Sponge down the Toilet....

[Sundogette]

Ok, I've got a good one....

Noticed some "build up" in the pipe leading to the Black Water tank...

Thought, I've got this...armed with my trusty scrubby sponge on a handle loaded with with some laundry soap and gloves, I was prepared to do battle.

A couple of swipes at the nasty stuff....the sponge came loose and went down the drain. UGH!

Luckily we had dumped the tank a few days ago, had it full with fresh water and soap to clean it and dumped it before this happened.

Just filled the tank to the brim and hoping the sponge will float to the surface.

Any other suggestions? Concerned it will get stuck in the valve or hose....gloom.


It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

[WaltBennett]

Well . . . the tank is really quite large in width and length, but only about a foot or so deep, so I don't think it will show up very soon - but maybe you'll get lucky. The good thing (also a maybe) is that since it floats, you should be able to keep using the tank and it may never try to flush out. I'd just keep on keepin' on and see what happens. Worst case would be having to drop the tank and fish the thing out by hand.

[grampachet]

I would make sure you get out while the tank is "clean" it would be very disappointing to be out at a nice resort and then it decides to mess things up.

[mhs4771]

Yep, while it's empty I'd be using the flusher and filling the tank part way, then quickly open the drain valve the see if you can't flush the sponge out. If you've got a clear section inline you should be able to see if it comes out.

[DQDick]

Four years ago I dropped a potato peeler down the toilet, not easy to explain but it happened. Never been an issue and I have no idea if it's still in there, but I bet it is.

[1retired06]

Might try filling the tank via hose at the toilet, flushing, and letting the hose run continously

[Sundogette]

LOL....one of these days I gotta hear the rest of the potato peeler story! Good idea re the clear section of pipe. We have discussed multiple flushings before we move in a couple of weeks. If that doesn't do it, might try a rv pumper service to suck it out. We will probably have the cleanest 5 year old black tank on the road by the time we are done. Thanks for the ideas.

[Ken65]

I too want to hear the potato peeler story. My suggestion is to call a roto rooter type plumber that has a video camera that goes down the pipes. They should be able to see where it is exactly and pull it out for you. Ken

[bigskyjimmy]

Potato peeler??? LOL Do tell Dick

[Sundogette]

We actually do have a camera that Pete used to locate and fish a diamond earring out of the shower drain at the stick house....another good life story, currently buried in storage 100 miles away.

We have decided to get a clear section of dump hose and flush the tanks with the garden hose in the toilet. Great suggestions! Waiting till the weekend as the resident on our convenience center side is leaving on Friday. If we have to go the super pumper route...would be easier to wait till the neighbors have cleared the space.

[WeBeFulltime]

POTATO PEELER ?! BaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaaaaaaa.....snort......snort!

[kdeiss]

Years ago I dropped a cap in the toilet off a Thetford Product it took about two years before I witnessed it flowing out the tank I know a Plastic Cap is not a sponge I personally would not worry about it!

[Sundogette]

The ode to the sponge story has finally ended....after numerous black tank flushes, creating a vortex with a hose in the toilet, et all, we were sure sponge must have passed. Finished our pre check chores and hit the road out of Wickenburg, Az a week ago. Currently enjoying Deer Creek Reservoir outside of Provo, UT. Pete had to add a section of hose to reach the sewer outlet and behold! The sponge was resting right at the end of the hose in the wand. No party fouls! Life is good!

[chris199]

OK...now that that's solved, let's here the potato peeler story.

[DQDick]

Alright, it's really pretty simple. We were boondocking and the galley tank was pretty full and I wanted more water in the black tank before I dumped so I took what I thought was an empty dish pan full of dirty water and dumped it down the toilet. Just as the last went down so did the potato peeler that had hidden it'self in the bottom or the pan.

[chris199]

Thats a very rational explanation! Still sounded funny at first read....sorry!

Thanks for shedding some light on that!

[Sundogette]

Sounds like something I would do!

[mhs4771]

Just goes to show, you never know what's lurking in the bottom of that dish pan full of dirty water. We've found silverware in the flower beds at the house.

[mlh]

Heck I was going to suggest having your wife see if she could get it out. Her hands are smaller than yours.
Lynwood