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!!
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...
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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! 👍😀🌈🤪🌈😎🌈😍
Thank you!!!! We were just camping for 2 weeks and my wife who I say could smell me pass gas 2 blocks away kept saying “it stinks under the sink”. Well it was that AAV. I ran out to Ace and picked one up. Problem solve (except for my gas problem). Thanks again.
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 😊🇺🇸
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
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.
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.
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!
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! 😂
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.
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. 😂
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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,.......
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😁✌
@@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!
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. ☺️
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.
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.
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!!!
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!
@@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!!! 👍👍
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
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)!
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.
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
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! 😊
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 ??
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: ua-cam.com/video/gmdzFpdB--c/v-deo.html
Hello. We followed you video on smells in the RV. We have replaced the roof vents with Lippert Components 360 Siphon Roof Vent Cap and the Studor 20349 Redi-Vent Air Admittance Valve under the kitchen sink. We replaced the waterless tank valve underneath the coach because of a horrible smell. Under the kitchen sink smells fine. Every time we wash dishes smells are be pulled in coach by our fans in our electronic cabinet. Fans have been running for months with no problem until recently. Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks 🙏
@@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
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?
So I want to know how you guys boondocked for two weeks. We have a Newmar Ventana, so our systems are very similar to yours. How'd ya do it? Tips? Daily process?
Hi Les! So just for comparison purposes, we have 105 fresh, 65 gray and 45 black. Gray is always our limiting factor. Since we like to make things easy, enjoyable and comfortable for ourselves, our typical M.O. is to plan one week in any one spot. Assuming 60 gallons is our realistic "full" gray point (we don't want to be driving with concentrated gray water sloshing around in the shower!), that allows us to put 8.5 gallons of water down the sink/shower drains each day. Easy peasy, with Navy showers using about 1-1.5 gallons each, thoughtful washing of dishes, and of course always running the hot water for showering up into our trusty 1-gallon Rubbermaid pitcher, rather than have that go down into the gray tank, and then using the water in the pitcher to flush the toilet. We also shower one right after the other so we only have to run hot water up once. If we really like a place, and want to go 10 days, that takes us down to 6 gallons a day. That requires being extra vigilant with shower water use, which we can easily keep under 1 gallon each and still get a thorough shower. If we arrive at a cool spot and think "Wow! This is awesome... we've got plenty of food, nowhere we have to be, etc" we start right in one day one being more careful with water usage, and 10 days is still a breeze. We rarely stay anywhere longer than that, but it does happen..... usually when we make advance plans with friends. If we arrive in a boondocking spot knowing that we're willing to sacrifice a little on some things, we can easily hit two weeks, meaning averaging about 4.5 gallons down into the gray tank a day (4.5 x 14 = 63). The main "sacrifice" (and one reason we don't like staying that long) is using paper plates is a key to making it work. We don't like using too much paper, and will only do that when absolutely needed. We'll also use a napkin or paper towel to wipe off utensils before washing.... anything to conserve (it's surprising how much water dish washing uses compared to showering). And of course the entire time, we're in what we call "Super Boondock" mode.... hyper vigilant about water usage.... only one drop of water on the toothbrush, etc. The one thing neither of us are personally comfortable doing to save water (which a lot of people are fine with) is skipping shower days. We know people who shower every other day...... or even FAR less. :-/ We shower every night before bed, and won't sleep well without that. People with longer (or any! LOL) hair, might find it more challenging. We also use this super water-saving shower head: amzn.to/2leeXCX Hope this gives you an idea how we can do it without too much sacrifice!
@@RVgeeks So it all comes down to the hard reality of math. I'm with you on showering every day, although we do have the unscented wipes for in-between if it comes to that. Thank you so much for the response! A lot of your tips, tricks and gadgets have found their way into our RV. Including, by the way a new AAV valve that cured a stinky bathroom.
Actually can you tell me where I can find the black pipe itself? The one connected to the redi-vent piece? For some reason the previous owner cement fired it and now I need both parts 😫
That should be pretty standard plumbing pipe, available at any hardware/plumbing store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc). Usually 1.5", but check measurements to be 100% sure.
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.
No, the air admittance valves are only a factor for the gray water system/plumbing. If you’re noticing a sudden change in odor from the black tank, it could be the result of build up (need to soak, clean, or power wash the interior of the tank), a change in your behavior (like leaving the bathroom vent fan running while flushing, which is pulling odors from the tank), or it could be a blockage on the black tank vent pipe to the roof (either from tank contents or from pests like mud daubers making a nest).
![Air admittance valves for plumbing venting explained, [just over 4 minutes]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BQy2UuY0Yyc/mqdefault.jpg)
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!!
We keep learning too! 😁
I had no idea these valves existed, this may have just fixed my own tank odour problem. Thanks.
Thanks for a very informative 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...
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!
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
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.
Well well Nikki! We see what you did there. And on Patreon. thanks so much! ☺️
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.
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.
That’s awesome! It’s always great to hear we’ve been helpful. Thanks for taking the time to let us know. ☺️
Thank you. I think this has helped with the mysterious smells. I used the baggie trick. This is a great video!
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.
By far the best RV info channel on youtube
Thank you so much, Don! ☺️
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.
You guys do such a GREAT job on these videos... clear, concise... spot on! Thanks.
Thanks so much! ☺️
This was really useful, and a very coherent presentation, animated diagram and all. Way to go!
Thanks so much, Rod!
You guys are the "go to channel" for any RV information and DIY. Thanks for the great and knowledgeable info! 👍✌
Thanks so much, Cindy! You just made our day. ☺️
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!
Perfect! 😄
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!
Hmmm, never really thought about the idea of the vent under the sink failing. Pretty good video none the less.
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!
👍😀🌈🤪🌈😎🌈😍
Thanks guys!
Thank you!!!! We were just camping for 2 weeks and my wife who I say could smell me pass gas 2 blocks away kept saying “it stinks under the sink”. Well it was that AAV. I ran out to Ace and picked one up. Problem solve (except for my gas problem). Thanks again.
@@rustybarrr Comment of the month!! 😂
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 😊🇺🇸
Great video, guys! That animation is excellent!! ;)
Thanks! Means so much coming from you two. ☺️
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
Thanks for this, Geeks!! Nice to see you posting again!!! Take care!
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.
Thanks Casey. Nice! Grease should be okay, but we just used pipe tape, since the Studor valves call for it.
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.
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!
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! 😂
@@RVgeeks Sooo. funny.
Thank you so much for this informative video! Ordered two of these AAVs!
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
CamperMike good luck Mike be safe and keep the shiny side up
Congratulations on your new rig, Mike!
Great vid! Is there a valve for the black tank as well? where is that? Thanks!
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.
My God you're my savior. I was looking to replace P traps and everything but it was just a valve. Subbed!
So great to hear!!!! 🤗
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.
Yup.... Teflon tape is what Studor calls for! 👍
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.
Good tip. Which one of you stuck your nose close enough to confirm the source? 😊
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. 😂
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.
Glad we made you laugh, Jason! 😂
@@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.
Great video! Right to the point and we'll explained. Extremely helpful for us- thank you!
Thanks so much, guys! Soon to be on the road, Rob.
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
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.
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.
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.
Thanks Mike! Always great hearing from a fellow Newmar owner. 👍
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.
We’re pretty sure the shower drain is vented directly up the vent pipe to the roof.
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
Nice one !!! Excellent info. Thanks.
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.
did it work?
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,.......
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. Great tutorial all the way!
Informative! And, what a gorgeous boondocking spot. Thank you.
Thanks! That’s the Alabama Hills in California. ❤️
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😁✌
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 information and thanks for the diagram/animation!
You just helped me solve an ongoing issue in our coach!
Excellent! 😄
@@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!
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. ☺️
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.
I put Happy Camper in both gray and black awesome
Thanks for the info. Great short video.
Just the educational video we needed! Thank you!
That's an awesome camp site in the Alabama Hills
Thanks! We didn't even know they were there!
This is the place for good advice.
Whoa! Where is that impressive site at 02:52? Great video, as always!
Thanks! That’s the Alabama Hills, off Hwy 395 near Lone Pine, CA. Awesome place! Check out campendium.com for details.
I just replaced this last week under my bathroom sink, easy peasy and cheap!
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.
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.
As always great info and a solution to a problem we have from time to time and didn't know why. Thanks Guys
Thanks for the info! Y’all are great!
I love learning the regional variations of name for the same things. This p-trap is called a u-bend in the UK.
Love it! We’ll have to remember that next time we’re there. 😄
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.
: Thanks for the tip. I would not even had known there was a valve like that.
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!!!
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!
@@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!!! 👍👍
Awesome thank you for sharing....
Good to know thanks
Wow 30 year RV ing and did not know that great tip !
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
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)!
Excellent video
Thank you.
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.
Great Video!
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
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! 😊
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 ??
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: ua-cam.com/video/gmdzFpdB--c/v-deo.html
Thanks for the info
Great informative video, I’m ordering now!
The more we know!
Many thanks.
That is GREAT information. Thanks.
Interesting now I have to check mine but knock on wood haven't had any smells yet.
Awesome, Thank you for such informative video..!!
Thank you!!
Great info. Thanks
Hello. We followed you video on smells in the RV. We have replaced the roof vents with Lippert Components 360 Siphon Roof Vent Cap and the Studor 20349 Redi-Vent Air Admittance Valve under the kitchen sink. We replaced the waterless tank valve underneath the coach because of a horrible smell. Under the kitchen sink smells fine.
Every time we wash dishes smells are be pulled in coach by our fans in our electronic cabinet. Fans have been running for months with no problem until recently.
Any advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks 🙏
Hi Debbye! We hope you've managed to stop all the sources now!
RVgeeks... No still trying to figure it out. 😷
Our AAV was constantly banging my knuckles when replacing our kitchen faucet! Really bad placement :)
No reason to position it so close, right? Other than lack of thought put into the user experience for DIY RVers. 😒
@@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
Happy to help, Brian! And how great it is to see you and Julie in the credits! Can’t thank you enough. ☺️
Thanks for the video! I can't get mine off ...
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?
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 info and great video. Thank you
Awesome video. I got one coming in June same thing. Very well done as always 🛠🛠🛠🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Good info (as always). Thanks. 👍
Going to look under my sink to see if I have one too... didn't know about this valves.. hmmm
Thank you great tip.
The smell acts as an alarm telling you its time to change the AAV :) btw - Those are also used in homes.
So I want to know how you guys boondocked for two weeks. We have a Newmar Ventana, so our systems are very similar to yours. How'd ya do it? Tips? Daily process?
Hi Les! So just for comparison purposes, we have 105 fresh, 65 gray and 45 black. Gray is always our limiting factor. Since we like to make things easy, enjoyable and comfortable for ourselves, our typical M.O. is to plan one week in any one spot. Assuming 60 gallons is our realistic "full" gray point (we don't want to be driving with concentrated gray water sloshing around in the shower!), that allows us to put 8.5 gallons of water down the sink/shower drains each day. Easy peasy, with Navy showers using about 1-1.5 gallons each, thoughtful washing of dishes, and of course always running the hot water for showering up into our trusty 1-gallon Rubbermaid pitcher, rather than have that go down into the gray tank, and then using the water in the pitcher to flush the toilet. We also shower one right after the other so we only have to run hot water up once. If we really like a place, and want to go 10 days, that takes us down to 6 gallons a day. That requires being extra vigilant with shower water use, which we can easily keep under 1 gallon each and still get a thorough shower. If we arrive at a cool spot and think "Wow! This is awesome... we've got plenty of food, nowhere we have to be, etc" we start right in one day one being more careful with water usage, and 10 days is still a breeze. We rarely stay anywhere longer than that, but it does happen..... usually when we make advance plans with friends. If we arrive in a boondocking spot knowing that we're willing to sacrifice a little on some things, we can easily hit two weeks, meaning averaging about 4.5 gallons down into the gray tank a day (4.5 x 14 = 63). The main "sacrifice" (and one reason we don't like staying that long) is using paper plates is a key to making it work. We don't like using too much paper, and will only do that when absolutely needed. We'll also use a napkin or paper towel to wipe off utensils before washing.... anything to conserve (it's surprising how much water dish washing uses compared to showering). And of course the entire time, we're in what we call "Super Boondock" mode.... hyper vigilant about water usage.... only one drop of water on the toothbrush, etc. The one thing neither of us are personally comfortable doing to save water (which a lot of people are fine with) is skipping shower days. We know people who shower every other day...... or even FAR less. :-/ We shower every night before bed, and won't sleep well without that. People with longer (or any! LOL) hair, might find it more challenging. We also use this super water-saving shower head: amzn.to/2leeXCX Hope this gives you an idea how we can do it without too much sacrifice!
@@RVgeeks So it all comes down to the hard reality of math. I'm with you on showering every day, although we do have the unscented wipes for in-between if it comes to that. Thank you so much for the response! A lot of your tips, tricks and gadgets have found their way into our RV. Including, by the way a new AAV valve that cured a stinky bathroom.
Actually can you tell me where I can find the black pipe itself? The one connected to the redi-vent piece? For some reason the previous owner cement fired it and now I need both parts 😫
That should be pretty standard plumbing pipe, available at any hardware/plumbing store (Home Depot, Lowes, etc). Usually 1.5", but check measurements to be 100% sure.
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.
Thanks so much Barry! You just made our day. Excited for you on your impending launch! 👍
Will a failure of an air admittance valve cause a nasty smell when you flush your toilet?
No, the air admittance valves are only a factor for the gray water system/plumbing. If you’re noticing a sudden change in odor from the black tank, it could be the result of build up (need to soak, clean, or power wash the interior of the tank), a change in your behavior (like leaving the bathroom vent fan running while flushing, which is pulling odors from the tank), or it could be a blockage on the black tank vent pipe to the roof (either from tank contents or from pests like mud daubers making a nest).