Pyramid Plug Solution
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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Pyramid Plug Solution
I was going to add this to the tips and tricks thread, but it is locked.
We found ourselves confronted with the pyramid plug in the black tank of our 5th wheel. The pyramid plug is when you (or the previous owner - long story) constantly drains the black tank. Solids pile up at the bottom of the pipe that runs to the tank from the toilet, eventually stopping up the pipe. Those of you that have had this happen know they can be a real pain to clear, sometimes warranting the removal of the tank. This one had been left to dry for a couple years before we bought it.
Solution - I fitted a five foot length of 1/4 inch Pex tubing to the end of a garden hose, with a small on/off valve. I turned the water off to the camper, opened the flush valve and jammed the tubing through the plug. Then I turned the hose on and slowly sawed back and forth through the plug. In about 30 seconds, water was flowing freely in the proper direction. After a couple minutes, the plug was completely gone.
I then fed my "water snake" up through the drain line and used it to flush the black tank from that end. I bought a clear five inch extension and cut the top off it so I could snake while connected to my blue boy.
After hearing horror stories from other campers about this dreaded pyramid plug, I think this "water snake" solution works really well. I wish I had pictures to share, but I really didn't want to touch my phone or camera during the process.
We found ourselves confronted with the pyramid plug in the black tank of our 5th wheel. The pyramid plug is when you (or the previous owner - long story) constantly drains the black tank. Solids pile up at the bottom of the pipe that runs to the tank from the toilet, eventually stopping up the pipe. Those of you that have had this happen know they can be a real pain to clear, sometimes warranting the removal of the tank. This one had been left to dry for a couple years before we bought it.
Solution - I fitted a five foot length of 1/4 inch Pex tubing to the end of a garden hose, with a small on/off valve. I turned the water off to the camper, opened the flush valve and jammed the tubing through the plug. Then I turned the hose on and slowly sawed back and forth through the plug. In about 30 seconds, water was flowing freely in the proper direction. After a couple minutes, the plug was completely gone.
I then fed my "water snake" up through the drain line and used it to flush the black tank from that end. I bought a clear five inch extension and cut the top off it so I could snake while connected to my blue boy.
After hearing horror stories from other campers about this dreaded pyramid plug, I think this "water snake" solution works really well. I wish I had pictures to share, but I really didn't want to touch my phone or camera during the process.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I was going to add this to the tips and tricks thread, but it is locked.
We found ourselves confronted with the pyramid plug in the black tank of our 5th wheel. The pyramid plug is when you (or the previous owner - long story) constantly drains the black tank. Solids pile up at the bottom of the pipe that runs to the tank from the toilet, eventually stopping up the pipe. Those of you that have had this happen know they can be a real pain to clear, sometimes warranting the removal of the tank. This one had been left to dry for a couple years before we bought it.
Solution - I fitted a five foot length of 1/4 inch Pex tubing to the end of a garden hose, with a small on/off valve. I turned the water off to the camper, opened the flush valve and jammed the tubing through the plug. Then I turned the hose on and slowly sawed back and forth through the plug. In about 30 seconds, water was flowing freely in the proper direction. After a couple minutes, the plug was completely gone.
I then fed my "water snake" up through the drain line and used it to flush the black tank from that end. I bought a clear five inch extension and cut the top off it so I could snake while connected to my blue boy.
After hearing horror stories from other campers about this dreaded pyramid plug, I think this "water snake" solution works really well. I wish I had pictures to share, but I really didn't want to touch my phone or camera during the process.
We found ourselves confronted with the pyramid plug in the black tank of our 5th wheel. The pyramid plug is when you (or the previous owner - long story) constantly drains the black tank. Solids pile up at the bottom of the pipe that runs to the tank from the toilet, eventually stopping up the pipe. Those of you that have had this happen know they can be a real pain to clear, sometimes warranting the removal of the tank. This one had been left to dry for a couple years before we bought it.
Solution - I fitted a five foot length of 1/4 inch Pex tubing to the end of a garden hose, with a small on/off valve. I turned the water off to the camper, opened the flush valve and jammed the tubing through the plug. Then I turned the hose on and slowly sawed back and forth through the plug. In about 30 seconds, water was flowing freely in the proper direction. After a couple minutes, the plug was completely gone.
I then fed my "water snake" up through the drain line and used it to flush the black tank from that end. I bought a clear five inch extension and cut the top off it so I could snake while connected to my blue boy.
After hearing horror stories from other campers about this dreaded pyramid plug, I think this "water snake" solution works really well. I wish I had pictures to share, but I really didn't want to touch my phone or camera during the process.
Or, as some creative folks did in one campground, you can straighten a coat hanger and try chipping away at it.
What do I do? I say, "sorry, I do not work on black water systems". Life is just too darn short!
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
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