Shower Drain

[MovingRock76]

Hello all
We've just become the proud owner of our very first motorhome, a 2006 Bessacarr E725. Just had our first weekend away and so naturally wanted to try everything out, including the shower, but the water didn't drain very well. We had used our levelling blocks on site but weren't quite level so potentially a gravity problem. In the case its not that, my question is for recommendations for anything we can put down the drain to try and clean/unblock it. From questions by others I've gathered that your normal household product isn't friendly to the motorhome pipes and seals. Some have said soda crystals, white vinegar, boiling water etc. Is there something specific like Fenwicks pipe and tank cleaner that will do the job? Motorhome specific drain rod/brush available?
Looking for the easier answer before I have to start pulling anything apart.
Thanks

 

[cliffanger]

We have legs on our van, and I can remember a lot of fiddling going on with levels to make sure the shower emptied. It empties every time now, no problem.

I think you’ll have to do the same with your levelling blocks. Hope you get it fixed.

I have no idea of the technicalities of it all though, it’s a’blue’ job

 

[Mick and Ruth]

Ours van is 2019 and I noticed the bathroom sink wasn't draining very well, tried everything but in the end got under van and took pipe off and rammed a flexible wire cleaning rod down it and eventually it broke the wall of soap and toothpaste that had built up over the years at the entrance to the under van waste tank.

 

[Jev88]

I had a 2000 Motorhome and in the end went under the van and took large red screw cap off and pushed cleaning rod up each pipe (sink, sink and shower) as they had separate entry points.

 

[DBK]

The shower on our Murvi has always been slow to drain. The problem is the shower outlet is barely above the level of the top of the waste pipe. This slows down draining if the waste is getting full or if we are parked sloping upwards to front as the waste tank is in front of the shower.

But the worst culprit is the Whale non-return valve which prevents waste water flowing back from the tank into the shower. After not many years the rubber in the valve hardens and it becomes reluctant to open to allow the water to drain. The only solution is to replace the valve at a cost of about £20.

None of the above may apply in your case but if you have a similar system it might help.

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[hja]

We use fenwicks grey water cleaner down all our drains from time to time. It might be worth putting a couple of kettles of really hot water down the drain. I assume washbasin and kitchen sink are ok so it’s not the drain from the waste tank? Because that responds well to a hose up it from outside!

 

[MovingRock76]

Ours van is 2019 and I noticed the bathroom sink wasn't draining very well, tried everything but in the end got under van and took pipe off and rammed a flexible wire cleaning rod down it and eventually it broke the wall of soap and toothpaste that had built up over the years at the entrance to the under van waste tank.

Thanks. Think I might end up doing similar

 

[MovingRock76]

We use fenwicks grey water cleaner down all our drains from time to time. It might be worth putting a couple of kettles of really hot water down the drain. I assume washbasin and kitchen sink are ok so it’s not the drain from the waste tank? Because that responds well to a hose up it from outside!

Wash basin and kitchen sink ok so problem isolated to shower (hopefully in one way). Thanks for your reply

 

[Whippet93]

Fenwicks waste tank cleaner or similar will help. Stuff like hot water,soda crystals or vinegar shouldn't do any harm. Probably best to get all the plug holes well cleaned out, as you don't know when it was last tackled, then make it part of your regular routine. I put a little cleaning solution down sinks/shower after each trip just to keep them clear and prevent smells. Also if you don't use much hot water, residues will build up.

 

[Jewellbags]

I annually clean our boiler with a white wine vinegar solution , which gets heated up and removed the scale . I then empty it via all the taps (and of course drains ) and haven’t had a problem from day one - though the shower needs regular soap and hair removal (yuk )

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Never ever use boiling water, it will deform the pipework. There is usually some sort of " p" trap, or bottle type gully in the pipe run before the grey waste tank, they can and do become blocked.
Mike.

 

[KNWH]

Bit late to the party here, and probably more relevant to houses rather than Motorhomes but, for what it’s worth, I use a bit of stiff wire as shown (Approx 400mm long)
Periodically, or if a sink or shower seems to be draining slowly, I stick this down the trap and use the cranked end to rotate it a couple of dozen times.
Any hair in the trap will get caught by the bent over end and form into a twisted plait which will then pull out in a satisfying, if rather disgusting, single strand.
Never had to use chemicals or other methods

 

[Reallyretired]

First check the trap isn't full of a previous owners hair. All my motorhomes have been preowned and although dealers valet the bits that show they don't bother with hidden bits.

 

[KNWH]

First check the trap isn't full of a previous owners hair. All my motorhomes have been preowned and although dealers valet the bits that show they don't bother with hidden bits.

 

[Nanniemate]

One of these works

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[Jewellbags]

First check the trap isn't full of a previous owners hair. All my motorhomes have been preowned and although dealers valet the bits that show they don't bother with hidden bits.

Not sure how we’d get to our shower traps

 

[Downsie]

When my basin wouldn’t drain I filled the basin then used a ‘wet and dry’ vacuum cleaner in very short bursts to suck up contents of basin and pipe. Had to repeat a few times but it worked well. Obviously opened waste tank valve so as not to create pressure on the pipe work.

 

[Bill-H]

BIG squirt of washing up liquid and a kettle or two of very hot water, left for 1/2 hr then repeated solved my slow drain. Being level as well helps, as mentioned above non return valves and little height difference from drain to tank doesn't flush all the soap and toothpaste debis down, resulting in a build up.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

BIG squirt of washing up liquid and a kettle or two of very hot water, left for 1/2 hr then repeated solved my slow drain. Being level as well helps, as mentioned above non return valves and little height difference from drain to tank doesn't flush all the soap and toothpaste debis down, resulting in a build up.

A word of caution with that procedure.Leaving very hot water in an unsupported pipe run can lead to pipe deformation and other problems. You're vehicle outfitters manual might have something to say on it.
Mike.

 

[Bill-H]

A word of caution with that procedure.Leaving very hot water in an unsupported pipe run can lead to pipe deformation and other problems. You're vehicle outfitters manual might have something to say on it.
Mike.

I'm sure many people drain their pasta, rice, potatoes etc straight from the gas hob to down the sink many times over in the course of a season

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

I'm sure many people drain their pasta, rice, potatoes etc straight from the gas hob to down the sink many times over in the course of a season

Again,not advised is the clear advice written in our vans manual. It could also be why so many people have problems with the drainage from sinks.
Mike.

 

[stuartholmes]

The shower on our Murvi has always been slow to drain. The problem is the shower outlet is barely above the level of the top of the waste pipe. This slows down draining if the waste is getting full or if we are parked sloping upwards to front as the waste tank is in front of the shower.

But the worst culprit is the Whale non-return valve which prevents waste water flowing back from the tank into the shower. After not many years the rubber in the valve hardens and it becomes reluctant to open to allow the water to drain. The only solution is to replace the valve at a cost of about £20.

None of the above may apply in your case but if you have a similar system it might help.

That's brilliantly helpful thank you!

Our Murvi has that problem & I thought we just had to live with it.
Won't be doing that (..'just live with..') now but quick extra clue please: how do you get to the offending article?

Cheers.

 

[stuartholmes]

Again,not advised is the clear advice written in our vans manual. It could also be why so many people have problems with the drainage from sinks.
Mike.

Totally agree, the sink drain is for (soapy) wate. Solids have their own special receptacle - even at home!
I can't understand how people expect any other plan to work.

 

[DBK]

how do you get to the offending article?

I'm afraid it's a crawl underneath on your back job. It is a bit tight under there, I go under in the space between the electric step and the rear wheel then wriggle across. You will see the waste pipe coming from the bottom of the shower tray and running towards the waste tank. The non-return valve is about halfway between the two.

 

[stuartholmes]

I'm afraid it's a crawl underneath on your back job. It is a bit tight under there, I go under in the space between the electric step and the rear wheel then wriggle across. You will see the waste pipe coming from the bottom of the shower tray and running towards the waste tank. The non-return valve is about halfway between the two.

Gee thanks!! I might wait for summer!!

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[DBK]

Gee thanks!! I might wait for summer!!

If you have a friendly garage with a pit or hoist it would be much easier to do it that way. It will take just a few minutes.

 

[Burge]

Bicarbonate of Soda mixed with warm water & followed by White Vinegar says the Wife.

 

[zac]

Our shower blocked whilst we were away this Xmas, luckily only on the last 4 days of our holiday. White vinegar and bicarb soda helped, but it did not unblock it. When we got home i used Fenwicks pipe cleaner and after pouring this down for a few days leaving overnight the blockage cleared, and now it drains no problem. Will keep some of this in the motorhome now and use it on the way home after each trip. Never thought of using anything before to be honest but don't want to do that again, although it has lasted nearly 8 years with no intervention so cant complain really.

 

[B+W vanman]

“Mr Muscle” Drain Gel works very well in a domestic bath/shower drain, it is heavier than water so flows down and dissolves the blockage, which is usually hair, soap and conditioner (this is like lard when mixed with hair)
I’m a newbie and so have no experience of its use in a van
A large bottle costs around £4, not sure if Funsters find that a bit too dear……..

 

[Nanniemate]

Our shower blocked whilst we were away this Xmas, luckily only on the last 4 days of our holiday. White vinegar and bicarb soda helped, but it did not unblock it. When we got home i used Fenwicks pipe cleaner and after pouring this down for a few days leaving overnight the blockage cleared, and now it drains no problem. Will keep some of this in the motorhome now and use it on the way home after each trip. Never thought of using anything before to be honest but don't want to do that again, although it has lasted nearly 8 years with no intervention so cant complain really.

Or wash more often