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A Guide To Essential RV Bathroom Maintenance

Jan. 7 2021 Ownership Tips By Golden Gait Trailers & RVs

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RV bathroom maintenance is important, but it can be hard knowing exactly what tasks to take on. What do you need to clean? How often? What supplies should you use or not use? There are many questions needing answering.

Here at Golden Gate Trailers & RVs, we strive to make your life easier. We created the following guide to RV bathroom maintenance. If you have any questions or want to shop RVs for sale, chat with our experts. Our dealership is based in Concord, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

RV Toilet Maintenance

Why RV Toilet Maintenance Matters

Your camper toilet will require more maintenance than your home toilet. A home's plumbing system is connected to a municipal sewer system or underground septic tank. An RV's plumbing system flushes into a blackwater tank, which is a holding tank. Sewage odors are usually linked to tank issues, which are commonly due to user error and lack of proper maintenance.

Before You Leave

As part of the pre-trip camper inspection, be sure to look over the toilet seal. It's designed to prevent odors and keep water from leaking out. If the seal begins to harden, it can lead to unfortunate leaks. It's important to uncover a compromised seal as soon as possible. Catch a hardening seal quick enough and you can use plumber's grease to reseal the toilet. If too much wear occurs, you will be stuck replacing the entire seal.

During The Vacation

Remember that an RV toilet is different than your home toilet - namely, it is much more fragile and delicate. You may not be able to use your go-to toilet paper or cleaning products. Instead, be sure that anything you use is approved for your camper's toilet.

For example, you will likely need to use one-ply RV toilet paper. This will help prevent clogs. You will also need to use RV-specific products designed for dissolving waste and keeping odor in check. 

If you aren't sure what items to use, the RV's owner's manual should provide the answer. You can also get suggestions from your local RV dealer, such as the experts at Golden Gait Trailers & RVs.

Finally, only flush waste and toilet paper down the RV toilet. This means no other items such as hair, flushable wipes, sanitary products, or Q-tips.

Blackwater Tank Maintenance

Why Blackwater Tank Maintenance Matters

Over time, the blackwater tank will become full. If the tank isn't regularly emptied and cleaned, foul odors will result and back-ups can begin happening.

But it's also important not to empty the blackwater tank too soon. This can result in:

  • Difficulty getting the tank to empty
  • The waste and toilet paper not having enough time to break down
  • A painfully slow emptying process

During The Vacation

Wait until the tank is between two-thirds and three-quarters full. Locate the dump station, which is often found at the RV campground. Use a sewer hose to connect the tank valve to the dump station. When you've finished, double check that you have closed the tank's valve. You can also use dedicated chemicals that will sanitize the tank, which also helps prevent odors.

Shower Maintenance

Why Shower Maintenance Matters

The shower is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. The confined area combined with the high amounts of moisture can spell disaster. Plus, a lack of maintenance can result in unwanted buildup and backups. All these issues can range from unpleasant to expensive damage.

During The Vacation

After each shower, travelers should take a moment to wipe down the shower head and walls. This helps keep soap and hard water from building up and causing a problem.

Be sure to regularly empty the gray water tank. This prevents it backing up into the shower drain.

Finally, be sure to deep clean the shower after each trip. Make sure all the water goes down the drain so that it won't lead to mildew growth.

Deep Cleaning Of Bathroom Surfaces

Why Cleaning Bathroom Surfaces Matter

Bathroom surfaces can be a fantastic breeding ground for all types of bacteria. It's important to spot clean the RV throughout the vacation as well as do a deep clean.

During The Vacation

Only use cleaning supplies designed for your RV bathroom's surfaces. Otherwise, you could end up damaging the materials or fail to fully clean them. Common cleaning solutions include a diluted bleach solution or a vinegar-and-water mixture. Use paper towels and cleaner to address all the bathroom surfaces, such as the counters and mirror. Clean throughout the trip as grime and dust buildup, then do a deep cleaning once a week during the trip.

We hope you found this guide to RV bathroom maintenance helpful! For more advice or to shop RVs for sale, reach out to the friendly staff at Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. We are family owned and family operated for over 30 years. We are happy to help with anything you need! Explore our inventory online or stop by our dealership in Concord, North Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.