-Today's video, we are bringing you everything you need to know about your RV black tank and sewer connections.
-So stick around to the end of the video because we are bringing you guys some sweet bonus tips. Here we go.
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-If this is your first time here, nice to meet you. I'm Renee. -And I'm Kyle. And welcome to HappilyEverHanks.
Our channel is all about igniting that spark within yourself to live small but experience big in RV living.
-This is a beginner how-to video. So if you haven't bought your RV yet.
Or you've already bought your RV and you're just not sure how it works. Then this video is perfect for you.
So make sure you grab your pen and paper, you grab a beverage. Sit down cause you're ready to learn.
-Some takeaways that you can expect from this video include all the supplies that we use for dumping the tanks.
The exact procedures of dumping all your holding tanks.
Knowing when to dump your holding tanks.
And last but not least. The actual tank preparation once you're completed dumping your tanks.
-Wait. But before we get started let's do our RV Tip of the Week.
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Shout out to Bill and Kelly Adventures for their RV tip.
-They said a great tip for newbies is always remember there will always be a problem or something going on.
And you have to remember don't let it ruin your trip and stay positive.
Because you do not want it to be a surprise and put you in a bad mood for the rest of your trip.
Now guys if you are looking for a chance to get a shout out as well it's super easy.
All you have to do is leave a comment below. It doesn't have to be anything specific.
But it does have to be one of your favorite RV tips when it comes to RV living.
-All right. Back to the video. But before we dive in I just want to clear up some terms for you guys.
So there's no confusion when we start talking about these things.
Whenever we refer to something called the black tank.
That is your sewage tank. That is everything from your toilet.
-And then when we mention the grey tanks. We're actually just referring to all the dirty water that is collected...
from your kitchen sink. Your bathroom sink. Your actual shower, etc. -Yum.
Your black tank valve must be shut at all times.
You do not open up your black tank valve until it is at least three quarters of the way full when it is time to dump them.
All right. Let's talk about the supplies. -And the first supply we want to mention that you must have is gloves.
Take it from the ER nurses. We know all about nastiness.
And we want to prevent any of that during the entire dumping process.
-It doesn't matter if it's disposable gloves. Or gloves that you reuse and wash and keep separate.
It's okay as long as you are not cross-contaminating.
So the next item you guys are definitely gonna need is the actual sewer hose.
And that is the main vessel from your actual holding tanks into the ground. Where it will actually drain at your RV park.
So the next supply that we want to talk about is actually clear connections.
Think of your sewer hose and then think of the pieces that actually connect the sewer hose to the trailer.
And the sewer hose to the actual drain in the ground.
-If you're wondering why they're clear. It is so you can constantly monitor...
the color of what's coming out of your tank. So you know when it is clear. And you know when it is also done draining.
-Get these clear connections so you can consistently have that monitoring during your entire dumping process.
Another thing that a lot of people forget to include in their supplies is the actual support for the sewer hose.
Now a lot of RV parks make this mandatory that you actually have it.
-It's also good to have because it helps assist the draining process via gravity.
Because it puts the hose on a decline to the connection in the ground.
-All right. So our fifth thing we want to talk about is actually a hose for the black tank flush.
-This is a separate hose you need to have in your collection. And it is specifically used just for flushing your black tank.
-The only purpose of this actual hose...
is to give a thorough flushing after the entire black tank has been completely dumped.
-Another supply you're going to need is your actual tank treatment, deodorizer.
-And the main purpose of this product is it acts as a deodorizer. It helps to contain the smell.
While also breaking down all those sediments in the actual black tank.
-The last item is just very simple but we would like to mention it.
It's just to have a bucket so you have a way to measure how much water you're putting in your tank.
When the whole process is complete. -Bam.
Are you guys still taking notes?
I hope you are because there is some important stuff coming up yet.
So you want to stay tuned till the end of the video.
-Stay with us guys because we're moving on to the next process.
-Totally. And what we want to talk about is actually knowing when to dump.
-Dun dun dun.
-A huge thing that people rely on in the RV industry of knowing when to actually dump...
are actually the sensors that are located in each of the holding tanks.
-A lot of RVs nowadays come with sensors where you hold the button and it tells you your levels for your black tank...
each gray tank. -Yeah. -But... -But... -Don't just rely on the sensors when knowing when to dump.
-So we're going to be honest with you. We don't really use the sensors all that much. Because they're just so unreliable.
-But when it comes to the black tank we feel the black tank is very...
delicate and very important. And we use other methods...
when it comes to knowing when it's full. And we'll tell you those right now.
-Okay. So like a first really big one that we want to talk about is burping.
Basically what happens is there is a pressure change within the black tank system.
Where the air can't escape. And the only way it can escape is by going up.
-Sometimes the burp is very large and it's very obvious. And sometimes it's very subtle.
Let's show you an example of what it looks like.
Oh. That was crazy. Let's see that in slow motion.
That is what it looks like. -Yeah. -So once we notice the toilet's burping.
Then we know we have about a day until we have to dump. -Yeah.
-So when you see that burping happening it doesn't mean you need to quick dump immediately.
That means the time is approaching. Winter is coming.
-Winter is coming. Okay. Not sponsored.
Guys, another huge and really simple thing that you can do is just listen to the toilet.
If it's getting fuller you'll definitely know when it's about time to dump. Because you'll hear that change in pitch.
And it's a really quick and reliable factor to use when knowing when to dump.
-Another way to know when it's time to dump is just time itself.
For the two of us our black tank lasts about seven to ten days.
-That's gonna be different for everybody, every situation, and every model.
This will be something you'll learn when you actually get out on the road. Don't be nervous.
-So now that you know when you should dump. You should also make sure that your grey tanks...
Which remember, is all your waste water from the sinks... Is at least three quarters of the way full. -Yeah.
We're gonna go over most of this later. But we'll give you a little snippet of what's to come.
When you're actually dumping your black tank after you're completely done...
you're gonna dump all that grey tank water to flush it all out of the system.
Stay tuned though. Because we're gonna go more in depth with that one. -Here we go.
All right. Let's go into the actual process of dumping your tanks. -The main event.
Now just know that we highly recommend most of the dumping process always be completed at an RV park.
At least that's what we do. It's super convenient.
And all the steps can be not rushed and done accordingly as we explain it.
-So the first thing you're going to want to do is tell everybody in the RV...
tell your family that you are about to dump the black tanks. So everybody is aware...
that the toilet is going to be M.I.A. for a little bit.
-So now referring back to when we talked about the grey tanks at least being three quarters of the way full.
You'll notice that all tank valves are completely closed when starting the dumping process.
-So once you have all your supplies and you're ready to go and all your valves are shut.
Now you want to put your gloves on. AKA don gloves.
Guys, once you have your gloves on and you've started touching all the dirty sewer supplies.
Please don't touch anything else including your face.
Please don't touch your phone. Please don't be talking on the phone or eating food.
Once you touch your dirty supplies...
you cannot touch anything else because you will do something called cross contamination.
-So now that your gloves are on. You're gonna actually go into the process of hooking up the connections...
from the trailer into the ground. Really simple.
You're gonna take the 45 degree clear connection and attach that to the outside port of your dumping tank on your RV.
Then you're gonna attach the sewer hose to that clear connection piece.
And go ahead and extend it all the way to the actual sewer drain located in the ground.
And go ahead and put that 90 degree elbow clear connection piece into the ground.
You'll notice it's threaded and the inside of that sewer drain is also threaded.
So correlate that and just go ahead and twist that for a secure connection.
So now that your sewer hose is actually completely connected to one side being the 45 degree.
And the other side being the 90 degree. Double check your connections.
You want to make sure things are actually really secure and tight for the entire dumping process.
-So now what you could do is rest the entire sewer hose on that support piece.
And just have it lined up perfect so that whatever comes out is going to drain...
from top to bottom into the ground. And just make it really nice and easy and clean for you guys. -Yeah.
-You are going to hook up your black tank flush hose to the water source.
And then hook that into the port of your RV where it says black tank flush.
Sometimes it doesn't say that and it is just a black looking water port.
-Now guys, you're only connecting the black tank flush hose at this time. You're not turning on the water source.
-So now it is time to finally pull the valve. The black tank valve, to allow all your waste water to flush out.
-You're doing it. And we're so proud that you actually are learning the steps. It's super exciting right?
So now that we're actually dumping the black tank waste.
We want you to give it a few seconds and then go ahead and turn on that water source.
-Sometimes it's a good idea to have some pressure on that 90 degree clear connection that goes into the ground.
Because when you initially pull the black tank valve there is going to be a lot of pressure coming that way.
And even though it's threaded and in the ground sometimes it's just enough pressure that it can pop off.
And you don't want to have a little accident and have everyone at the RV park looking at you.
Maybe put a rock on it. Sometimes you'll see rocks like already stacked around the sewer site. And if you're wondering...
why those rocks are there. That is why. Okay. So now the black tank is draining.
The water is turned on so it's allowing continuous flushing.
-And unfortunately this is the part where it's just gonna take some time.
Constant monitoring of the entire dumping process. And allowing that black tank flush to do its job.
Our thing that we like to implement is let it flush for a long time.
This is the process where you just want to get it all out. It's like that nasty...
You can expect at least 15 minutes for this entire process to take place.
We're not going to give you an exact time frame.
But this is where that monitoring comes in through those clear connection pieces.
So that you can see when the actual drainage is turning clear.
You'll know that you're getting closer to ending the dumping process.
-So the flushing and draining of your black tank is complete. It's clear coming out. Looks good.
You're assuming the inside of the black tank is completely clear and cleaned out. -Yeah.
-What you want to do is shut off your black tank flush hose.
Let the remaining water drain all the way out until it is done.
And then it is okay to finally shut your black tank valve.
-The main takeaway key that we're talking about here is that when you close that black tank valve...
There is no more outside water source being put into the black tank.
So now that your black tank valve is actually closed.
You're going to go ahead and open up your grey tank valve.
And allow the drainage of your grey tanks...
to completely push out all the rest of the sediment in the drainage process.
-Yeah. So if you have more than one grey tank, this is the time where you're gonna drain each tank.
One at a time. -One at a time. -Until they're empty.
-Think of it as really simple. You're using your dirty sink water, your shower water...
to flush out all that sewage water.
You don't want to flush the dirty sink water and then flush of sewage water.
Because then there could be leftover sediment.
Instead you want to flush all that sewage into the drainage. And be completely done.
All right guys. So you reached a point that you finally dumped all your tanks.
That is awesome. And we are almost done. But you got to stay tuned.
Because some really crucial pieces and steps are coming up...
that you need to continue to implement in your dumping process.
Right now your black tank is completely empty. Your valve is completely shut.
And now we're going to continue with the actual preparation of treating your black tank.
-This is something where everybody has their own little concoction.
-Every RV model when you actually treat the tank is gonna vary.
So according to what size holding tank you have you're gonna know how much treatment...
and how much water is expected to be placed into the tank before you actually use it.
-We have a 53 gallon black tank. And we like to do 16 ounces of Aqua Kem. Which is two cups.
And we like to do three buckets of water. Which ends up being nine gallons of water.
And it's worked great for us. We've never had a clogged tank. Guys, go with the more water version than less.
You might have to dump more often but it's better...
to dump more often and treat your tank more often than to deal with a tank that is clogged.
-So true. And unfortunately we cannot be of more clarification.
This is where you have to be your own advocate.
Do the research based on your model that you're going to be purchasing or have purchased.
And know exactly how much of that deodorizer treatment and water you need to be...
putting into your black tank before actually using it.
If you guys want a bonus tip... -Oh I do. I want a bonus tip. -Okay great. A bonus tip.
An insider scoop from the nurses. Take it from us.
Make sure you just wash your hands after you touch everything.
And doing so with actual washing hands with soap and water. That's gonna help...
clear you of any contaminants or like things like norovirus. Stuff like that. So...
Don't rely heavily on the hand sanitizer. Soap and water is king.
-All right guys. Let's give you some other tips on how to prevent a clogged tank. -Yeah.
-Okay, the first tip is to be very diligent about your toilet paper use. -Yes. -Less is more. -Less is more.
Don't be afraid of it. Do not let this scare you from RV living guys.
You just gotta be moderate in your usage of everything.
Make sure you're not overusing the toilet paper. It's super simple. It's really not that scary. You guys will do great.
So another bonus tip that we want to bring you guys is use a lot of water. Especially when there's solids involved.
Because like we said before the more water you use the more it's going to help that breakdown process.
Keep that insurance going on your black tanks and you'll be one happy camper.
-And also remember. Don't put anything in the toilet besides toilet paper. -That's it.
-That should go without saying but I'm gonna say it anyway.
So you have just learned about the scariest thing when it comes to RV living. So way to go.
But if you want to learn about some other things when it comes to RV living. Check out these videos right here.
-Thanks for watching guys. It's HappilyEverHanks. We love you. See you on the road.
Listen to that toilet. -The toilet's going to speak to you.
Wow. -Speaks to all of us.
Totally so take full.... -Yeah take full advantage... -Jinx.