The Black Water Holding Tank Valve On Our RV Is Stuck Closed

by Tim
(Nashua, NH)

The black water tank valve is stuck and I can't get it open. I have tried to flush it out with water to see if it would loosen the valve and open but no such luck. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Greetings Tim thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

Well I am sure that you are not happy with this situation. I am hoping that you are hooked up to a sewer. Whether you get the RV Waste Valve open or not it sounds like it is time to replace it. Luckily they are not that expensive or that hard to install.

If your Black Water Tank does have water in it, I would try dumping a whole bottle of original liquid Dawn Detergent In the holding tank and let it sit for a while. You would be amazed at how much crud that Dawn breaks up. It could also act as a lubricant if it reaches the valve.

You do not tell me whether you have a motorhome or a trailer, but if you are willing to drive the motorhome or pull the trailer around a little bit I have another suggestion for you. Dump the bottle of liquid Dawn down the toilet and get the motorhome or trailer ready to hit the road and right before you leave dump about 10 to 20 pounds of bagged ice down the toilet.

This way while you are going down the road the ice cubes will rattle around in the tank also stirring around the liquid Dawn and this may be enough to free up whatever debris is keeping the sewer valve from opening. I know this all sounds kind of stupid, but it works and once you get the tank dumped it will be nice and clean.

Once you are done with your little road trip you will need to hook back up to the sewer and try to open RV Waste Valve again. You may have to pull real hard to get it open. I cannot tell you how hard to pull. Prior to pulling on it, you might want to tap the handle of the waste valve with a hammer and the vibration from that tapping may also help free it up. I cannot tell you how hard to tap it, but I know that right about now you may be ready to turn a tap into a real hard overhead swing with the hammer, so you may have to use a little bit of restraint when you get to this part of the process.

If after all the agitating, flushing, hammering and pulling the valve still does not free-up you may have to take your RV in to have it repaired by a Qualified RV Technician or you can check in your area to see if there is a mobile RV service that can come to you to perform the repair.

I hope that one of the solutions above work for you.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Are You Looking For RV Parts, Accessories and Camping Supplies At Great Discount Prices? Visit Our RV And Camping Store.

I Love My RVing Website!!!!

Watch This Free Video To Learn How To Build Your Own Successful Website