twojays206
07-11-05, 07:30 PM
We seem to get an odor whenever the shower water is turned on in RV. Don't seem to notice an odor at bathroom or kitchen sinks or the toilet either. To fix this, we have tried different brands of gray water tank chemicals, but nothing has worked so far. We've even taken the shower hose down and cleaned the hose and shower head. Any ideas on how to correct this smelly problem? Thanks. :wall:
You may have a bad atmosphereic vent. Check under the bath sink. Follow the drain plumbing to where it turns verticle. It may be hidden behind a panel or something, use a flashlight and a small mirror to help look. There should be a cap at the top of the pipe. This screw on cap is a vent that is supposed to allow air into the grey tank but not allow air out. I would first find and check the atmospheric vent. Unscrew the little devil and take a look at the rubber seal. This is what lets air in and not out. you can clean off the vent and try to blow air up through it (redneak way) or try to shine a flashlight up through it. Light will be visible from the top side comming past the rubber seal if it is bad. You will have to look in through the slots at the sides ( you will see what I mean).It doesn't take much and these are cheap so you might just want to replace it. I would check this first and see if this has taken care of the problem, it gets more complex from here. The better vents have a little spring that forces the seal up against the body of the vent.
Air is probly getting out of one of the tanks and into the coach so also try checking the drain plumbing for breaks or cracks, loose fittings, ect, look under the shower through the plumbing access panel and check the drain plumbing. You would be surprised how many coaches have no sealant closing off the hole that the drain plumbing passes through the floor to the tank.
Your roof vents may be plugged.. If so it is likely a wasp nest. So before climbing up to check the vents watch for wasp activity, be careful and make sure that there is not a live wasp nest up there before climbing up. It is hard to leave in a hurry without falling when attacked by wasps. ( believe me I know) Wasps like to build nests in vent pipes, roof air conditioners, ect.