Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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    • #3458
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      If you suddenly start noticing a stinky smell in your bus and your positive Jdub isn’t around after a Taco Fest, you might need new vents under your sinks. These vents are mounted on vertical PVC pipes at various locations in your bus. They allow air in but should prevent odors from escaping if they’re functioning correctly.

      They’re priced around $5.87 at Home Depot.

      #3460
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      Good call Truk. Kevin Erion pointed those out to me a couple of years ago when we were stinky…

      #3461
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      That was way harsh.

      #3462
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      We’re heading to Home Depot today! This issue happens intermittently in Evangeline and can get bad enough to make your eyes water sometimes!

      #3463
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      JDUB, it’s a good thing you’re built solid—otherwise, they’d come at you even harder than they already have! Keep standing strong and give ‘em H…!”

      #3464
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      Forget buying that vent—just join the PP. Word is, their stuff smells like roses!

      #3465
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      Dry drain traps from infrequent use can lead to unpleasant odors in the bus. I experienced this issue recently, and running the dishwasher and washing machine resolved the odor problem.

      #3466
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      For those with a Microphor electric toilet, be aware that there’s an overflow drain just beneath the rim of the porcelain. This is designed to let a small amount of fresh flush water flow into a hose that leads directly to the black tank. If this hose dries out due to infrequent use, it can cause odors in the bathroom. To address this, when adding your “Additive” through the toilet, fill the bowl and watch for water flowing down the tube to ensure a blockage in the hose. Also, if the air trap fails, running the AC or Fantastic Fan and pressurizing the bus can temporarily reverse the odor issue until you get a new valve. Based on my experience, this approach keeps things stink-free all the time.

      #3467
      MyPrevost
      Keymaster

      Our coaches, and possibly all motorhomes, often don’t meet the same plumbing standards as those found in most jurisdictions. The air admittance valve Tom mentions is a case in point. Most plumbing codes permit their use only under strict conditions because, when they fail (which they inevitably do), they allow sewer gas into the living area. Our vent systems probably wouldn’t pass a local plumbing inspector’s scrutiny.

      As Denny points out, keeping all traps filled can help reduce sewer gas presence. However, the air admittance valve, often used at end points like kitchen sinks, must also function properly. If the spring or check valve fails, it needs to be replaced.

      The drainage systems in our coaches also fall short of code compliance, with several potential cross-contamination points—one of the biggest concerns in plumbing. Sometimes converters create opportunities for cross-contamination, like in holding tank clean-out provisions, but there are less obvious risks of fresh water contamination. This isn’t meant to alarm but to encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with their coaches and be aware of where converters have installed backflow prevention measures, such as check valves. These devices, like the air admittance valves, should be checked periodically to ensure they’re functioning correctly. Unlike the odors from a faulty admittance valve, cross-contamination may not be as apparent.

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