Garypowell
Well-known member
We were leaving Raleigh, NC yesterday and as usual I cleaned out the black tank. After the initial dump I had the tank wash on with the gate valve closed. I am sure many of you do this after the initial drain. I put a fair amount of water in the tank and then get another good “whoosh” when I open the valve. Then close the valve and let it run for another minute to get some water in the tank and then close down the operation.
Well for the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] time in 17 years I forgot what I was doing….and let the tank fill all the way up. I was over yacking to another RV’r and simply forgot. We found out my mistake (probably after the tank was full for 10 minutes or more) when Linda flushed the toilet and there was an eruption.
I realize by now many of you are getting this horrible image in your heads. Fortunately, it was not that bad (of course don’t ask Linda). She let the peddle go quickly and the “seal” held again. Obviously she came looking for me.
When I heard her voice I knew exactly what had happened and rushed over to the Rig and shut off the flush water inlet. Wow….did I get a whoosh when I opened the gate valve. The tank has probably not been cleaner since we purchased it!
I write this for two reasons:
1. Confession is always good for the soul and I think writing this story will not only help me….but it just might help someone else too.
2. I have a question from this experience…..why did the water not blow out of the vent and on to the roof? I had the pressure regulator at 55 PSI so there was a fair amount of pressure inside the tank for 10 minutes or so.
My only guess is that the column of water was “heavy” enough to counterbalance the force from the inside of the tank. But again 55 pounds……
So I am curious if anyone with the right kind of experience has a though on why nothing blew out the top.
I did a thorough inspection and the tank was still intact. No rupture or leak. Oh, and it only took two towels to mop up the “water” on the bathroom floor….and nothing got on Linda!
Well for the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] time in 17 years I forgot what I was doing….and let the tank fill all the way up. I was over yacking to another RV’r and simply forgot. We found out my mistake (probably after the tank was full for 10 minutes or more) when Linda flushed the toilet and there was an eruption.
I realize by now many of you are getting this horrible image in your heads. Fortunately, it was not that bad (of course don’t ask Linda). She let the peddle go quickly and the “seal” held again. Obviously she came looking for me.
When I heard her voice I knew exactly what had happened and rushed over to the Rig and shut off the flush water inlet. Wow….did I get a whoosh when I opened the gate valve. The tank has probably not been cleaner since we purchased it!
I write this for two reasons:
1. Confession is always good for the soul and I think writing this story will not only help me….but it just might help someone else too.
2. I have a question from this experience…..why did the water not blow out of the vent and on to the roof? I had the pressure regulator at 55 PSI so there was a fair amount of pressure inside the tank for 10 minutes or so.
My only guess is that the column of water was “heavy” enough to counterbalance the force from the inside of the tank. But again 55 pounds……
So I am curious if anyone with the right kind of experience has a though on why nothing blew out the top.
I did a thorough inspection and the tank was still intact. No rupture or leak. Oh, and it only took two towels to mop up the “water” on the bathroom floor….and nothing got on Linda!