Patrons are a big part of keeping this chanel going. Join now! www.patreon.com/CarolynsRVLife If you enjoyed this video please subscribe ----o RUclips.com/@UCfqr5I-0RKK8Ha1PeKi0_ig *Products in this Video* Inline Vent for Kitchen Sink: amzn.to/3AS9sgV Bug Zapper Camping Light (USB): amzn.to/3NFHpZr Drain Snake: amzn.to/3VGE3aH (comparable one on Amazon and cheaper)
That's not a filter. It's an vacuum breaker... to bring air into your drain lines that will allow the waste in it to flow more readily. If it malfunctions, you'll either get the odor of your tank into your rig (it failed open) or water will gurgle as it drains (it failed closed). It can't block your drain, so it can't cause such a slow flow of water down the drain.
Thank you CAROLINE!! You are AWESOME! I think this is the most informative since I’m watching you go thru the trials and errors and then success in your handy person adventures. I’m going to be full time in my RV as a single woman of 64.. I’m learning a lot since I’m staying in my sons RV now taking care of his doggy while he’s out of the country and the sink clogged:( I really appreciate this particular one💕🫶 Wishing you safe travels and lots of smiles with your fur friend:)
I believe if you drain a lot of starchy water from foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice....and of course fats.....the pipes get clogged faster. We use a very fine mesh screen at each drain to filter solids also.
You're the best looking plumber I've seen in a while. You have what it takes for most things worth doing... And that is sticking with it until you have success. Glad you show the reality of a situation... Thank you.
Carolyn, You've always been proactive for yourself and that shows your sense of tremendous and highly qualified independence, and hang onto that dearly, You've come a long long way!
Never a dull moment! Lots of rain in Maine right now... rivers over flowing, high water tables, busy sump pumps, attaching hoses to move water away from the foundations, uggh! Always nice to learn new info & techniques. Thanks Carolyn. For You... @--->----
That snake looks a whole lot cooler, and cleaner, than the old fashioned metal ones that you roll up by hand. Happy you got it fixed and learned something new to show us 😁
Ive seen those drill snakes you can get which hooks up to drill for around $25 might want to try that next time. Nothing worse than a clogged drain nice job!!....
Thanks Carolyn for all your helpful videos. I've learned so much about caring for and fixing stuff in my RV by watching your how too videos. Thanks for keeping it real. Also, just want to say your graying hair is looking beautiful. I am also all natural with my hair color and love the freedom it gives me.
Awesome job! You exemplify the (now relatively old) saying that "The best man for the job is a woman!" And I was cracking up at your sink-cleaning comments!
I've only had that sink block issue twice in my five yrs Carolyn and like you, I tried everything, before the boiling water. But that is what cleared it both times. Boiling water x two each time 👍😊
Yay on unclogging the sink! Boiling water was always my go-to at the house, never snaked anything but have had to call plumber to do it. Good video! LOVE your hair up like that, btw. You made me laugh with the cleaning the sink comments. 😂 I bet you still get a million suggestions.
Not exactly 'off topic' but.. like you, my mom always worshipped her privacy. As a Florida snow bird she was a tad upset when her new neighbors ended up building a backyard "Margariettaville" type entertainment area. They were overall respectful but mom was not pleased... UNTIL one day she took a really bad fall and broke her hip. It was a really bad scene... no one was around EXCEPT for the neighbor who decided to go out to his entertainment center and heard her screams. Suddenly this "nuisance" was suddenly a literal Life Saver. She never complained about neighbors again. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason... and is ultimately for our benefit. So... whatever comes.. let it come. Whatever goes.. let it go. Ultimately nothing HERE is as it appears to be. Trust the process. 🙏 ❤️
My hubby worked for a plumber back in the day. He has broken many snakes!!! Plumbing is hot filthy work! He never did plumbing again after that job...except in our home, now, 38 years later! Oh, snap! We are getting old....our garbage disposal just took a dump. He replaced it himself, while Betty Boop and I ran for the hills!! He does not handle plumbing stress or computer stress very well...
Thanks for the info. Looks like Snakes are quite useful. 🐍 I have had success creating a water tight seal on the plunger by putting vaseline on the part that sits on the drain. Also press down firmly and then add water around the plunger. You can then feel suction power like no other. You probably know this.
I love your hairdo Carolyn, it looks so good on you. Good Luck with the snake. I haven’t heard from you in al while& was getting worried about you, but I see your fine. Love from North Western Ontario Canada. ❤
Just another clog suggestion… I pour full strength DAWN dishwashing liquid (1/4c)down the drain, let it sit for about 20min., then pour boiling water down the drain. I’ve had good luck with that & use it for drain mtc. once a month
Yeh! Apt Maintenance knocked on my door Tenant downstairs had a clog Asked me how I got rid of grease Showed him a plastic milk jug He ran hot water and noticed I had Dawn on the counter. He proceeded to pour Dawn from his gal jug and told me to let it run 10 minutes. Don't know about the tenant upstairs I shut the water off when timer done He didn't return . I guess the tenant downstairs got plumbing 101 😂Dont put grease down the drain !
I usually put Dawn in toilets or sink drains when they get “slow”. This worked so well, when I leave the house or overnight I use Dawn, as a preventative about 1x a month and don’t have problems anymore!
I live alone d as I I have had to learn to fix things It takes awhile but it gets done lol Glad you were successful cause it makes one feel independent. Happy trails 🌻
Good that you are learning/recognizing "how things work". That "filter" you describe is a vent cap. That vent serves the same purpose as a vent stack that a traditional home has out the roof. And similar to your access adventure, sometimes a plumber needs to snake a drain from the roof vent. Question: does your grey tank have a bottom plug/drain access, under the vehicle? If yes, maybe you should completely drain and hose wash the inside of that tank. If no plug access, consider having one installed. Same idea for the black tank. I don't know, I suspect that the drain line from sink to gray tank is almost horizontal, not much slope, therefore possibly build up of debris. Also depending upon the RV parking slope relative to the drain slope, may allow build up of drain debris. Try that hot water treatment again, with the RV parked so that the grey tank is much lower that the sink. (Park on a steep hill)
That was something I was wondering about also, since there's levelers for the rig to be level, did they incorporate a slope within the distance from sink to tank. And a bottom drain plug may be helpful also. Good suggestions! @clarkleakins879
Great job 👏 thanks for ❤️ showing what to do. I had to already snake both bathroom and kitchen with small hand snake . This is good to know.. just in case. Nasty job, but you got it done !!!!!! Way to go !!!!!!
It looks complicated and guess with trial and error you were able to figure out how to unclog the pipe. I'm confused on the filter part and guess it's in the pipe somewhere had to put the snake in to unclog a pipe. Hopefully the stuff you put in dissolves the lump of whatever was clogging the pipe. This learning experience helps you a lot for down the road when something backs up in your RV or someone else's on how to fix it. You did super work.
Snakes almost always push the clog through in a house and out to the septic or sewer system in a house so it should have broken it up and pushed into the grey tank, the good thing is the grey tank release is a much bigger pipe anyway so even if it is still fairly big chunk it will drain out of there.
They call that elbow a SINK TRAP! Haha. They make smaller wire snake that roll out and back in like a reel. That might be a better option for you. You just push it in by hand. Now you know why plumbers charge so much. You had it easy...My sewer line backed up last week and I had human waste in my back yard I had to shovel in garbage bags, I then put in a back wash valve flapper clean out. So it could not back up in my uard again. 😁
I had one of those snake things for my house. Ended up throwing it away because every time I tried to use it, I could not unclog the drain and it would not push in very far. I don't think I spent anywhere near what you did though but it was a few years old too. Seems like you got it unclogged though. good job! I hate those snake things. Hard to push down and you really can't tell if it's actually being pushed through the pipe or just coiling up like a snake in one spot.
RV plumbing is smaller diameter than stix n bricks so snaking can be tricky....I am very careful about what gets down my drains........hot water to run grease is not good because the grease melts and coats the inside of the pipes or hoses. Cold water turns grease to clumps......no sticking. Grease and food particles not good no matter what. Sure hope you don't have more problems. Wster oump running: Check your city water connection.....the built in vacuum breaker can fail and cause air which signals the water pump to run. I had same problem after new pump was installed (about 4 months later)......my rv repair guy told me to replace that outside City Water fill port.......fixed my problem, and an easy thing to do!
Great information. I feel your pain… I accidentally flushed a rattail comb down my toilet (you know how close the sink is to the toilet in these short rigs) so I took it to the dealership and had to embarrassingly explain what I had done. Needless to say, they smiled and said they’ve seen worse and are getting it out for me. $89.00 later…🤦🏼♀
I've had some nasty clogs and I was told years ago to use 5 or 6 denture cleaner with hot water and let them do their thing overnight and be dang if it didn't work. I had tried everything to get it unclogged but getting a snake or plumber. I now once a month for maintain put 3 or 4 down each drain.
You did good! A pro plumber might do it in an hour and charge you 2 hours, truth! 😂 It would take me the same time as you but easier from experience. Every time you do it you will be faster. You got the right tool, but still you can only go a few inches at a time pushing back and forth. You would rarely need to do this job. I need to do one now in my 5 year old Forza bath sink for the first time. God Bless…
my water pump is currently doing the same... it's not pressurizing. I have to pull it out from under my sink floor boards just to check the filter....grrr. So frustrating.
@@CarolynsRVLife at Harbor Freight now to buy a cheap jigsaw. Going to cut out cabinet floor and build a removable one so I have easier access. Never a dull moment!
My friend has a brand new 5th wheel $100,000 the things massive and very high tech YET the sink drain is clogged and after two professional plumbers a 50 ft snake and 25ft s'ake no one can unclog the drain.... 😢
Hold on there Carolyn, seriously you look like you mean to do some damage, consider me gone! Good thing I can run like the wind, I guess hiking 36 miles in 4 days in the Sonoran Desert has it's advantages. Yikes!
You said that you intentionally didn't film your mistakes. Maybe you should. You might save someone a lot of time by watching what not to do. Kinda monkey see monkey do, or in this case, monkey see monkey know not to do!
Patrons are a big part of keeping this chanel going. Join now! www.patreon.com/CarolynsRVLife
If you enjoyed this video please subscribe ----o RUclips.com/@UCfqr5I-0RKK8Ha1PeKi0_ig
*Products in this Video*
Inline Vent for Kitchen Sink: amzn.to/3AS9sgV
Bug Zapper Camping Light (USB): amzn.to/3NFHpZr
Drain Snake: amzn.to/3VGE3aH (comparable one on Amazon and cheaper)
That's not a filter. It's an vacuum breaker... to bring air into your drain lines that will allow the waste in it to flow more readily. If it malfunctions, you'll either get the odor of your tank into your rig (it failed open) or water will gurgle as it drains (it failed closed). It can't block your drain, so it can't cause such a slow flow of water down the drain.
Thank you CAROLINE!! You are AWESOME! I think this is the most informative since I’m watching you go thru the trials and errors and then success in your handy person adventures.
I’m going to be full time in my RV as a single woman of 64..
I’m learning a lot since I’m staying in my sons RV now taking care of his doggy while he’s out of the country and the sink clogged:(
I really appreciate this particular one💕🫶
Wishing you safe travels and lots of smiles with your fur friend:)
I believe if you drain a lot of starchy water from foods like pasta, potatoes, and rice....and of course fats.....the pipes get clogged faster. We use a very fine mesh screen at each drain to filter solids also.
You're the best looking plumber I've seen in a while.
You have what it takes for most things worth doing... And that is sticking with it until you have success.
Glad you show the reality of a situation... Thank you.
I love your courses in the school of hard knocks. You are a great teacher!!!
Carolyn, You've always been proactive for yourself and that shows your sense of tremendous and highly qualified independence, and hang onto that dearly, You've come a long long way!
Thanks Cheryl
Yup... and dragged us along with her! 😅 Carolyn's Can Do spirit is contagious. 👍
Never a dull moment! Lots of rain in Maine right now... rivers over flowing, high water tables, busy sump pumps, attaching hoses to move water away from the foundations, uggh! Always nice to learn new info & techniques. Thanks Carolyn.
For You... @--->----
That snake looks a whole lot cooler, and cleaner, than the old fashioned metal ones that you roll up by hand.
Happy you got it fixed and learned something new to show us 😁
I agree, Paige! I’m still learning from Carolyn too 😊
That’s good you found a good way to unplug your kitchen sink it’s not hard are complicated
Five times wrong or five lessons learned🤔.....👍. Success is always a win.
Ive seen those drill snakes you can get which hooks up to drill for around $25 might want to try that next time. Nothing worse than a clogged drain nice job!!....
Thanks Carolyn for all your helpful videos. I've learned so much about caring for and fixing stuff in my RV by watching your how too videos. Thanks for keeping it real.
Also, just want to say your graying hair is looking beautiful.
I am also all natural with my hair color and love the freedom it gives me.
Awesome job! You exemplify the (now relatively old) saying that "The best man for the job is a woman!" And I was cracking up at your sink-cleaning comments!
Great episode! At least the snake pushed it through finally!!! Great job!!!
I've only had that sink block issue twice in my five yrs Carolyn and like you, I tried everything, before the boiling water. But that is what cleared it both times. Boiling water x two each time 👍😊
Yay on unclogging the sink! Boiling water was always my go-to at the house, never snaked anything but have had to call plumber to do it. Good video! LOVE your hair up like that, btw. You made me laugh with the cleaning the sink comments. 😂 I bet you still get a million suggestions.
Not exactly 'off topic' but.. like you, my mom always worshipped her privacy. As a Florida snow bird she was a tad upset when her new neighbors ended up building a backyard "Margariettaville" type entertainment area. They were overall respectful but mom was not pleased... UNTIL one day she took a really bad fall and broke her hip. It was a really bad scene... no one was around EXCEPT for the neighbor who decided to go out to his entertainment center and heard her screams. Suddenly this "nuisance" was suddenly a literal Life Saver. She never complained about neighbors again.
I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason... and is ultimately for our benefit.
So... whatever comes.. let it come. Whatever goes.. let it go.
Ultimately nothing HERE is as it appears to be. Trust the process. 🙏 ❤️
My hubby worked for a plumber back in the day. He has broken many snakes!!! Plumbing is hot filthy work! He never did plumbing again after that job...except in our home, now, 38 years later! Oh, snap! We are getting old....our garbage disposal just took a dump. He replaced it himself, while Betty Boop and I ran for the hills!! He does not handle plumbing stress or computer stress very well...
Your pipes have so many twists and turns. Not surprised this was such a project. Glad you were able to get unplugged! Well done.
Thank you Linda!
Thanks for the info. Looks like Snakes are quite useful. 🐍
I have had success creating a water tight seal on the plunger by putting vaseline on the part that sits on the drain. Also press down firmly and then add water around the plunger.
You can then feel suction power like no other. You probably know this.
I love your hairdo Carolyn, it looks so good on you. Good Luck with the snake. I haven’t heard from you in al while& was getting worried about you, but I see your fine. Love from North Western Ontario Canada. ❤
Just another clog suggestion… I pour full strength DAWN dishwashing liquid (1/4c)down the drain, let it sit for about 20min., then pour boiling water down the drain. I’ve had good luck with that & use it for drain mtc. once a month
Yeh! Apt Maintenance knocked on my door Tenant downstairs had a clog Asked me how I got rid of grease Showed him a plastic milk jug He ran hot water and noticed I had Dawn on the counter. He proceeded to pour Dawn from his gal jug and told me to let it run 10 minutes. Don't know about the tenant upstairs I shut the water off when timer done He didn't return . I guess the tenant downstairs got plumbing 101 😂Dont put grease down the drain !
I usually put Dawn in toilets or sink drains when they get “slow”. This worked so well, when I leave the house or overnight I use Dawn, as a preventative about 1x a month and don’t have problems anymore!
I live alone d as I I have had to learn to fix things
It takes awhile but it gets done lol Glad you were successful cause it makes one feel independent. Happy trails 🌻
Good that you are learning/recognizing "how things work".
That "filter" you describe is a vent cap. That vent serves the same purpose as a vent stack that a traditional home has out the roof. And similar to your access adventure, sometimes a plumber needs to snake a drain from the roof vent.
Question: does your grey tank have a bottom plug/drain access, under the vehicle?
If yes, maybe you should completely drain and hose wash the inside of that tank.
If no plug access, consider having one installed.
Same idea for the black tank.
I don't know, I suspect that the drain line from sink to gray tank is almost horizontal, not much slope, therefore possibly build up of debris.
Also depending upon the RV parking slope relative to the drain slope, may allow build up of drain debris.
Try that hot water treatment again, with the RV parked so that the grey tank is much lower that the sink. (Park on a steep hill)
That was something I was wondering about also, since there's levelers for the rig to be level, did they incorporate a slope within the distance from sink to tank. And a bottom drain plug may be helpful also. Good suggestions! @clarkleakins879
Well done. I've heard you say that it may not be pretty, but it works.
Congratulations ! HandyMa'am can do lots of things. Good for you. I had to giggle because your intro song is so perfect!
Great job Carolyn on fixing the drain 🎉 great video ❤
Very helpful video, thank you! Love your sense of humor and demeanor too… thanks for this!
Glad this snake doesnt bite these things happen sometimes happy and safe travels 😊😊
Thankyou Carolyn rv life 🙂
Great job 👏 thanks for ❤️ showing what to do. I had to already snake both bathroom and kitchen with small hand snake . This is good to know.. just in case. Nasty job, but you got it done !!!!!! Way to go !!!!!!
We eventually got a Snake... best investment ever. 👍
Good on you for being proactive and solving the problem. Love watching your channel.
Thank you for this video. It's videos like this that encourage me to be able to do anything I want to attempt.
Thanks again❤
And that is exactly my goal when showing this.. So happy to hear it inspires you to try things too!
Thanks for the education here...even though it was hard, you pushed through...good for you..and Sadie helped...🤗
Am dealing with a clogged sink right now. This happens to us stuck in one place too. You are so resourcefull. Congratulations on clearing your clog.
Isn’t empowering to accomplish something new? Congratulations!
Yes it is!!
It looks complicated and guess with trial and error you were able to figure out how to unclog the pipe. I'm confused on the filter part and guess it's in the pipe somewhere had to put the snake in to unclog a pipe. Hopefully the stuff you put in dissolves the lump of whatever was clogging the pipe. This learning experience helps you a lot for down the road when something backs up in your RV or someone else's on how to fix it. You did super work.
NO MATTE HOW WE R WE AWAY LEARNING SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.
Snakes almost always push the clog through in a house and out to the septic or sewer system in a house so it should have broken it up and pushed into the grey tank, the good thing is the grey tank release is a much bigger pipe anyway so even if it is still fairly big chunk it will drain out of there.
A job well done!!!😃👍
Way to go! Congrats! 👏🏻💪🏻
We just found your channel and loving it. Great job on the sink. We are enjoying watching your adventures! All the best ,Dave and Lori
Thank you so much Dave and Lori - and welcome!
It might’ve been ugly Carolyn, but at least you got it unplugged! ❤
Thanks!
Thank you for the tip Suze!
They call that elbow a SINK TRAP! Haha. They make smaller wire snake that roll out and back in like a reel. That might be a better option for you. You just push it in by hand. Now you know why plumbers charge so much. You had it easy...My sewer line backed up last week and I had human waste in my back yard I had to shovel in garbage bags, I then put in a back wash valve flapper clean out. So it could not back up in my uard again. 😁
I had one of those snake things for my house. Ended up throwing it away because every time I tried to use it, I could not unclog the drain and it would not push in very far. I don't think I spent anywhere near what you did though but it was a few years old too. Seems like you got it unclogged though. good job! I hate those snake things. Hard to push down and you really can't tell if it's actually being pushed through the pipe or just coiling up like a snake in one spot.
shivering black bell and thumbs up ! I have had clogged toilets'! not a sink yet.. Glad you are so handy and self reliant!
thank you Mary Beth.
RV plumbing is smaller diameter than stix n bricks so snaking can be tricky....I am very careful about what gets down my drains........hot water to run grease is not good because the grease melts and coats the inside of the pipes or hoses. Cold water turns grease to clumps......no sticking. Grease and food particles not good no matter what. Sure hope you don't have more problems. Wster oump running: Check your city water connection.....the built in vacuum breaker can fail and cause air which signals the water pump to run. I had same problem after new pump was installed (about 4 months later)......my rv repair guy told me to replace that outside City Water fill port.......fixed my problem, and an easy thing to do!
Thank you for the info Donna!
Glad to learn through you🤭. Ugh... sorry that happened!
The "thingy u shaped pipe" under the sink is called a "trap" in plumber terms.
You did it. Yay!
You just saved my ass!! Thank you for this wonderful info, just what I needed!! 👍👍
Great information. I feel your pain… I accidentally flushed a rattail comb down my toilet (you know how close the sink is to the toilet in these short rigs) so I took it to the dealership and had to embarrassingly explain what I had done. Needless to say, they smiled and said they’ve seen worse and are getting it out for me. $89.00 later…🤦🏼♀
woohooo you go girl. Great job
OMG - what a nightmare! However lessons learned for your friends!
I've had some nasty clogs and I was told years ago to use 5 or 6 denture cleaner with hot water and let them do their thing overnight and be dang if it didn't work. I had tried everything to get it unclogged but getting a snake or plumber. I now once a month for maintain put 3 or 4 down each drain.
You did good! A pro plumber might do it in an hour and charge you 2 hours, truth! 😂 It would take me the same time as you but easier from experience. Every time you do it you will be faster. You got the right tool, but still you can only go a few inches at a time pushing back and forth. You would rarely need to do this job. I need to do one now in my 5 year old Forza bath sink for the first time. God Bless…
Thanks will for.the moral support from a place of experience. I really appreciate it. Good luck on yours!
You go woman!
Green Gobler, Home Depot friendly
Awesome job! Thank you for sharing!
Boiling water down your tanks often. Soda and vinegar often also. Just prevention
I don't believe in wasting water by literally flushing it down the drain. One clog in 7 years on the road without wasting water. I like my odds
Thanks for sharing
Is there a way to hook an electric drill to the snake?
my water pump is currently doing the same... it's not pressurizing. I have to pull it out from under my sink floor boards just to check the filter....grrr. So frustrating.
Ouch... that's a lot.. good luck
@@CarolynsRVLife at Harbor Freight now to buy a cheap jigsaw. Going to cut out cabinet floor and build a removable one so I have easier access. Never a dull moment!
Your place looks so homey love it
Well that was obviously beyond frustrating for you! But good job❣❣
I hate doing stuff like this lol. But, I got it done!
Those vent things are sold at Lowes
My friend has a brand new 5th wheel $100,000 the things massive and very high tech YET the sink drain is clogged and after two professional plumbers a 50 ft snake and 25ft s'ake no one can unclog the drain.... 😢
Most excellent, got the job done! Does this make you an apprentice plumber now?
Well, I have the swearing down. :-p
@@CarolynsRVLife 😂
Dang! What an ordeal!
A large gallon baggie & duct tape good goggles.
👍👍👍👍👍👍
Now you have your personal rattler..lol
I’m not looking toward to this😮
Gotta do what you gotta do even if it’s a pain in the a$$. 🥴🥴
👍🏻🙋♀️😊
maybe it was hair ?
From what ive learned about diy repairs. Its NEVER as easy as it seems.....never!
NEVER!!!! lol
CAROLYN. THE. PLUMBER. .. CONGRATULATIONS ☮️. 🆗
lol. thanks!
Hold on there Carolyn, seriously you look like you mean to do some damage, consider me gone! Good thing I can run like the wind, I guess hiking 36 miles in 4 days in the Sonoran Desert has it's advantages. Yikes!
You said that you intentionally didn't film your mistakes. Maybe you should. You might save someone a lot of time by watching what not to do. Kinda monkey see monkey do, or in this case, monkey see monkey know not to do!