RV Tank Cleaning

Tank Cleaning 

By Safe Journey RV, LLC

When we first started RVing I had never heard of having our black & gray tanks cleaned.  I thought a drop-in pod, emptying, and an occasional tank flush was all that was needed.  During a stay at Canopy Oaks Resort in Lake Wales, FL we noticed a company that was onsite cleaning tanks and again wondered why would we need & pay for that.  Fast forward a few months and we met Sue Rasmussen with Royal Flush.  We decided to let her clean the tanks of our 8-month-old 5th wheel.  WOW!  We were shocked at what she was able to get out of our tanks.  We had been using a great tank enzyme and figured she would get nothing, that was not the case.  It definitely was not as bad as it could have been had we not been using a great product.  It was so interesting I decided I wanted to learn more about what Sue knew.  

So here we are.  We have added Hydro Jet Tank cleaning to our certified RV tech business.   

When we arrive on site to clean tanks, we ask the customer to give us time to set up our equipment then they are invited to come watch what we do.  They always tell us how they use tank additives and flush their tanks and let us know they emptied right before we arrived and there is most likely nothing in the tank.   They begin to watch and smell.  We all know what goes in the black tank.  We expect it to stink.  It is oddly satisfying how much comes out of that “newly drain & flushed” tank.  We move to the gray tank which most don’t realize how that tank can be worse than the black.  The grease & food particles from the kitchen sink begin to rot & mold.   The hair, skin, and soap residue settle from the bathroom sink(s) and shower.  And then there are those rigs that have a washer/dryer that contributes to the dirt, bacteria, and soap scum.  Even the best additives will not totally resolve the funk and smell. Not only do our tank cleanings help remove all these issues, including struvite, but the majority of the time the customer will also notice their tank sensors are reading properly again.  Struvite? It is similar to a calcium buildup or “kidney stone”.  Typically, it develops from the off gassing of urine & bacteria and builds up on the tank walls.  That’s not all that has been found by tank cleaning specialists.  We have found plastic plugs from the holes that were drilled out to add piping, “flushable” wipes (not RV flushable), feminine products, balls of pet fur, beer cans, kids toys, and many other items that should not be in those tanks. Some customers don’t even realize what has gotten into their tanks.   

We suggest a good tank cleaning every 6-12 months depending on usage.  The best tank additives we have tried are Unique, Happy Campers, and Just Science.   All are enzyme based with no harsh chemicals.