RV Holding Tank Odor Control 😵 - Air Admittance Valves
We haven't had RV holding tank odor problems in years, but after a recent two-week boondocking stay, we had a BAD gray water smell. Watch the video to see what the problem was, and how easy it was to fix it.
Check out the post on our website for more info:
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Пікірлер: 197
It’s hilarious that after owning a motorhome for 12 years you still learn something new and I never new these things existed and how they operated.....right after I watched this, I went searching under the sinks and sure enough, there they are! Lol.....thanks guys!!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
We keep learning too! 😁
I had no idea these valves existed, this may have just fixed my own tank odour problem. Thanks.
@kurtcleveland8581
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for a very informative video
I knew about replacing the AAV. Another issue is that soap scum and stuff adhere to the grey tank walls much like on shower walls. My solution was to install a Tornado Rotary tank flush on my grey tank. You'd be surprised what remains in these tank after being drained. Only a few RV manufactures offer a tank flush for the grey tanks.
Definitely an issue that everyone can relate to at some point in RV life. 😯 Great graphic illustrations of the set up really help make “scents” of it all. 😉And how encouraging it is such an easy fix! Thanks for the link to the upgraded air intake valve.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Well well Nikki! We see what you did there. And on Patreon. thanks so much! ☺️
Thank you. I think this has helped with the mysterious smells. I used the baggie trick. This is a great video!
I learn something new every time you guys make a video... I just wish you had more of them. TY for all your time you put in to making your videos the way you do. Even the simple ones. Will be look for your next one...
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! 😊
Now I have to go look at the plumbing again! Not that I've had this problem, I just like seeing and understanding things you show. I love your guys' channel and continue to get great information from your posts. Thank you!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Aw, thanks Jen! You made our day! Knowledge is power!! 😃
Everytime someone tells me they are getting an odor from their RV tanks this is the first thing I tell them to check. You are correct that the grey water odor can be be pretty strong. Waste water is waste water. Great job guys and thumbs up, Lou
Another well-timed RVGeeks episode. Yesterday, I drove our rig back to her temp storage and left an air vent up on the roof. Yep, that suction effect pulled up some nasty gases from my traps under the shower. In my case, I'm thinking the water in the p-trap must've evaporated because it has been pretty warm and we weren't using the shower. NEVER. AGAIN. Checking the AAVs this week.
I am one of the worst at being a "Handyman," so this video and your others are really worth while. We had a terrible grey tank odor in our first used RV and wish I knew then what I know now.
Very educational video guys. THANK YOU! I've heard of those valves and I can hear mine whenever we use the kitchen sink doing it's job, but I've never actually known (our though to learn, LOL) how it works. Thanks to your lovely visual diagram, now I do. Yay!. At least with me, it always helps to see what is actually going on with the plumbing. I also had no idea that the P trap was used for preventing odors by "trapping" some water. I just though it was designed to catch anything that accidentally went down the drain. LOL! I've heard of this type of smell happening, and thanks to you guys, I'm prepared to fix the problem if it occurs. Thanks guys for all you do! Your dedication and hard work is much appreciated. As I've commented in your prior videos, you guys were one of the first channels we ever started to watch, and we learned so much binging on your how to videos. Still to this day, one of my favorites that I watched at least 10 times by now is your driving course. So informative and it definitely stuck in my brain when I was towing our fifth wheel for the first time. Safe Travels! Peace & Love! Have a Glamtastic Day! 👍😀🌈🤪🌈😎🌈😍
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks guys!
Thanks for sharing this information. We don’t dry camp very often yet, but will probably do more now we are out west again. We also plan to install BattleBorn batteries, which will make it easier to dry camp. Safe travels 😊🇺🇸
I didn’t even notice the existence of this valve before while I had been struggling with stinky odor for several months which was quite painful. As soon as I wrapped around this valve with plastic, it’s just gone like magic!! You guys are really the guru of RV life. Really appreciate you and this video.
@RVgeeks
4 жыл бұрын
That’s awesome! It’s always great to hear we’ve been helpful. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. ☺️
How ironic - this exact thing happened to us this past week. I only started to suspect that valve this morning, and then saw your video this evening. Ordering the replacement valve now!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Perfect! 😄
Nice to know there's a quality upgrade for this particular component. I'll probably just go ahead and replace both grey water valves. Great info, delivered without fan fair, as always. BTW, we're in the woods right now for a month enjoying the Amish country hills. Be well, thanks again for the info. Neil
Hmmm, never really thought about the idea of the vent under the sink failing. Pretty good video none the less.
Had odor in my half bath a while back. Replaced all three valves in kitchen, half bath and vanity since if one is going bad the others can't be too far behind. Total cost was less than forty dollars for all three. Used the same valves that you guys put in yours. Don't forget to put some silicone grease on the threads to prevent odor from seeping past the threads.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Casey. Nice! Grease should be okay, but we just used pipe tape, since the Studor valves call for it.
We were just down at Sicard's RV in Smithville Ontario and there was a film crew there. It didn't take me long to peace together and realize it was the RVer's crew and I mentioned you and the Morton's and yep it's Anthony Nalli and Lisa...what a thrill chat we had. Small world!! He gave me a nice cap. WOW!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
That’s so awesome, Jerry! We’ll be talking with Anthony this evening and we’ll mention you told us about meeting him at Sicard. He’s an awesome guy and we adore Lisa too. 😄 We’re just jealous that you got your cap before we did! 😂
@jerrydaminato743
5 жыл бұрын
@@RVgeeks Sooo. funny.
Awesome video you helped me today its 110 outside and my trailer smelt bad
Buying a couple of those Studor vents...thanks for another informative video!
I love John's look on his face when he describes the strong, offensive odour that emanated when he opens the cabinet door under the sink. *"Ewww!"* I don't know why, but I was on the floor, laughing! 🤣 I've smelled offensive smells whenever I open the trash compactor.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Glad we made you laugh, Jason! 😂
@jasoncarpp7742
5 жыл бұрын
@@RVgeeks That's not to say that it is funny. There's nothing pleasant about having an RV that smells like someone had taken a dump and forgotten to flush the toilet. That usually indicates that something is wrong with the holding tank and needs to be cleaned out and its filter needs to be cleaned out and/or replaced.
You guys are the "go to channel" for any RV information and DIY. Thanks for the great and knowledgeable info! 👍✌
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much, Cindy! You just made our day. ☺️
You guys do such a GREAT job on these videos... clear, concise... spot on! Thanks.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! ☺️
When we were in Desert Hot Springs CA this past year at the Catalina Spa & RV Resort, I thought I had smelled something! Heard through the RV Grapeline you guys were staying in one of the resorts close by. Wanted to stop in and thank you for all the great advice over the years, but since we consider you guys as famous as Elvis, Sue & I decided to give you your privacy. But next time we cross paths,.......
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
LOL! That smell was likely us! 😃 Sorry missed you (totally refute the idea of being "Elvis"-level famous!!), hope to catch up with you next time!
Thank you so much for this informative video! Ordered two of these AAVs!
I’ve replaced the one under my bathroom sink a couple of times but it still seems to occasionally leak for some reason. I am thinking about just blocking it and letting the one under the kitchen let the air in. I might have to give the studor version a shot first. It takes so little volume to create so much smell, lol. Thanks for another great video.
My God you're my savior. I was looking to replace P traps and everything but it was just a valve. Subbed!
@RVgeeks
2 жыл бұрын
So great to hear!!!! 🤗
Hello. My RV is so old,(1987) that it did not come with these. I guess it's time to look for another one. Enjoy yourself and be safe. Bye now.
Great tip. Might have been a good idea to add some silicone plumbers grease to the threads similar to the one that you "removed easily". It's cheap, and handy to have.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
If you look closely at the end, you can see that we used pipe tape on the threads. The reason we didn’t mention it in the video is because this wasn’t really a “how to“ video, and the only instruction listed on the new air admittance valve is to use pipe tape only, so we thought it would be pretty straightforward and hard to miss.
I reluctantly watched this video, and I'm glad I did! This is happening intermittently to our bath sink. Stuff ordered. As always, you guys rock. Please keep the vids coming. Thanks, Johnny
Hi Guys,thanks for the tip we have been smelling funk at our kitchen sink also🤢 will get the new valves coming,also thought of you 2 as I was servicing the blue ok tow bar this week getting ready to move ,thanks for all the great videos😁✌
Very timely. I just had to check mine. Valve was fine I believe but it was loose in the threads. I put Teflon tape to help seal it.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Yup.... Teflon tape is what Studor calls for! 👍
This was really useful, and a very coherent presentation, animated diagram and all. Way to go!
@RVgeeks
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much, Rod!
Great video, guys! That animation is excellent!! ;)
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Means so much coming from you two. ☺️
Thank you. Great tutorial all the way!
The best way to vent is going directly to the tank vet pipe itself if possible. But in most cases that was not done during the manufacturing process probably to keep costs down.
By far the best RV info channel on youtube
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much, Don! ☺️
I am so glad to run across your channel cause I am looking into moving into Rv to travel soon myself but I am doing my research and things like that.
Thanks so much, guys! Soon to be on the road, Rob.
I just replaced this last week under my bathroom sink, easy peasy and cheap!
Started getting a bad odor the other day and I remember this video. Just ordered a new valve. Hope it works because the smell is BAD, and we have a trip this weekend.
@xmaTKDmma
8 ай бұрын
did it work?
No clue there’s a valve there. Good info. Loved the background you used for the vid. Alabama Hills with the Sierras in the distance. Great area.
Great video! Right to the point and we'll explained. Extremely helpful for us- thank you!
: Thanks for the tip. I would not even had known there was a valve like that.
Thanks for this, Geeks!! Nice to see you posting again!!! Take care!
Fantastic channel I have learned so much from watching the geeks they have a great on camera persona And learning it’s helped me in making my channel the best I can Thank you guys keep it up
Thanks! We didn't even know they were there!
I love learning the regional variations of name for the same things. This p-trap is called a u-bend in the UK.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Love it! We’ll have to remember that next time we’re there. 😄
@PyroDanUK
4 жыл бұрын
It actually isn't, it's just the name people use when they don't know what to call it, If anything, a U bend usually refers to the one built into a toilet bowl. Go into plumbers merchants asking for a trap and they'll ask if you want a P Trap, S Trap, Bottle Trap, Shower Trap etc etc.
We haven't had any odor problems and also never knew these valves existed. Thanks to your video I'll know where to look first when we do and how to temporarily solve the problem. We have 3 sinks so I may just go buy the replacement valves just to have handy. What about the shower, does it have something similar or does it share one of these valves. Great graphics BTW. They sure helped visualize what happens and why.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
We’re pretty sure the shower drain is vented directly up the vent pipe to the roof.
Nice one !!! Excellent info. Thanks.
About to head out on my first trip in my new to me travel trailer. I will check for these. Fingers crossed everything works on this camper
@BearfootAdventures
5 жыл бұрын
CamperMike good luck Mike be safe and keep the shiny side up
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Congratulations on your new rig, Mike!
You would think these vents would be outside? So if they malfunction the odors don’t contaminate the air in the rv or camper . They should be mounted outside and maybe covered with a vented hood if necessary.
You Guy's are great. We have a '03 Dutch Star so there's a lot of similarities between your rig and ours. Just ordered two. Thanks.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Mike! Always great hearing from a fellow Newmar owner. 👍
Thank you for sharing. I'd been trying to figure this same issue out in my RV. I've ordered everything you listed. Have a great day! Hugs.
This is the place for good advice.
As always great info and a solution to a problem we have from time to time and didn't know why. Thanks Guys
It is also known as a studor vent another way to prevent odor in the holding tanks is mix 1 part Dawn dishwashing liquid half a cup and the other half a cup with fabric softener put it in the gray tank and the black tank it will keep the particles small and broken up so when you go to dump it flows a lot easier
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
A lot of people use, and swear by, that method... often referred to as the "Geo Method". But even that can be hard-pressed to overcome the extra-heavily-concentrated "stew" that builds up when dry camping for an extended period. Always good to have a number of tools in your odor-fighting toolbox! 😊
Looks like something I need in my 30 year old fiver. Thank you!
Great information and thanks for the diagram/animation!
Thanks for the info. Great short video.
Informative! And, what a gorgeous boondocking spot. Thank you.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks! That’s the Alabama Hills in California. ❤️
Great informative video. I yet to understand how you guy get any thumbs down on any of your videos. I find them for the most part informative.
Wow 30 year RV ing and did not know that great tip !
Just the educational video we needed! Thank you!
That's an awesome camp site in the Alabama Hills
Thanks for the info! Y’all are great!
Good tip. Which one of you stuck your nose close enough to confirm the source? 😊
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks Brian. John's got a nose like a bloodhound... but he didn't need to get very close to confirm that it was coming from under the kitchen sink. Apparently, nearly 65 gallons of highly concentrated gray water is pungent enough to be rather noticeable when released into the atmosphere. Glad we got THAT test behind us. 😂
Thanks for the info
You just helped me solve an ongoing issue in our coach!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Excellent! 😄
@dandrewsDJ
5 жыл бұрын
@@RVgeeks Thank you so much. $7.21 later and a trip to Lowes, I solved the gray water issue! I never knew about this vent. Our coach is a 1993 Barth... and when I went to change it, the original AAV was dated 1993! Needless to say, it was due!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
That is so awesome David! There is nothing better than hearing that our videos have helped make a real difference in fellow RVers’ lives. Thanks so much for letting us know. ☺️
Great Video!
Awesome video. I got one coming in June same thing. Very well done as always 🛠🛠🛠🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
The smell acts as an alarm telling you its time to change the AAV :) btw - Those are also used in homes.
Great video! Loved the quick fix. I saw this replaced quite awhile ago on Love Your RV. Ray rivals you guys on mods for his 5th wheel. Jon in rural BC, Canada
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Jon! We know of (haven't met!) and love the stuff that Ray does on Love Your RV! 😃 Hope we can reach people who hadn't heard of these valves... so they'll be armed and ready should one ever fail on them (Ziploc bags and rubber bands are handy repair items when in a pinch)!
I put Happy Camper in both gray and black awesome
Going to look under my sink to see if I have one too... didn't know about this valves.. hmmm
Been awhile since I commented, I just saw an older video you guys did w the Mortons and of course it was great, I learn a lot from here on this side of the screen. I have started working hard to clean up and then clean out the house, it is happening now. I am getting closer to meeting you guys one day lol. I learned a lot from you guys on Air Brakes on your video w them..." Geeking Out About Motorhomes with the RV Geeks! | Mondays with the Mortons S4E10 " ---- Talk soon, thanks for your input helping everyone.
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much Barry! You just made our day. Excited for you on your impending launch! 👍
The more we know! Many thanks.
Great informative video, I’m ordering now!
Awesome, Thank you for such informative video..!!
Awesome thank you for sharing....
That is GREAT information. Thanks.
Great vid! Is there a valve for the black tank as well? where is that? Thanks!
@RVgeeks
2 жыл бұрын
Hey Clatimer... the Air Admittance Valves are typically only installed at the sinks, since those are the fixtures that have p-traps that could be drained without them.
Good info (as always). Thanks. 👍
Great info and great video. Thank you
Whoa! Where is that impressive site at 02:52? Great video, as always!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks! That’s the Alabama Hills, off Hwy 395 near Lone Pine, CA. Awesome place! Check out campendium.com for details.
Love your videos, You guys are the best. Always VERY informative and always explained in detail. Love the locations you find too. Hope I can find many like that when I get on the road. Would like to know where you found those tire covers on your rig? I've never seen any like that before and I want some!! Looking forward to the next video. Safe travels!!!
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much! As far as the tire covers go, they are as old as our rig, 14 years, and have long since been discontinued. They may look cool, but they actually do have some drawbacks. We have a line on a new set of tire covers slated to be released this year, and will hopefully be replacing ours soon. Stay tuned!
@UnitedWeStand2020
5 жыл бұрын
@@RVgeeks I subscribed and tapped that bell a long time ago, so I'm always looking forward to what's next. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply, it's very much appreciated!!! 👍👍
Thanks for the video! I can't get mine off ...
@RVgeeks
2 жыл бұрын
They can be a bit hard to figure out where to unscrew... make sure you're not trying to remove a part/flange at the top of the plumbing line itself. It's usually just the very top portion that unscrews... unless your RV manufacturer glued it in place instead of using a threaded end that it could be screwed into?
Excellent video
Thank you
Thanks for the info 👍
Great info. Thanks
Interesting now I have to check mine but knock on wood haven't had any smells yet.
Thank you!
Thank you great tip.
Had no idea these AAV’s could fail
Thank you.
Tks for the info I'll have to look under the sink. This gets me thinking am I wasting money in using those sink tabs to help eliminate food particles, smell etc, I do wipe off the dishes etc before washing them, because I don't like the idea of food/ grease going down the drain. Is there a solution to clean out the gray tank periodically as you would the fresh water tank ??
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Hi Lola! We’re not familiar with the tabs you mentioned (so obviously we don’t use them). Here’s one way we clean our gray tank: kzread.info/dash/bejne/maGY3KiplKWTXcY.html
Good to know thanks
Thank you!!
Our AAV was constantly banging my knuckles when replacing our kitchen faucet! Really bad placement :)
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
No reason to position it so close, right? Other than lack of thought put into the user experience for DIY RVers. 😒
@BrianGant1000
5 жыл бұрын
@@RVgeeks Word! At least I know where to fix our if the needs comes. Our rig is 15 years old...so...definitely a list of things that will need fixing. ;-) Thanks for blazing trails so I have info! :D
@RVgeeks
5 жыл бұрын
Happy to help, Brian! And how great it is to see you and Julie in the credits! Can’t thank you enough. ☺️