Sewage odor when showering

jerry · Post by **jerry** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 3:45 pm

Just returned from camping trip and once again we experienced a strong sewage odor. This seems to occur when the grey water valve is open and we shower with the bathroom fan on ( to get rid of the heat and humidity). Surely the shower has a p-trap in the drain. Has anyone else had this problem. I know that I could simply shut the grey water valve but I've had trailers before and didn't have this problem. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Jerry

06 30ft Cardinal WBLE fw
03 3/4 Ford PS

Rob & Cathy · Post by **Rob & Cathy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:01 pm

Well, I personally leave all valves closed then empty the tank when it gets 3/4 full. In regard to the p-trap I don't thing the shower or the toilet have traps. Of course I could be wrong. The only traps I've seen have been in the sinks. If you leave the grey water tank valve open are you remembering to close the valve when you dump the other tanks? Just a thought.

Rob

bop11 · Post by **bop11** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:37 pm

Jerry,
I agree with Rob. With the valves open and the exhaust fan running the sewer gas is being pulled right up from the city sewer into your unit. Next time try closing all of the dump valves and see if the smell doesn't return!
Let us know.

Double D's · Post by **Double D's** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:18 pm

We had the same problem with ours the first time we took it and hooked up to the sewer... Hubby closed the valve, and no more probs.

campswithcritters · Post by **campswithcritters** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:20 pm

I agree with Rob & Cathy. I never leave the valves open, both to prevent the smell you describe as well as to prevent cross-contamination of the tanks. I always allow the tanks to get a sizeable quantity of waste and dump them one at a time starting with the black water and using the 2 greys to wash out the hose.
Bruce

Luizianna · Post by **Luizianna** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:08 am

I have to agree with the others... When we did our PDI and the tech was explaining how to use everything, he said to leave all valves closed even at a full hookup site, and to dump black first, then the gray and galley to help wash out the hose, then DH backflushes for a very long time if time permits.

He leaves a few gallons of water in the black tank and I add water softener and a chemical pack, let that slosh around while driving home. We have never had an odor problem.