how to hook up RV sewer at home

How to Hook up RV Sewer At Home: Quick and Effective DIY Guide

An RV is pretty much a home on wheels which is equipped with a variety of facilities from the toilet to the shower.  Stored in a large holding tank, water wastes of an RV would be released into a sewer drain when necessary. But what if you want to connect the RV to the house sewer line for an extended period of time? It could save you the hassle of cleaning the hose every time you empty the tank. In the case that it’s what you want then you come to the right place. You can learn how to hook up RV sewer at home through a step by step instruction here and now.

The Preparations

Connecting an RV to a permanent sewer line is easy, all you have to do is set up a piping system. As long as it got a suitable shape, the system will work. In order to do this right, you need to gather a couple of tool and material. Sewer hose adapter, hacksaw, three-inch diameter PVC pipe and rubber hose are the first things you must have which should be available in most hardware stores.  To secure the connections, hose clamp, PVC cement and cement primer and should come in handy. Finally, prepare several pieces of sandpaper to process the pipe cuts then you are good to go.

You will work around sharp tools, sawdust and contaminated area therefore proper protection is mandatory. Put on a pair of goggles, gloves, and face mask until you finish. Grab a bar of soap and wash your hands in hot water when you are done to ensure maximum safety for your health. If all are ideal then let’s get to work.

You may want to check this article about Best RV Sewer Hose to have a further understanding on how to choose a toughest and longest lasting sewer hose kit for your RV, travel trailer

PVC pipes

How to Hook Up RV Sewer At Home: The Procedures

Step 1: Get the adapter into the RV along with the rubber hose

Equip the holding tank with the sewer hose adapter by twisting it in with your hand. Promptly connect the adapter with a four-inch long rubber hose using the clamp. Fasten the clamp with a screwdriver to secure the hose. Next, measure the distance between the adapter and the ground then note it down. Use the figure to saw out a length of PVC pipe accordingly but remember to minus it by two inches. To make it simple, if the distance is around two inches, the PVC pipe should be one foot ten inch long.

Apply several drops of dishwashing liquid or alike into the pipe then work it into the hose. Outfit the pipe with a three-inch diameter elbow but remember not to glue it to the pipe. Process the pipe cut end to remove the burrs with sandpaper. Secure the pipe and the hose connection with a clamp as well.

Get the adapter into the RV

Step 2: Pipe cutting and joining

Cut out a six inch long PVC pipe and again process it with sandpaper to make sure its cut end is smooth. Scuff the end of this pipe and another piece of three-inch diameter elbow with a fine steel wool. After that, wipe their surfaces carefully using dry cloths. Apply a moderate amount of PVC cement and cement primer on the scuffed areas then join the elbow and the six-inch pipe together. Twist the pipe a bit to even out the cement between its end and the elbow. Position the pipe other end into the house sewer drain opening.

connect PVC pipe

Step 3: Connect the elbows

Measure the distance between the elbows open ends and cut out an appropriate length of pipe with the hacksaw. Fit the pipe into the elbows and see if you have to apply additional adjustments. When it seems ideal, scoff the pipe ends and the elbows then joint them together. Keep in mind to process the cuts end with sandpaper before connecting the components. Use the right amount of PVC cement and cement primer here as well. Twist the pipe to equally spread the bonding materials. The whole system is mostly completed at this stage. 

Step 4: Raise the piping

All you have to do is to create a nice drop that let the wastes from the tank flow nicely into the sewer. To do this, you can utilize either a support frame or pipe hangers for the job. The point is to keep the entire piping two inches off the ground. If you can do it then the system is ready, your RV is now firmly connected to the house sewer system. Give it a go and see the result with your own eyes.

motorhome sewer hook up

How to hook up RV sewer at home: Usage tips

Practice makes perfect

Well, although you’ve learned how to hook up RV sewer at home carefully, your first try with this system might not go according to plan, something can always go wrong unexpectedly. That is why it’s essential to not lose faith and keep trying till it works as you like. Trial and error will help you discover issues which you have to address. Eventually, all the faults will be worked out and the piping should perform exactly the way you want it.

Keep your hands cleaned

As stated above, whenever you handle the system, it’s best to wear a thick pair of waterproof gloves. There is a lot of sickness and disease you can contract when you deal with water wastes without proper protection.  Wash your hand with soap and hot water after you done to achieve maximum safety.

Pay attention to the state of the components.

The last thing you want is the system start leaking when you empty the RV tank. To avoid this situation, you must inspect and exam the components quality as frequent as possible. If you spot cracked pipes or punctured hose, proceed to replace them immediately. Preserve the system from outside elements to the best of your ability.

Conclusion

And that should enough to cover how to hook up RV sewer at home on your own, easy to understand, right? It may look a bit tricky to do at first but if you have patience, everything should be fine in the end. Follow the guide above and a functional waste disposal system shall appear in no time. For more RV waste water tips and knowledge, click here!

Last Updated on July 15, 2018

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