How to Unclog a Grey Tank in an RV – The Ultimate Guide

Hey there RV owner! Dealing with a clogged grey tank is no fun at all. As someone who loves DIY home projects, let me walk you through how to safely unclog that pesky grey tank and get your wastewater flowing freely again.

What‘s Causing the Clog in My Grey Tank?

Before we dive into the unclogging process, it helps to understand what causes grey tanks to get clogged in the first place.

There are a few usual suspects when it comes to RV grey tank clogs:

Food Scraps and Grease

All those tasty meals you cook up in your RV galley lead to food scraps and grease going down the sink drain. Things like:

• Coffee grounds
• Egg shells
• Pasta
• Sauces or gravy
• Meat and vegetable scraps
• Oil and grease from cooking

Over time, this builds up on the tank walls and pipes, narrowing the openings.

Hair and Soap Scum

Showers and sinks deposit hair and soap scum in the tank which binds together into a thick sludge that blocks drains. Pet hair is a big culprit too if you bring furry friends along.

Toilet Paper

Although RV toilet paper is designed to dissolve, remnants still build up. And many folks mistakenly flush regular toilet paper, paper towels or baby wipes which accumulate.

Hard Water Deposits

Calcium and magnesium in hard water leads to scale and mineral deposits along the tank walls and fixtures.

According to RV surveys, over 80% of RV owners report issues with clogged drains, so you‘re definitely not alone!

Now let‘s get into the nitty gritty of getting that grey tank flowing again.

Gather Your RV Grey Tank Unclogging Supplies

Before wielding any power tools, start by assembling the following supplies:

• RV tank treatment/deodorizer – I recommend GeoMethod or Happy Campers.
• Protective gear – Gloves, goggles, mask
• 5 gallon bucket
• Garden hose
• Wet/dry shop vacuum
• Plumbing snake/drain auger
• Extra tools – pliers, wrench, screwdrivers

Safety first! Be sure to suit up in gloves, goggles and a mask before tackling any grey water. And only work in a well-ventilated area.

Okay, with your supplies ready, let‘s start busting up that clog!

Step 1: Break Up the Grey Tank Clog

The first step is using mechanical means to break up the gunk inside your grey tank. Here are a few methods that work:

Use an RV Tank Treatment

Start by adding an RV holding tank deodorizer/treatment like GeoMethod Waste Digester or Happy Campers tank treatment.

These contain enzymes and emulsifiers that help dissolve solid buildup. Mix per the instructions – usually a few ounces per gallon of tank capacity. Allow it to sit for at least a few hours, or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more it can dissolve blockages.

Dislodge Debris with a Plumbing Snake

Also called a drain auger, this tool uses a long wire coil to manually hook and break up gunk.

Locate the grey tank outlet cleanout first – usually an access point outside the RV marked by a removable cap. Carefully feed the end of the snake into the outlet.

As you twist the handle and push the snake in, the coiled wire bores through the sludge. Once you hit resistance, twist clockwise and counter-clockwise to grind through it.

Retract the snake slowly to pull out debris. Rinse off the end, then send it back in for another pass. Repeat until the snake moves freely.

Vacuum Out Debris

Use the narrow hose attachment on a wet/dry shop vac to suck out debris. Stick it into the tank outlet or directly into sinks/showers.

Cover any overflow holes first with a wet cloth or duct tape so it effectively pulls out gunk inside the pipes below. The suction grabs all those hair clumps and grease chunks.

Flush with Water

Attach a garden hose to the grey tank inlet to blast water and help dislodge buildup. Use high pressure but avoid too much force that could damage pipes.

This likely won‘t clear a total blockage on its own, but it helps break up particles before snaking and vacuuming them out.

Step 2: Flush Out the Grey Tank Debris

Once the clog is broken up, it‘s time to thoroughly flush the system.

Fill the Tank

Use your garden hose in the grey tank inlet to fill the tank about halfway with fresh water. The pressure will help rinse away all the gunk you just loosened up.

Drain and Repeat

Open the tank outlet valve and let it all drain out. Any remaining debris exits with the water.

Refill and drain the tank 2-3 times to really clear it all out. Make sure to open and close valves slowly to prevent water hammer.

Inspect Pipes

Check the outlet hose and termination valves for any leftover gunk. Use pliers as needed to remove hair or particles.

Test Drains

Run all faucets, showers, and drains, checking the flow. If you notice any lingering sluggishness, repeat the tank-filling steps above.

And just like that – your tank should be unclogged! But let‘s talk about preventing future problems.

Maintain Your RV Grey Tank to Prevent Clogs

Clogs will happen eventually in any grey tank. But you can delay things by:

• Installing sink strainers and emptying them frequently
• Only flushing RV-safe toilet paper
• Using hair traps in drains and cleaning them out
• Limiting oil/grease down sinks
• Using less soap and low-suds biodegradable cleaners

Adding 1/2 cup baking soda once a month helps deodorize and break down waste too. And having your tank professionally cleaned periodically removes all gunk.

While clogs can‘t be prevented forever, good tank maintenance will help avoid any major headaches!

FAQs about Unclogging an RV Grey Tank

Let‘s go over some frequently asked questions:

What‘s the easiest way to unclog a grey tank in an RV park?

It‘s best to use an enzyme-based RV tank treatment you can pick up at most parks. Let it sit overnight to work on dissolving the clog, then attach a hose to flush it out in the morning. Avoid anything too harsh that could damage pipes or park utilities.

Can I use Drano or other household drain cleaners in my RV tank?

No! Avoid any product not designed for RV use. Most household drain cleaners contain caustic, corrosive chemicals that can damage your tank and plumbing. Stick to enzyme-based cleaners made for RV holding tanks.

Is it safe to snake my own tank or will I damage something?

It‘s safe if you‘re very gentle with the auger. Only crank the handle when inside the tank, and don‘t force it if you meet resistance. Retract and rinse the snake often. Avoid scratching the tank lining or breaking the snake cable.

Why does my grey tank smell bad even after dumping?

Lingering bad smells usually mean there‘s particles still stuck to tank walls that continue to rot. Fill the tank with water and baking soda, let sit overnight, then thoroughly drain and flush. Re-treat tanks that still smell.

What should I do if my grey tank is completely blocked?

A totally blocked grey tank needs professional help. Call a mobile RV tech to bring high-power flushing equipment and industrial snakes that can clear severe clogs. Don‘t try forcing water through a blocked system yourself – it could damage pipes or push the clog further down the line.

When to Call the Plumber

As much as I believe in handling RV repairs yourself, there are times to call in a professional:

• If DIY efforts don‘t resolve the grey tank clog
• If you notice water backing up into the RV from a clogged system
• If you suspect pipe damage or broken pumps/valves
• If you have sewage odors, indicating the black tank is involved
• If you can‘t locate the tank valves or access points

Many RV repair companies offer mobile service to come unclog your tanks. They have specialized power jets and snakes that make quick work of tough clogs.

Paying for professional service may hurt more upfront, but it prevents further damage down the road. Don‘t wait if DIY methods fail – call for backup!

The Takeaway on Clearing Grey Tank Clogs

As we covered today, taking good care of your RV grey tank involves being prepared to tackle the inevitable clog.

By combining tank treatments, thorough drain-snaking, debris removal, and follow up flushing, you can clear most simple clogs yourself. Just be sure to take safety precautions and know when to call in an RV pro.

With proper maintenance between clogs, like using sink strainers, limiting grease, and periodic cleaning, you can avoid major blockage issues and keep wastewater flowing freely.

I hope these grey water tips help you handle clogs quickly and easily. Part of RV ownership is learning hands-on fixes and tricks. Let me know if you have any other questions – happy camping!