Why is my travel trailer shower not draining?

The Problem The gray tank valve is open, but little to no water drains out. Or, water is backing up in the sink or shower. If this is the case for your RV, make sure both tanks are empty. If a full tank is not the problem, you likely have a clog caused by hair, grease, or food buildup in your tank or drain.

Can you put Drano in a RV shower drain?

I would not recommend using any caustic drain cleaners such as original Drano in the plumbing of an RV. Not because of the possibility of it damaging your RV’s pipes, but because it could also damage the rubber seals on the dump valves or even the holding tanks themselves.

Does Drano damage RV plumbing?

Most of the tools, chemicals, and equipment designed for use in your home plumbing cannot be used in your RV plumbing because of the way its systems are configured and the materials with which it is made. For example, a plunger will not unclog your RV’s toilet and Drano will damage your pipes and fittings.

What should I do if my RV shower drain is clogged?

Of course, as soon as you notice a clog has developed, the first course of action is to unclog the drain as quickly as possible. Your RV shower isn’t going to do you any good as long as the drain is plugged up, so this is not a task which can be put off until a later date.

What happens if you have a clogged toilet in an RV?

RV plumbing is more sensitive than the plumbing in a typical home. Black and gray tanks can easily become clogged with waste (in the case of the black tank) and food, hair, or grease (in the case of the gray tank). Clogs will render your RV toilet unusable and can result in smelly gray water backing up in your sinks and shower.

What happens if you put plunger in RV shower?

Here are some tips to consider when it comes to your RV’s shower drain. Household plungers can damage the delicate structures, piping, and drain in your RV shower. They also can cause a build-up of pressure — something your household plumbing system doesn’t experience — which can damage seals in your tanks.

Why is there putty in my RV shower?

Even poor construction practices with your RV can result in excess plumber’s putty around the drain, which is very sticky and can fall down into the drain and trap debris. That’s why regular and thorough cleanings of your shower drain are so critical.

Why is there stuff in my RV shower?

Most RVers feel the way we do about what’s in the drain, but that’s where rotting hair, globby soap, and skin and other bodily debris can get trapped and start making trouble. Even poor construction practices with your RV can result in excess plumber’s putty around the drain, which is very sticky and can fall down into the drain and trap debris.

Why is my hair clogging up my shower drain?

Long hair tends to clog up drains faster than short hair, but even short hair can be troublesome. In order to get your drain running right, you have to remove this buildup of hair. While companies make special tools to remove the hair, you can make your own with just a coat hanger.