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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> RV Maintenance and Technical Tips -> Help, shower drain totally clogged
Post Info TOPIC: Help, shower drain totally clogged
rheadabovewater


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Help, shower drain totally clogged
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I don't know how on earth it happened - but suddenly water isn't draining at all.  It has been slow in the past, but never like this.

I've tried a plastic wand (very thin, about 3' long) and stuck it down and twirled.  Also tried a plunger, direct force with hot water, plus some denture cleaner.  No luck. 

I've always been good about keeping a filter above the opening, but since my 21 y/o son moved in, that hasn't been too successful.  Another thing - the opening has very small slots to stick something in.  Wondering if I will be able to stick anything down there like a snake?

Unfortunately I haven't had the wisdom to take a good look under the coach to see how the pipes are configured.  Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks, Roberta

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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
The Bear II


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Two causes

First would be the holding tank is full, I assuming you ruled that one out.

Second, a clog in the drain.  The top screen pops out of the drain. Look around the edges for a little cutout big enough to insert a small screw driver. Be gentle and pop the screen out.

Sometimes a plunger will get rid of the clog, but most times you'll need to get more physical.

About an inch below the screen is two metal bars that form an X. Hair and gunk gets caught on these crossbars and the best way to clear it is to try and scrape the stuff out with your finger nail. You'll probably pull up a couple of big wads of hair. Scrape the crossbars clean until you see no more clog, then run your plastic thingy in and out a few times just to make sure all the hair is out. Run water for a while to clear and to make sure it drains well.

Alternative method for a really big clog is to run a small sharp knife along the top of each crossbar to cut the stuff loose. Reach in with tweezers to pull out as much as possible. Then run water to clear the rest. This works best if the clog is allowed to dry for a couple of days. It will work wet, but dry is easier.

When I see the shower drain begin to slow, I use a plunger to break up the forming clog. That prevents it from getting big enough to stop the drain.

-- Edited by The Bear II on Tuesday 24th of August 2010 11:25:45 AM

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rheadabovewater


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Thanks so much. Am assuming it's not the holding tank because I'm stationary.

Unfortunately I don't have a top screen - it's just the two metal bars. Right now there is standing water in the shower, about 6" deep.

I've had clogs before because of hair and have had to go in there with tweezers, to pull it out from under the crossbars. In the past I've used my plastic wand to clear them.

Could hair under the crossbars totally stop the water from draining? There is nothing going down.

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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
rheadabovewater


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Oh my God, I just thought of something.  doh

I dumped my black tank on Sunday.  I wonder if I accidentally pushed in the grey water tank switch instead of the black one when I was finished!  confuse

Jeeze Louise - I will check that as soon as I get home tonight. 

Roberta (who may be feeling like an idiot this evening)


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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
rjenkins


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Regardless of whether Roberta released the wrong tank, I have been wanting to post something about clogged drains so thanks for bringing the issue up Roberta.
Do you have to treat clogs differently in an RV than a home? There are de-cloggers out there that are 'safe' for pvc pipes in a home, would this apply to an RV or do they use more fragile piping?
Also, they sell and I have used with good success, declog systems that use a CO2 cartridge to give a large and fast burst of air to break through a clog. Would this work in an RV or would I run the risk of blowing some piping up?


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Froggi


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The easiest and cheapest solution I have found is to drop as much baking soda into the drain as you can, then add white vinegar till it bubbles. Stop and when the bubbling stops, add more vinegar. Repeat until no more bubbles then flush with hot water.

This has cleaned slow running drains for me (shower in my used Class C) and now I use it monthly in all drains. It also helps remove any odor from food particles, etc.

I also have the fine screens in all drains to catch larger particles and hair. A pain to clean but worth it in the end.

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Luvglass


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When our sinks start to drain slow, we use regular drain cleaner that is ok for plastic and it works fine.

I don't think RV drain pipe is any less sturdy than that used in homes, at least it's not in my Cameo.

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
rheadabovewater


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Great info, thank you!

I also have wondered if RV pipes are the same as in a home.

I will let you know tomorrow if I pushed in the wrong lever. : )

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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
The Bear II


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I'd caution against using the CO2 type cleaners. That blast of air may be too strong for some of the plumbing components.

I've found a plunger works well, even better than in a sticks & bricks.

And yes Roberta a hair clog below the crossbars can cause stoppage.

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"Small House, Big Yard "

"May the FOREST be with you"
Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
rheadabovewater


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ashamedhmm
OK, I am officially totally embarrassed.

I ended up pushing in the wrong lever, the one to my forward waste tanks instead of the black tank.  Aargh!  The shower is now drained.

But at least I learned something from this!!  biggrin

Thanks to all of you!!

Roberta

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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
Racerguy


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We have all had our mishaps with the black and grey tanks.Just be sure you did shut the black tank valve.You don't want to end up with the dreaded mountain of poo.

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WRS


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Roberta,

Not only did you learn but it was the best thing the "could" have been wrong. Don't feel bad you are not the only one that has done this. We live in ours full time and I know I have done it twice this year!!! I just wish this JOB was over so I could do it on the road!! :)

One thing we notice in ours when this happens there is a light smell in the bathroom as it gets close to full. As a matter of fact last time it happened my DW said "Billy you have done it again" before the water had actually gotten in the shower.

Most likely it will happen again and "we" will never know it........... cause "you" will find the problem without all the worry and fuss. :) Also the great thing about H&L's site........... someone else learned from this too.

God Bless,
Stay Safe
Billy

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rheadabovewater


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Yes, wise words! Although I'm stationary in my RV, this has been a real learning experience!

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Roberta K.
2000 Fleetwood Avion Westport 5th wheel
My 21 y/o son finally moved out, YIPPEE!!
I'm stationary (no toad) in Half Moon Bay, CA
My blog:  Where's Robbie?
Kerri


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Yep, this newbie wannabee learned something!  Thanks so much for the question and the honest solution!

Kerri in AL  smile.gif

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desertnurse


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I haven't yet had any problems, but I have really long hair and have been worried about this. Maybe I should do some preventative maintainance? Does anyone else periodically pour down de-cloggers to keep the pipes clean?I'm not crazy about all the chemicals. maybe the baking soda + vinegar.

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Luvglass


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We started using those drop in screens that fit in the drains. Really ended the problems.

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Fred Wishnie

Full time since Feb 06 in Carriage Cameo 35KS3 and Ford F350


“If all you ever do is all you’ve ever done, then all you’ll ever get is all you ever got.”
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