Of all clogs, toilet clogs are the worst, for obvious reasons. However, please don’t rush to call the plumber; you can probably solve the toilet problem on your own by following our tips. Even in the best RVs, a frequent problem is clogged toilets in RVs. Campers often deal with how to unclog an RV toilet and ask why my RV toilet keeps clogging. Here are our tips; we are ready to help keep you on the road!
You can’t imagine how many readers just write us (probably in a hurry) and say, “How to unclog an RV toilet,” or “how to unclog a Thetford RV toilet”, or “Can you use a plunger on an RV toilet”, because the problem of unclogging camper toilets is always present until you follow these tips and our recommendations based on years of experience. We encourage you to continue reading this article if you are having any of these problems and would like to put an end to them for good.
Why Does My RV Toilet Keep Clogging?
RV and boat toilets frequently clog because they use too little water for flushing. A household toilet flushes 10 to 5 liters of water per flush. In contrast, RV and boat toilets flush only 0.5 L of water per flush. With less flushing and flushing capacity, RV canister toilets clog easily.
However, it is straightforward to unclog an RV toilet and prevent clogged toilets. This is a relatively simple problem and does not require special tools or know-how plumbing.
In this article, I propose different options to unclog an RV toilet, including a Thetford RV toilet for when you are on the road, and tips to learn how to prevent any clogs in the future. Follow these pieces of advice, and you will never have to deal with a clogged RV toilet.
How to Unclog an RV Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Let’s see How to Unclog an RV Toilet with Baking Soda and Vinegar. This is one of the options to unclog the RV toilet chemically by using household items that you probably have in your kitchen.
Bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is very common in many homes and RV trailers. Regardless of whether it is baking soda for closets to prevent moldy odor or if it is baking soda for cooking, both two baking soda (bicarbonate) will work to unclog an RV toilet. This is the traditional way we all know how to unclog pipes. The idea is to unclog the toilet with two things you may have at hand: baking soda (bicarbonate) and vinegar, something very useful if you do not have a specific product in hand. The two ingredients have properties that help undo different types of materials as well as clean and disinfect.
Simply pour half or a large cup of baking soda into the WC cup and down the drain. If there is plenty of accumulated water, you will have to add more baking soda, then add half or a large cup of vinegar (wine or white vinegar). You will see that it immediately begins to make an effervescent effect. Close the lid and let effect for at least half an hour. Add hot water down the pipe for one minute. If necessary, repeat the maneuver.
How to Unclog an RV Toilet with a Plunger Air Drain Blaster
Can you use a plunger on an RV toilet? Now, I’m going to recommend something that will save you from going to the plumber, whether you have problems traveling in your RV or at home. A plumbing cap is helpful, but this inexpensive device that I am going to describe below is even better. It’s useful for a clogged toilet, a clogged kitchen sink, or a clogged bathroom grate. In many cases, it is not possible to use chemicals to treat clogs because not all clogs can be dismantled chemically. For example, think of a blockage caused by hair or a plastic toy; no chemical will help you to unclog this blockage. That is why this method is recommended for mechanically unclogging toilets.
The most effective and affordable method to unclog an RV toilet is by using a pneumatic blaster that allows for the clogging of the pipes, such as a Plunger Air Drain Blaster. The pipe and drain unclogging gun is an indispensable item for any home, office, or apartment. Its multiple solutions generate savings and simplicity to most of the obstructions. It replaces the plumber and the traditional plungers. It has a safety valve and the possibility of placing a padlock so that it cannot be manipulated without permission.
The drain blaster uses the power of high-pressure compressed air to unclog RV toilets and boat toilets effectively. By using the drain blaster, you can blast away the toughest clogs quickly, safely, and efficiently. It is definitely more effective than traditional plungers.
The unblocker pneumatic equipment to unclog RV toilets is effective, and when you have one in the RV, it is a great solution. The drain blaster blasts the toughest clogs away swiftly and efficiently with the power of high-pressure compressed air. Safe charging is used to fill it with gas. It is more effective than regular plungers.
Toilet drains, bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, and floor drains are all suitable for this product. How to unclog an RV sink? A drain blaster is a perfect solution to unclog an RV sink. Clogged pipes due to hair, cloth, toilet paper, feces, grease, oil dirties, and so on, are easy to unclog using the drain blaster.
How do you unclog RV pipes using this? You insert the pump into the gadget, press the airbag, insert the blocked drain, and press the air button. Design with an ergonomic handle and a pressure-release safety valve. Handles, pumps, and buttons that are easy to use.
Funnel-tipped plunger pumps with a flange extending from the bottom are best for toilets.
- Firstly, check that there is enough water in the bowl to cover the bottom of the plunger.
- If there is not enough, pour more into the bowl.
- When pressing the plunger down and pulling it up, remember that the upward motion is as important as the downward motion, so use force. (Be careful of splashing).
Get a drain blaster and forget to unclog the RV, forget about hiring a plumber, and forget about a bad smell on the road.
We have already looked at How to unclog an RV toilet. Now, in the following few paragraphs, we are going to explain and review why an RV toilet clogs so we can prevent this situation and stop dealing with how to unclog an RV toilet.
Why Does My RV Toilet Keep Clogging?
Stop dealing with how to unclog an RV toilet. Read this, and you will never have to worry about piping and toilet obstructions in your camper.
There are toilet papers specially formulated to disassemble with minimal water and minimal movement. Many beginner campers suffer from this recurring problem, wondering why my RV toilet keeps clogging. The use of non-RV-specific toilet paper or the use of poor quality toilet paper is the main cause of clogged RV toilets, clogged pipes, and RV toilet odor. Also, the use of flushable wipes in RV toilets and boat toilets is strongly discouraged.
Specially designed toilet paper for RV toilets and boat toilets makes the difference. Many campers seek to make savings and choose cheaper commercial brands. However, in this case, quality makes the difference. In many cases, I could recommend different brands with similar quality and prices. But in all my years of experience, in which I believe I have experienced every possible problem that can occur when living or traveling in an RV, I have found that only one brand on the market offers the right toilet paper for the RV toilet. I guarantee Scott Rapid-Dissolving Toilet Paper, made for RVs and Boats, is the best.
Of all their varieties, this is the best. It makes a lot of sense when you think that it is the company that invented toilet paper and also can develop and technologically improve this type of product.
Another benefit when thinking of RV toilet paper is Kimberly-Clark Scott for RV and boat Toilets are manufactured in the US by using wood pulp that comes from certified sustainable sources, 100% biodegradable tissue, in a 100% wind energy manufacturing facility, and the packaging is recyclable.
Chemicals To Unclog RV Toilet: Fix RV Toilet Obstruction For Good
RV Tip for Beginners #1: listen carefully and do not use cheap RV toilet paper or flushable wipes. The RV toilets work differently. And believe me; you don’t want to deal with a nasty clogged RV toilet. The best of the best is to avoid clogged RV toilets.
Now that the toilet paper problem is solved, the other source that can clog the RV toilet is organic matter. There are chemicals on the market that can be added to the water in the holding tank that will completely break down the feces and unclog for good. They also maintain a proper balance of bacteria, which prevents odor.
Precisely to maintain this bacterial and enzyme balance, the use of bleach in the wastewater is strongly discouraged as it inactivates the enzymes added to break down the organic matter and the breakdown of the paper.
The use of bleach in the RV toilet is a frequent mistake of beginner campers that only leads to a clogged RV toilet with paper and organic matter and excessive bad odor with the formation of toxic gases with chloride gas from mixing chemicals.
Stop dealing with how to unclog an RV toilet.
RV Tip for Beginners #2: here is another tip for you: do not use bleach on your wastewater. It will cause a clogged RV toilet, a nasty odor, and could cause chemical intoxication with chlorine gas.
The enzymatic RV Treatment does not use chemical scents to cover undesirable odors, nor does it use harsh chemicals to demolish your tank. This chemical solution for RV toilets prevents odors from forming and leaving behind a gentle, fresh scent.
Some brands on the market are practical and cost-effective and are easy to use because they do not require measuring or liquid handling. You throw a small cube of concentrated into the toilet, and the liquid is wholly disintegrated inside the tank. Of the brands that we have tested and have given excellent results, I recommend the following.
There’s no need to measure anything, and there’s no need to make a mess. Instead of messy powders and liquids that must be measured, this chemical treatment is effective, high-quality, and inexpensive, as well as formaldehyde-free, self-dissolving RV septic tank treatment drop-ins that are simple to use.
The finest quality concentrated recipe is a non-toxic camper toilet treatment with waste digesters that create, activate, and recharge the organic enzymes required to decrease solids and break down waste in your RV septic tank.
This enzymatic RV Treatment Drop-In can be used on a boat, a tiny portable camping toilet, or an outhouse latrine, among other things.
One of the benefits of this chemical treatment is that it can be used in an empty tank without causing any harm. It won’t harm, deteriorate, or taint the tank’s surface. In average temperatures, the packets dissolve in 1-2 minutes. They may take a few minutes longer to dissolve in cooler temperatures. It gets to work right away. This chemical treatment not only dissolves organic matter but also breaks down and dissolves conventional toilet paper, which can clog the RV toilet. The product is formaldehyde-free and devoid of toxins such as formaldehyde and bronopol. The product has a 12-month shelf life. Keep them in a well-sealed container away from direct sunlight and at room temperature.
When utilizing this enzyme-based chemical therapy, use caution. Because bleach will likely inactivate the enzymes, we do not advocate using a bleach product to clean your toilet.
Let’s continue reading to stop dealing with how to unclog an RV toilet.
Many RVers have recurring problems with clogged RV toilets and deal all the time trying to unclog the RV toilet. Sometimes, they are even trying to switch to different types of RV toilets, thinking that this may prevent clogging. However, you can prevent clogs easily and eliminate the smell of your RV toilet. If you identify with this recurrent issue, we recommend you read the following paragraphs.
Eliminates Odors and Prevents Obstructions (Once and For All)
There seems to be a certain imbalance between organic matter and water used in an RV toilet. Easily, that balance is lost and the RV toilet becomes clogged. Also, odor from RV toilets is a recurring problem. Between odor and clogging, RV toilets present a challenge.
However, the permanent solution to these two problems is very simple. RV toilet odor problems and clogged RV toilets are easy to prevent.
To avoid having to deal with a clogged toilet, here are some tips:
- Never flush thick paper products down the drain (this includes paper towels and tissues). Make sure the products you flush are safe for plumbing systems and septic tanks.
- Use caution with toilet paper. Flushing large amounts down the toilet can cause clogs.
- Toys are a common cause of clogs, so teach children what not to put in the toilet.
- Use non-toxic camper toilet treatment with waste digesters every month to help avoid plumbing problems.
I am also going to recommend some beneficial products for your RV toilet or even for your home toilet.
It is useful never to have to handle the toilet board directly from the dirtiest area. To prevent the manipulation of the toilet board this useful and inexpensive accessory is a great help.
Another useful item at home and in the RV especially for families with children or for parents who are used to going to the bathroom at night is this handy night light for the toilet. With changeable colors, it helps any child to go to the bathroom without asking for help and easily find the toilet. Easy go to the bathroom at night for parents and kids using these toilet-led lights.
It is highly recommended to employ proper RV toilets to prevent clogged toilets, bad odors, and unpleasant moments. Some RV toilets are only highly recommended for their easy installation and effective performance, with efficient and minimal flushing that allows a good sweeping of the contents. Here are the most efficient RV toilets I have tried.
Some useful and convenient products that I have tried in my RV that I recommend you have on hand for effective cleaning. Remember that bleach is not suitable to be combined with the other products used in the RV’s wastewater system. Keep your RV toilet clean.
We hope you enjoyed and found our tips on How to Unclog an RV helpful toilet, whether for traveling or living in your camper as well as at home. Remember that if you are prepared for the road, you will always be in good condition for inconveniences, save money without a plumber, and avoid one of the most common and problematic issues in an RV. Continue to enjoy the comfort of your camper!
