed.

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.

RV Pyramid Plugs & The Unique Method

Want a proven, easy-to-follow approach to preventing RV pyramid plugs before they happen? Then look no further than The Unique Method. Specifically designed to solve 99% of wastewater problems before they happen, all you have to do is follow a few easy steps and use the right products, and Unique Camping + Marine will have you set up to enjoy worry-free RV adventures for years to come.

By combining regular tank maintenance with bio-enzymatic (bacteria + enzyme) products like Clear-It, you can get rid of odors at the source, maintain your sensor probes, and ensure solid waste breakdown easily and effectively.

Review: Getting Rid of RV Pyramid Plugs

Clearing a pyramid plug may seem daunting, messy, and gross, we know. But, if you follow these simple steps and use Unique Clear-It, you can avoid an unnecessary trip to the RV service department, and unclog your tank today. Get back to your ideal RV adventure easily and cleanly with Clear-It, the world’s most effective, and strongest, 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.