Grey water tank

[Treecol]

We noticed last time we used the MoHo there was a very strong musty smell which we finally tracked down to the plug holes so it obviously was coming from the grey waste tank. We've sterilised the other water tank then drained it into the grey tank, letting it sit for 24hrs before emptying, but it's still a bit musty. We found some caravan toilet flush in the cupboard which we've diluted and poured down the drains and the smell is gone. We'll empty this down our drain at home before we leave.
Any ideas how to prevent this in the future?

 

[Mr porky]

There is nothing you can do to stop grey waste smelling musty, however emptying it more frequently and flushing the tank more helps.

 

[Treecol]

Ok thank you. So what we've done really.

 

[Mr porky]

Ok thank you. So what we've done really.

Some put a cleaner or a couple of litres of cheap coke cola In the tank before setting off for home then empty at home, this does remove all the caked on gunge in the tank.

 

[Two on Tour]

We use Thetford Tank Freshener which we find keeps the waste tank wiff at bay, we also make sure the plugs are in the plug holes when driving.

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[Pausim]

If you have traps on the drains they may have dried out during the lockdown, if you have not used the shower recently it is worth pouring a little water down the drain holes to refill the traps. You may also have an inspection hole on the top of your grey water tank, if so hosing down the inside of the tank with a jet of water may help shift the grunge.

 

[knokinonabit]

When our MH is parked up for any length of time I always leave the grey water drain tap open to prevent build up of smells.
I usually do this just as we leave the last place where we camped.

 

[martin2603]

We use tank fresh but always leave plugs in the sinks and shower drains. No smell!

 

[rosalan]

After using Coca Cola in the tank, it tastes awful!

 

[Deneb]

I always pour a few drops of bio washing liquid down each drain hole after every time I empty the waste tank. The waste water smells quite pleasant and not had any bad smells coming up the pipes, even with the van having been laid up from last November until a few weeks ago.

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[kevenh]

Watching what goes down the plug can help.
So, when doing the washing up remove greasy food, oil, etc. from plates & pans before putting in the sink.
And things like water from cooking pasta will be better diverted away from the grey water tank.

Pouring cheap sodas down the shower & sink plug holes works well. We’ve tried that after seeing that (& most of the above ) on MHF

 

[Treecol]

All really great tips, thank you. Now I'm wondering about washing as we're away for a month. I don't know any sites that have washing facilities open. Obviously I can hand wash most things but as we'll be on the move every day, not sure how it's all going to work tbh.

 

[TCG]

Great stuff

 

[Deneb]

Great stuff


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It certainly is, and it fixed my smelly tank and stuck level indicator problem, but since having used a few drops of bio liquid down the plug holes after each time I empty the tank, I've never had the need to use it again

 

[Spriddler]

Now I'm wondering about washing as we're away for a month. I don't know any sites that have washing facilities open.

Where are you going? Home or abroad?
Many continental supermarkets have laundrettes.
I'm told that the CAMC sites have their washing machines useable.

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[chris scudder]

I always leave the drain tap open when parked up.

 

[B-well]

After using Coca Cola in the tank, it tastes awful!

Not with a drop of Rum no ice.

,

 

[Jev88]

A fairly simple help is to extend the sink outflow pipes - make the pipe do a loop the loop before disappearing off to the grey tank - it works like a U-bend / trap system. Slows the emptying of the sink a bit but gives you the liquid barrier against smells.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Before we leave a site I dissolve a dishwasher tablet in a gallon of hot water in the sink, then drain it into the tank so it sloshes round for the next few hours. The gharrrrstly stuff it fetches out is amazing... And satisfying

 

[Jev88]

Oh, and just remembered. Previous owner blocked off the air vent under the MH at the top if the grey waste tank? No idea why, so i drilled a new one with a little elbow joint - allows the grey tank to "breath" rather than becoming fully anaerobic if left for long periods.

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[mitzimad]

ours smells when we open the windows whilst driving must suck smells back through the piupes so its plugs in before we move ive cleaned all but one small section of piupe work and had the hatch out of the tank, which was suprisingly clean inside but nothing makes any difference

 

[Riverbankannie]

All really great tips, thank you. Now I'm wondering about washing as we're away for a month. I don't know any sites that have washing facilities open. Obviously I can hand wash most things but as we'll be on the move every day, not sure how it's all going to work tbh.

You will probably find that on a month’s trip you don’t want to move every day. Rest days are good. Maybe pick a site with laundry facilities for bedding once or twice and just do clothes in a bucket as you need to. A few things hung up over night outside will usually be dry enough to hang in the shower while you drive next day. I carry a couple of bungee lengths with hooks each end to quickly string up somewhere.

 

[maison]

We carry bleach tablets placing one in each plug hole. As water runs down the plug hole the tablet dissolves making a mild bleach solution. Travelling along “swishes” it around the inside of the tank and we don’t have any smells.

We originally bought them in France but they are now available in most British supermarkets, (although they are still cheaper in France).

 

[tonyidle]

Leaving the drain open when the tank is empty and not in use works for me.

 

[125BEER]

I always leave the drain tap open when parked up.

I hope you decant the precious liquid into a suitable container and part of your daily instructions from SWMBO empty it appropriately

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[Landy Andy]

As above. I leave my drain open all the time I‘m not loaded. No smells at all.

 

[Pausim]

I would have thought that if they are missing, it would be well worth fitting new traps that create a proper water seal to stop smells. Might be tricky for the shower but hand basin and sink should be accessible.

 

[Treecol]

Where are you going? Home or abroad?
Many continental supermarkets have laundrettes.
I'm told that the CAMC sites have their washing machines useable.

We're staying in the UK. I was thinking of drying things hanging in the shower whilst we're out during the day. But towels and bedding is my concern. I'll have to see if launderettes are open in any towns we may be near.

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Watching what goes down the plug can help.
So, when doing the washing up remove greasy food, oil, etc. from plates & pans before putting in the sink.
And things like water from cooking pasta will be better diverted away from the grey water tank.

Pouring cheap sodas down the shower & sink plug holes works well. We’ve tried that after seeing that (& most of the above ) on MHF

I can tell you that rinsing garlic and seafood down the sink definitely doesn't help, as I learnt from experience.

Emptying the grey water, then adding a crushed dishwasher tab + a couple of litres of warm water and going for a drive sorted it.

 

[DJT]

Great stuff


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