Is Liquid Plumber safe for RV?

By Elaine Knight
Page last updated: 22/10/2021 | Next review date: 22/10/2023
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Elaine Knight
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In this article, we will answer the following question: Is Liquid Plumber safe for RV? We will explain how to unclog an RV drain, the reasons why it gets clogged and how to prevent it.

Is Liquid Plumber safe for RV?

Yes, Liquid Plumber is safe to use in an RV as long as you respect the correct proportions. To use a Liquid Plumber for the drains of an RV: 

  1. Fill ¾ of the tank with water;
  2. Add the suggested amount of Liquid Plumber in the tank;
  3. Let the mixture stay for the recommended time;
  4. Dump the water in the tank and refill it with clean water. 
  5. You may repeat the previous step to make sure you got rid of all the chemicals and grime. 

Note: Please dispose of the mixture properly. Many campsites have a marked space for disposing of greywater and cleaning products. In many cities,  it is illegal to dump grey water anywhere else except in a designated city sewer connection. Chemicals in the Liquid Plumber water may be dangerous (even fatal) for pets.

What can I use instead of Liquid Plumber in my RV?

If you are not using a tank treatment product at all, or if you are using one based on enzymes and/or bacteria, we recommend you at least look for a “natural” alternative. But leaving your tank uncleaned will only lead to impossible smells!

  1. Use a plunger: This is a fairly simple solution and one of the most popular drains unblocking equipment. Sometimes it only takes one or two tries and your problem can be fixed in a matter of seconds:
  2. First, make sure there is water in the tub or sink. If there is not already, add 2 to 3 cm;
  3. Next, block any adjoining drain or vent to ensure that there is only one air inlet in the clogged drain;
  4. Then cover the drain completely with the diver’s head, which should form a suction cup from which air cannot escape;
  5. Using both hands, push and pull the diver’s head up and down. It doesn’t matter which way the air passes, as long as movement is created in the drain to dislodge the blockage;
  6. After a few back-and-forth movements, remove the plunger to see if the water is flowing. Then repeat these gestures if necessary. It might take three or four attempts to dislodge some blockages;
  7. If this is a bathtub, it is recommended to remove the cover from the overflow plate and block the passage of air with a rag. However, do not push it in too far.
  • Combine baking soda and vinegar: Baking soda and vinegar, when mixed together, can create an impressive chemical reaction that can also be mildly corrosive. This recipe can sometimes eat away at what is clogging your drain.

Just mix the two ingredients. As soon as everything starts to sparkle, pour the mixture down the clogged drain and fetch some boiling water to rinse off the corroded debris.

  • Or, baking soda and salt: Another potential chemical reaction that you may be able to create from ingredients in your kitchen can be achieved with a mixture of salt and baking soda.
  1. Mix 125 ml (1/2 cup) of baking soda with 125 ml (1/2 cup) of salt and pour everything down the drain.
  2. About 20 minutes later, add boiling water to it. Pour the water down the drain and watch the chemical reaction take place.
  • Some alternative cleaning products for your RV tank are Cascade Platinum Pods, Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda or Drano Max Gel Hose Unblockers. 

Fixing a clogged drain sometimes takes creativity, but sometimes it’s not enough. In this case, call on the real specialist: the plumber.

The six main reasons why your RV drain is clogged all  the time and how to prevent it

Clogged drains could almost ruin your day. But with a little know-how, you can take matters into your own hands and show these caps who’s the best. Here are the top six enemies of flowing drains (and the enemies of harmony in the home) and how to defeat them. Without anyone’s help.

  1. Hair: If you or someone in your family have long hair (or are the lead singer in a heavy metal band), then a hair cap is probably the culprit. Strands of long hair tend to clump together and cause clogs in drains. The solution? Drano Max Gel Hose Unblockers – it works great for hair plugs in drains.
  2. Food: Sometimes ordering a one-pound triple cheeseburger seems like a good idea, but halfway through it, your belt snaps from the pressure. The lesson: Clogs happen when you throw leftovers down the drain rather than in the trash.
  1. Dirt and debris: Maybe you’ve spent the past two months hiking the Appalachian Trail with only a compass and a backpack full of dry meat. Or maybe you’ve just planted two petunias four feet from your door. Regardless, when it’s time to take a shower, clumps of dirt and debris can clog your drain. Try to clear some of the grime before you shower to avoid clogging your drains.
  1. Toilet paper: There are times when you need a lot of toilet paper – and maybe a nutritionist. But too much toilet paper that falls down the toilet can come back to haunt you. Pay attention to how much paper you use and use the right type of toilet paper for your RV. 
  1. Soap residues: If you stop using soap when you bathe, you won’t have as many plugs. But your friends will also be fewer. Rather than ditching the soap, use a liquid shower gel in place of bar soap to prevent soap scum from building up in your drain.
  1. Cooking grease and oil: Fat is deceptive. It comes in the form of a liquid so you think it can be drained off through drains, but once it’s there it starts playing tricks and hardening and sticking to your pipes, which causes drains to clog with grease. Home remedies such as baking soda and vinegar can cause more frustration.

How to prevent clogged RV drains

To prevent RV clogged toilet, shower or kitchen sick, follow these tips:

  • Never throw heavy paper products down the drain (including towels and facial tissues). Make sure that the products flushed down your toilet are safe for plumbing systems and septic systems.
  • Pay attention to toilet paper. Flushing the toilet after using too much paper will obviously cause a clog.
  • Toys are a common cause of traffic jams; so teach the children what not to throw in the toilet.
  • Use Liquid Plumber, or any similar cleaning product, monthly to help prevent plumbing problems.

The bottom line

Cleaning and disinfecting the water tanks and the drainage system in your RV are at least (if not more) important as it is in your house or apartment. Unclogging an RV toilet or drain is no fun, and if you don’t do it properly, you risk causing further damage. If unsure, call a plumber!

Do you have any life-changing tips to prevent RV drain clogging? Have you used Liquid Plumber for your RV? Feel free to share your tips and thoughts! 

FAQ on Is Liquid Plumber safe for RV?

Can you put bleach in an RV black water tank?

Yes, it is allowed to put bleach in an RV black water tank. You can make a mixture of one-quarter cup of bleach with one gallon of water and clean the waste tank.

What is the procedure to treat sewage?

Wastewater treatment begins with the physical separation of large solids (garbage) from their current, using a system of grids (meshes), although such wastes can also be crushed by special equipment; subsequently, a grit is applied (separation of solids

How to clean the clean water tank of an RV?

To clean the clean water tank of an RV, follow this guideline: to each litre of water, you must add 2 drops of 5% chlorine. If you do, your water will be much more drinkable and clean, eliminating the risk of acquiring different diseases. At comercialcaraving.com we have many years of experience renting and improving your caravan

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