You have to have water for a comfortable RV experience, but water can also ruin your RV trip and even your RV.
We have written about leaky roofs, delamination and the like, but what about water damage caused by the stuff inside your RV? Sometimes it can be just as devastating to the RV.
Dealing with an RV Toilet Overflowing
One unlucky camper recently reached out to us to estimate a complete re-carpeting of their RV and replace some buckling laminate flooring caused by an unfortunate toilet overflow. So we decided to write about toilet overflows and what you need to know about them to prevent costly repairs.
It usually happens like this: You are hanging out in the dinette or the living area when you hear water. You look over to see a flood of water creeping down the floor coming from the bathroom. You throw open the door, and there it is – an overflowing toilet. Now we don’t need to explain how toilets can overflow, there are “natural” reasons and mechanical failures. Either scenario could leave you with extensive and unsanitary damages that must be addressed immediately. In addition, water damage can cause extensive damage to your RV, which will require costly repairs.
Water Damage on an RV
Water damage on an RV can occur when moisture gets trapped inside for an extended amount of time. Water damage causes many different issues, including mold, mildew and rotten wood. Unfortunately, moisture buildup from leaks and overflowing toilets can happen with RV’ers hardly noticing it.
Rotting wood inside your RV can cause a lot of structural issues. Molds growing extensively in a motorhome can also affect your health. Further, if left unattended, water damage can cause extensive damage to an RV, essentially totaling it if the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds its market value. Because of these issues, it’s best to hire professional help immediately if your RV’s toilet starts overflowing before it causes any problems.
Problems Caused by an Overflowing RV Toilet
Let’s address some of the problems that can arise from mechanical issues of an RV toilet overflowing.
If your RV or TT has issues with the blackwater overflowing from the toilet into the camper, your issue could be a result of one of the following:
1. City water hook-up. Some prefer to use the city water hook up instead of running the gray water tank. Where available, this can be a convenience for those with a lot of guests or for long-term stays where you could possibly run out of water,
But with city water comes water pressure irregularities. Even if you are using a pressure regulator, the gauges can sometimes be off, allowing you to over pressurize your toilet and other water outlets such as the faucets and shower, causing RV gray water tank overflow.
So if you are having issues with an RV toilet overflowing, you may want to try filling the gray water tank, disconnecting the city water line and see if that fixes the problem.
2. Sticky toilet valve. If water continues to flow into the toilet after the flush, you could have a stuck valve, which causes an RV toilet that keeps running. Unlike your home, this is something you want to correct RIGHT AWAY! Once the black tank fills up, it will continue to flow out the toilet and up the vent tube and create a real mess.
3. Classic RV mistakes. Even the seasoned RV’er can make a mistake by relying on the water faucet outside. Someone flushed the toilet without realizing the TP may be partially keeping the drain from closing, which can cause an RV toilet leaking on the floor.
Always use the tank and pump since the recycling of the pump can point out a possible leak. I know many people will tell you to use the hose all the time, but it can cause problems for people not familiar with RV toilets. You should also not walk away without ensuring no water is running in the toilet or from faucets.
Once damaged, you can’t get this repaired under a warranty claim. However, you might be able to file an insurance claim so you can hire RV toilet repair services.
What To Do if You Suspect a Leak in Your RV?
To check your RV for potential leaks, here is a check-list you can perform:
- Make sure your fresh water tank is full.
- Turn on your water pump.
- Turn on each faucet one at a time and let it run for several seconds.
- Do the above with cold and hot water, which purges any air in the lines.
- You will or should be able to hear your water pump cycling as the faucets are opened.
- Ensure all faucets are closed, including any in lower storage compartments.
- Flush the toilet as you would under normal operation.
- Listen for your pump to cycle and shut off.
After completing the above simple test, all should be quiet. Next, listen for about three to four minutes and see if your pump cycles. If it does, then you may have a leak in the system. If you do have to deal with the hassle of an overflowing toilet, the damage can go from mild to severe if not addressed.
Enlist the Help of RV and Specialty Repair Specialists
If you have questions about troubling internal leaks to your RV, consult with our experts to learn which solutions will work best for you. Coach Specialists of Texas is a full-service RV repair company with services focusing on diagnostics, renovation, restoration and repair for your home on wheels. Contact us with the button below, and we can help fix your RV toilet filled with water using solutions that fit your budget.