RV Toilet Maintenance and Repair

Your own bathroom may be one of the greatest comforts of owning an RV but it can also be high on the list of RV headaches if not properly maintained. The water used to flush your toilet, along with the seals, black drain valve and toilet chemicals work together to control odor. You must maintain these elements in order to keep your traveling home smelling sweet. Always leave at least one half of an inch of water in the bowl or your seal will dry and crack. Toilet bowl leaks can be cured by resealing. This is done at the bottom of the toilet and on the holding tank dump valves. Tighten a loose bowl (do not over-tighten) and check the seal or gasket for damage. The tank fill sensor can fail, so clean it periodically and replace it if there is need. If you cannot flush, try to use the manual turn valve on the back of the toilet. Inspect the supply line; there may not be enough water pressure. If the toilet is empty and will not hold water, your flush drain may be clogged. In order to keep your system from freezing in winter, remove all water from the toilet by flushing the lines with RV antifreeze. Only use antifreeze made specifically for RVs – other types are toxic to your RV. When buying RV toilet parts, always use what your manufacturer recommends to keep your toilet system functioning for years to come!