Wondering how to get dried poop out of an RV tank? You’re in luck.
Dried waste like poop and paper are a problem for your RV black tank. They can build up on the walls of your tank and cause your sensors to read your tank levels incorrectly.
And, in the worst case scenarios, they can cause a clog or worse… the dreaded RV poop pyramid. 💩
In this article, we’re diving into the two most common ways that waste dries in RV tanks and we provide a step-by-step solution to getting dried poop out of your RV tanks, no matter how it formed.
In This Article You’ll Learn:
- How to get dried poop off RV tank bottom and walls.
- How to get rid of an RV poop pyramid.
- What causes each issue.
- What supplies you’ll need to get rid of each issue.
- How to prevent them so you never have to deal with them again!
This post contains affiliate links.
Table of Contents
How to Get Dried Poop Out of RV Tank
Luckily, figuring out how to get dried poop out of an RV tank isn’t a difficult process. But unfortunately, this is a process that will take quite some time and can be very messy… and kinda gross!
The good news is that once you get your black tank fully clean, you can take measures to avoid this from ever happening again. We’ll include how to prevent this later in the article, but first, you’ll need some supplies.
Supplies Needed:
Most of these supplies can be purchased at your local RV supply store or department store—even Walmart has an RV aisle.
One of the best treatment for RV black tanks may only be available online, but we’ve included another option if you’re in a hurry and can’t wait to get it in the mail.
- PPE—personal protection equipment
- Gloves
- Safety Glasses
- A mask
- Clothing you can sanitize or dispose of
- Unique RV Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment
- Long, rigid device such as a sewer snake, broomstick you can throw away, or pex pipe (if there is a clog)
- RV Sewer Hose Kit (we recommend the Rhino Extreme)
- Clear RV Sewer Hose Attachment
- Non-potable water hose
- Bio-enzymatic formula breaks down waste without chemicals
- Naturally liquifies solid waste
- Breaks down all brands of toilet paper
- Prevents pyramid plugs and clogs
- Eliminates black tank odors
Alternative tank treatment options at your local store:
Dawn dish detergent and any RV holding tank treatment.
Black Tank Cleaning Devices:
If you don’t have a black tank flush system (and maybe even if you do), there are devices you can use to help clean your black tank.
The first kind of device works similarly to a black tank flush system and allows you to fill the tank with water from the sewer hose with a backflow nozzle.
The second kind of device is a tank rinser that you can insert directly into the toilet— this is helpful to remove dried on poop and paper even if you have a black tank flush system!
- Rhino Blaster Sewer Tank Rinser
- Valterra Master Blaster RV Tank Cleaning Wand
- Camco Swivel Stick Tank Rinser
- Easily clean stuck-on debris from RV back tank walls with this wand
- Powerful spraying wand goes into black tank to blast off stuck on solids
- Jet stream with backflow preventer allows water to rinse RV black tank
Different Ways Poop Can Dry and Harden in an RV Tank and How To Address Each Issue
It doesn’t matter what type of RV you have… This is a problem that can occur in any RV. There’s more than one way waste can solidify in a black tank, and each way can cause major problems! Let’s take a look at the two most common ways this issue can occur. Each section below has step-by-step instructions to address and correct the issue.
Dried Poop and Toilet Paper On RV Tank Sides and Bottom
One of the most common ways waste dries in an RV black tank is getting stuck on the sides and the bottom. This can lead to clogs and it can also make your RV black tank sensors work incorrectly. If your black tank reads as 1/3 full even when it’s empty, this might be the problem.
Related: Ultimate Guide to RV Plumbing System Basics: How it All Works
What Causes This?
Dried waste and paper on the walls and bottom of your RV toilet tank is very common. This problem is caused by not properly cleaning and rinsing your RV black tank after each use.
If you’re a part-time RV camper and you don’t fully rinse and clean your RV black tank after each trip, the remaining debris inside the black tank will dry and harden.
Or, maybe you just purchased a new-to-you RV camper and the previous owners didn’t clean the black tank properly—however it happened, it’s your job to fix it!
✅ To avoid this problem in the future, always be sure to rinse your black tank after dumping until the water runs clear.
The Best Method to Get Dried Poop and Toilet Paper Out of RV Tank Step-by-Step
How to Get Dried Poop Out of RV Tank (Stuck on Sides and Bottom)
The first step to this process will be to determine if there is a clog. If there is a clog, be sure to wear your personal protective equipment before you work on the clog.
Required supplies
- RV Digest-It or other RV black tank treatment
- PPE – gloves, glasses, mask
- RV sewer hose kit with clear attachment
- RV black tank flush attachment
- RV black tank cleaning wand
- Non-potable water hose
Total cost: USD 30
Duration
Total time: 3 hours
How To Get Dried Waste Out of RV Tank
1. Make Sure You Have an Open Water Draining Route
2. Close the Black Tank Valve
3: Add Several Gallons of Water to Black Tank and Add Unique RV Digest-It Tank Treatment (Add a full bottle for pyramid plugs)
4: Let Sit for a Minimum of 2 Hours, Longer if You Have Time (72 hours in the case of a pyramid plug)
5: Drain and Rinse Your RV Black Tank Until Clear
Repeat if Necessary, Drain and Rinse Until Clear
1: Make Sure You Have an Open Water Draining Route
Before you begin this entire process, be sure your black tank drain openings are clog free. You can do this by making sure your RV sewer hose is connected, adding water and opening the valve to see if it drains.
If there is a clog:
Wearing gloves, safety glasses, and a mask, it’s time to get to work unclogging your draining routes.
You can use a sewer snake, an old broom handle, or an old pex pipe. If the clog is in your toilet, simply work on the clog from the toilet side.
Do not use excessive force when clearing a clog, as this could cause tank or pipe damage.
If the clog is at the sewer drain, place a bucket below the drain opening. Then, using your snake, pipe, or broomstick, poke at the clog until it starts to drain.
If the tank is full of water, this may be very messy. Be sure you are protected and be ready to close the black tank gate valve as soon as the clog is cleared.
2: Close the Black Tank Valve
Once you are sure there is an open water-draining route, close your black tank valve. Now you can begin the process of getting the dried waste to dissolve from your black tank.
3: Add Several Gallons of Water to Black Tank and Add Unique RV Digest-It Tank Treatment
Add several gallons of water to your black tank and the recommended amount of RV Digest-It tank treatment. It’s recommended to use 2 ounces of treatment per 10 gallons of tank capacity.
If you have a lot of waste buildup, you may want to use more treatment.
If it’s very cold outside, add warm (not hot) water to the tank. RV Digest-It works best in temperatures between 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
4: Let Sit for a Minimum of 2 Hours, Longer if You Have Time
Let the mixture of tank treatment and water sit in your black tank for a minimum of two hours. If possible, let it sit overnight.
The enzymes in RV Digest-It will go to work dissolving solid waste and liquifying it so it can drain.
5: Drain and Rinse Your RV Black Tank Until Clear, Repeat if Necessary
After waiting a few hours or overnight, hook up your sewer hose and drain your black tank.
After you drain your black tank, fill it up with fresh water and dump again.
Use a clear sewer hose attachment so you can see if the water is running clear or not.
Repeat the filling and dumping of the tank until the water runs clear. You may need to repeat the treatment a second time.
Tips for Getting Dried Waste Out of Your Black Tank
The more water you use when treating your black tank, the better. If there is a lot of dried waste and paper, it will need a lot of water to help it drain.
If you have the time and ability, drive your RV around or tow your trailer down a bumpy road before draining it—after letting the treatment sit for a few hours. This will help mix everything up and help all the waste and water drain more efficiently.
It’s okay if you can’t drive it or tow it, you may just have to repeat the process a couple of times.
The RV Poop Pyramid
The RV poop pyramid is a notoriously feared and dreaded black tank issue. This “pyramid” is literally a pyramid of solid waste that builds up, hardens, and often causes a major clog!
This problem is harder to fix than dried waste on the bottom and sides of your tank, but never fear: it can be done. However, it takes a long time—even up to several days.
If you have a big camping trip planned, plan on using the campground toilets or bring a portable camping toilet along because you can’t use your RV toilet while treating the poop pyramid.
What Causes a Poop Pyramid?
The RV poop pyramid is caused by leaving your black tank open when hooked up to full hookups. Although it’s okay to leave your gray tank open and allow water to drain as you use it, you should never leave the black tank open.
When the black tank valve is left open, all the liquid waste and water goes right down the drain as you use the toilet. But the solid waste (poop) and toilet paper builds up each time you go to the bathroom. Without the help of water, it can’t dissolve and it will dry out. This forms a pyramid that, if left untreated, can build up all the way to your toilet valve.
The poop pyramid can then turn into a major clog when you fill the tank with water, because it’s one giant mass of dry, hardened waste.
✅ To avoid this problem in the future, NEVER leave your black tank valve open at a campground. Also, only dump your black tank once it reaches 2/3 full.
Want to get rid of all your black tank woes for good? Consider swapping out your RV toilet with an RV composting toilet and say bye-bye to black water forever.
How to Get Rid of the Poop Pyramid Step By Step
Depending on the size and severity of the poop pyramid in your RV camper, you may have to take additional steps or allow additional time to remove it. Be aware that you may have to repeat this process more than once to fully eliminate this clog.
1: Determine If The Toilet Is Clogged
Sometimes a poop pyramid can build up so high that it clogs the toilet line. The first step is to determine if your toilet is clogged. And, if so, determine if you’re dealing with a poop pyramid or just a clogged toilet. The symptoms are the same, but the treatment is different!
If there is a clog:
- If your toilet will not flush at all, turn off the fresh water valve.
- Push the foot pedal to open the toilet valve.
- Use a sewer snake, broom handle, or pex pipe to try and create an opening for water to flow through.
- It’s okay if the opening is small, as long as it allows water to drain.
- Keep working at it until you’ve created a channel for water and tank treatment to flow through.
2: Add Entire Bottle of RV Digest It to Tank Via Toilet
Once you know there is a free flowing channel for liquids, add an entire bottle of RV Digest-It to your black tank by pouring it into the toilet.
3: Fill Black Tank With Water
Next, fill your black tank with water.
If it’s cold outside, add several gallons of warm (not hot) water. RV Digest-It works best between 40-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Be sure to get the black tank as full as possible, you need a lot of water to treat a poop pyramid.
4: Let Sit For Minimum of 72 Hours (Manufacturers Recommendation)
A poop pyramid is a massive clog. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to help it dissolve faster—this problem needs a lot of time!
The manufacturer of RV Digest-It recommends letting the tank treatment sit for a minimum of 72 hours to allow the enzymes time to break down the dried waste.
5: Drain your RV Black Tank
After a minimum of 72 hours, it’s time to drain your RV black tank. Connect your RV sewer hose with a clear sewer hose attachment and begin to drain the tank.
6: Rinse Your RV Black Tank for 30 Minutes
After draining your tank, hook up your non-potable water hose to your black tank flush system. If you don’t have a built-in black tank flush system, you can rinse your tank with a few other options:
- Use the Rhino Blaster Black Tank Flush attachment
- Use a Black Tank Cleaning Wand
- Fill Your Black Tank with Water via Toilet Bowl
When rinsing your black tank, keep the gate valve open and watch what’s coming out of the clear sewer attachment. It may run clear at first and then start to look dirty or be full of debris, that’s why it’s recommended to rinse for at least 30 minutes. The longer you rinse, the more chance the water has of breaking up solid waste.
7: Fill and Drain Your Black Tank Again
After rinsing your black tank for 20-30 minutes, shut the drain valve and fill it up with clean water. Then, open the valve and drain the tank entirely. If all the water is clear, you may be done. If not, you may need to rinse again or repeat the entire process.
8: Repeat Process if Necessary
If your toilet is still draining slow, you can see build-up, or the water just won’t run clear, you may need to repeat the entire process.
Why We Recommend RV Digest-It
There are a lot of holding tank treatments out there. Why do we recommend this specific one?
RV Digest-It is all natural enzymes that essentially eat human waste. This is safe for our RV, safe for septic systems, and helps eliminate odors. Plus, it just works better than other holding tank treatments on the market.
How To Keep Your Black Tank Clean and Free of Clogs and Poop Pyramids
Once you’ve gone through the process of learning how to get dried poop and paper out of your RV black tank, you will NEVER want to do it again. Learning how your RV toilet works and how to maintain it is key. Here’s how to take care of your RV black tank.
Always Use a Lot Of Water With Each Flush
The key to preventing clogs in your RV black tank is making sure you have plenty of liquid in the tank to soften the solids. When you use your RV toilet, hold down the pedal and allow plenty of water to flow into with each flush.
Use RV-Specific Toilet Paper
RV specific toilet paper isn’t a marketing gimmick: it’s essential if you plan to put your paper down the toilet. RV specific toilet paper will break down and liquify, while most commercial toilet papers will just remain a soggy lump.
If you have a favorite toilet paper that isn’t RV-friendly and you just can’t part with, put it in a trash can instead of down the toilet.
Keep Your Black Tank Drain Closed Until Tank is 2/3 Full
Never, Never, Never leave your black tank drain open, even if you have full hookups. This is what causes the dreaded poop pyramid.
Also, you shouldn’t ever dump your black tank until it is at least 2/3 full.
If you have a camping trip that’s only a couple days long and your tank doesn’t fill to 2/3 full, you can add plenty of fresh water to the tank by holding down your toilet foot pedal before dumping.
The key to all of the solids draining along with the liquids is to have plenty of liquid in the tank.
Always Rinse Black Tank After Dumping (Until Water Runs Clear)
Every time you dump your black tank, you should rinse it. Even if you’re a full-time RVer and you know you’ll be using it again, rinse your tank.
Most newer RVs these days have a black tank flush system built-in. If you don’t have a black tank flush system or if it doesn’t work, you can use the Rhino Blaster attachment and/or the Valterra Tank Cleaning Wand.
Personally, I recommend using both.
After rinsing your tank, fill it 1/2 to 2/3 full of water and drain again, ensuring the water is flowing clear.
Use A Holding Tank Treatment
Holding tank treatments aren’t just for unclogging your RV holding tank.
They help prevent bad odors and keep your tank sensors clean. They also help break down solid waste as it enters the tank.
For ongoing tank maintenance, use RV Digest-It in your holding tank. The manufacturer recommends adding a few capfuls along with a few gallons of water after each dump to help maintain and keep your tank clean.
6: Always Add a Few Gallons of Water After Dumping
The last step to taking care of your RV black tank is more water.
After you dump and clean your tank, shut the gate valve and add a few gallons of water. You can do this by just holding down your toilet flush pedal.
Adding a few gallons of water to the tank before you even use the toilet helps ensure that there is always more liquid than solid inside your tank.
Black Tank Cleaning Methods From RVers Around the Web
There are many different methods of cleaning a black tank – we just prefer RV Digest-It because it works so well, but other methods can work, too! Here are a few methods from RVers on forums around the web.
Cleaning RV Black Tank with Ice
Cleaning your RV black tank with ice has been recommended by some RVers for several years as a method to clean your RV black tank.
The idea is that if you add a bunch of ice to your black tank and a little bit of water and toilet treatment and then drive down a bumpy road, the ice will break up the solids and help clean the tank.
The reports on whether or not this actually works is pretty mixed.
Every forum that we can find has mixed answers on every thread!
RVHQ Analysis: 2/10, try at your own risk
The Geo Method for Cleaning Your RV Black Tank
The Geo Method is a method of keeping your black tanks clean and odor free, but it’s not recommended as a solution for breaking up dried waste or clogs.
So what is it and does it work?
The Geo method involves adding water, Calgon fabric softener, dish detergent, and sometimes borax to your holding tanks.
The idea is that the mixture of Calgon, dish soap, and borax will help prevent waste from sticking to the sides of your tank. And the fragrances may offset any bad odors. Most people tout this method as a way to clean your holding tank sensors.
So, does it really work? What do RVers around the web have to say?
Similar to cleaning your RV black tank with ice, reports are mixed.
We searched a lot of RVing forums for the definitive answer to “does the geo method really work?” and answers vary.
RVHQ Analysis: 4/10, might work… but might not?
Recommended Products for Cleaning RV Black Tank:
There are a lot of products out there for cleaning and maintaining your black tank. We recommend you try several until you find what works best for you and what you like best!
Best Treatment for RV Black Tank
Here at RVHQ, we’ve tried many kinds of holding tank treatments. Our favorite by far is RV Digest-It. We don’t believe in putting harmful chemicals into our black tank or into the campground septic systems that we visit. That’s why we love this product – it’s all natural!
- Bio-enzymatic formula breaks down waste without chemicals
- Naturally liquifies solid waste
- Breaks down all brands of toilet paper
- Prevents pyramid plugs and clogs
- Eliminates black tank odors
Best RV Black Tank Flush System
If you don’t have a black tank flush system built in to your RV, we recommend a two-fold approach: using a backflow black tank flush like the Rhino Blaster, AND using a tank cleaning wand to reach the hard-to-reach spots.
- Easily clean stuck-on debris from RV back tank walls with this wand
- Powerful spraying wand goes into black tank to blast off stuck on solids
- Jet stream with backflow preventer allows water to rinse RV black tank
Conclusion: How to Get Dried Poop Out of RV Tank
Now that you know how to get dried waste out of your RV black tank, you’ll never want to have to do the process again.
Luckily, dried on waste and poop pyramids can be prevented.
Follow proper black tank maintenance and operations and you’ll be golden!
Always remember: never leave your black tank open at a campground, and only dump it once it reaches 2/3 full.
