Drain Cleaning Tips »
How Do I Unclog RV Holding Tanks?

You can hydro-jet clogged RV holding tanks using an attachment for your pressure washer that's designed to clean black- and gray-water tanks.

RV holding tanks can clog when solidified waste and struvite accumulate inside the tanks and drain lines. When this happens you may notice:

• persistent odors inside the vehicle,
• holding tank sensors that fail to operate reliably,
• lack of flow when attempting to empty a holding tank, and
• several clogged plumbing fixtures such as a toilet, shower or sink.

When chemical treatments and low-pressure garden hose sprayers fail to solve these problems, you can power wash your tanks using an RV tank cleaning attachment powered by your pressure washer.

Note: an electric pressure washer rated 1.2 GPM and compatible tank cleaning attachment are recommended for safer and more thorough hydro-jetting of RV holding tanks, sensors and drain lines.

The Clog Hog RV tank cleaner is a hydro-jetting attachment for your pressure washer with these features required to clean holding tanks:

• a compact nozzle-end that's specially designed to clean the inside surfaces of RV tanks,
• a flexible, steel-braided jetter hose to more easily push and twist through RV drain lines,
• a hands-free control valve that frees both of your hands to work at the RV drain opening, and
• a patented powered inline filter that keeps the nozzle jets spraying with maximum force.

Unlike conventional sewer jetters, the Clog Hog RV tank cleaner has a nozzle with four high-angle jets that provide superior cleaning coverage to more thoroughly clean the inside surfaces of tanks.

To Clean Your RV Holding Tanks

You can insert the tank cleaner nozzle through your roof vent or an inside drain opening, but it's usually easiest to use the bottom tank drain opening.

• Using a 1‑1/2" hole saw that attaches to your drill, you can cut a top access port in a clear RV sewer extender fitting, sanding smooth any sharp edges from the cut. Then connect the extender to the RV tank dump line and insert the tank cleaner nozzle through the access port. This minimizes spillage and allows you to inspect the dirty residue as it flushes out.
• Before you begin, put on fluid-resistant work gloves and eye protection.
• Connect the RV tank cleaner to your pressure washer, open both RV dump valves, turn on the pressure washer, and then guide the tank cleaner nozzle at least two feet into the drain opening before you open the control valve to pressurize the nozzle.
• Maintain the flow of pressurized water and allow the nozzle to pull itself into the drain until you feel resistance as it reaches the end of a tank. You can also push in the line with one hand as you loop and rotate some of the hose in your other hand to help twist through any transitions in the drain.
• Once the tank cleaner passes into a tank, find and shut off the RV dump valve that can fully close; this is your indication that the tank cleaner is inside the other tank.
• Pull back on the line, move forward until you reach the end of the tank, and repeat until no more dirty residue flushes out. Do not insert the tank cleaner so far that it could loop inside the tank and tie up.
• Turn off the tank cleaner control valve, pull the tank cleaner out until you can shut both dump valves, open the other valve, and repeat to clean the other tank.
• After you have finished cleaning the tanks, pull the tank cleaner out. Use care to turn off the control valve and stop the flow of pressurized water before the nozzle reaches the drain opening.

You can visit the Clog Hog RV tank cleaner product page for more information, including a list of compatible pressure washers.

If you have questions or comments please contact us.