How to dump RV waste at home
If you have ever thought about “how to dump RV waste at home”, you have found the right article. The campervan lifestyle is full of adventure, exploration and on this journey, you accumulate waste. Waste comes in a variety of forms. Firstly in the form of household waste, which all end up in classic bin liner. Then you have the used water waste from the likes of the shower and sink, which finds its way into the grey water tank. Finally, sewage waste accumulates into the black water tank until it needs emptying. Therefore all tanks need emptying at some point safely and responsibly. In this article, we will explore how you can go about doing this in the right way.
How not to dispose of RV waste
Littering
To know what is right, you must know what is wrong. Wrong in regards to disposing of RV waste comes in a variety of forms. Straight up littering is first and foremost illegal, but it also causes harm to the environment. The mentality of leaving a mess for somebody else to sort has given the campervan lifestyle a bad reputation in some cases as campsites can be left trashed and in a bad way. So whether you throw a packet out of a window or leave a campsite covered in trash cans, it leaves a mess for somebody else to sort. Take your litter with you in your campervan until you can dispose of it responsibly.
Polluting
The likes of sewage waste must be disposed of safely and responsibly. At home, sewage flows into drains to be processed at the water treatment plant. Therefore RV sewage must join this process. A small number of RV owners decide to dispose of raw sewage out in nature. This is not only illegal but can have a hugely detrimental impact on the environment. Raw sewage can pollute waterways, killing wildlife. It can even end up back in the water system. Don’t do this.
Holding onto it
If you never get rid of waste, it accumulates. This point is worth mentioning to avoid a disaster such as the sewage tank overflowing. This is not the indicator you need to find out you have too much waste. When renting a campervan, this is worth checking out before you hit the road. Furthermore, if you own an RV, you must empty it before you store it away. Stagnant water and sewage is not healthy for the RV and can stink it out. In some cases, stagnant waste can end up blocking the flow, and that’s a job nobody wants to sort.
Methods of how to dump RV waste at home
An obvious solution is to dump RV waste at home. Houses are all hooked up to the main sewer disposal system. Therefore you must find the right outlet for the waste to be safely disposed of. House disposal of waste is totally legal. You have to find a practical way to do it. Furthermore, houses have general waste and recycling bins and even food waste bins in some cases. Therefore on your travel, you could separate this waste ready to dispose of it at home. Of course, this includes the issue of having on board with you, which could be unpleasant if it is not stored securely away. Imagine you have just pulled up in your RV at home. It’s time to explore methods of getting rid of your RV waste.
Empty holding tanks into the sewers using a sewer hose
First things first, you must wear protective clothing when dealing with raw sewage. The pandemic is useful in one way as using a mask is essential when disposing of sewage, in conjunction with eye protection, gloves and protective clothing. At all costs, you don’t want to come into contact with the sewage as it could make you seriously ill and make a serious mess. Once you are fully in protective clothing, you can begin the process of emptying the holding tanks.
- First of all, you must locate the sewer system access port at your property. Whether it is a septic tank or sewer line, a small pipe sticks out of the ground. It’s this pipe that gives you access to the sewerage system.
- Park your RV as close to the access port as possible. The closer the betters the sewage has less chance of spilling, the closer it is to the access port.
- Remove the end caps on the RV and access point and attach the sewer hose securely.
- Ensure the sewer hose is as vertical as possible with no sag or bends to let the sewage flow without blockages.
- Pull the valve to empty the sewage tank. Hold the sewer hose securely until it is empty.
- Close the tank using the valve, then fill with water and open to rinse it through.
- Close the valves again. Disinfect the tank and the sewer hose then the process is complete.
This process can be used for any holding tank, such as the water tank or sewage tank. The goal is to make sure all connections are secure so no waste spills. For this process, you need a sewer hose. But what if you get a blockage?
Using a macerator pump
Whilst using a sewer hose may be adequate to dispose of waste, this could result in problems. A common problem could be a blockage of solid waste. This can stop the flow of waste and stop the RV waste emptying process in its tracks. A macerator pump can eradicate this issue. It’s a pump that grinds up the solid waste, which ensures an even liquid flow meaning you can empty your tank. A macerator pump can be used in conjunction with a sewer hose to give the best method to dispose of waste. If your budget can afford this combination, It would be highly recommended to purchase both products.
The bucket method
If you don’t have a sewer hose, you can use a simple alternative, although it is not for the faint-hearted. You can empty the tanks into a bucket. This takes 2 people to coordinate safely. One to open and close the tank valves while the other matches this to filling the bucket. It would be only recommended to do this as a last resort. Yes, it’s cheap but with this comes a lot of problems. You have to carry the sewage to flush down a toilet so it may spill as you take it over. You may end up getting sewage on yourself. As well as this, imagine how many to and from trips to the toilet, it would take to empty a 100-litre waste tank. Investing in a sewer hose may be a smart idea, and the reality of using a bucket is grim.
How to dump RV waste at home summary
To conclude, disposing of RV waste at home is convenient and easy as long as you have the right equipment. It’s good practice to monitor waste levels, so you never encounter the nightmare of them being full and overflowing. When it comes to emptying at the minimum, have a sewer hose to do it safely along with protective clothing. Disposing of RV waste is a less glamorous part of the campervan lifestyle; however, it is of paramount importance. When disposing of RV waste, do it safely and securely. Always never take any risks.