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Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
I just experienced a major water disaster. My toilet overflowed, and now there are probably between 5 and 15 gallons of water in various places in my RV, including under the rear lounge carpet. I'm driving to Walmart now to buy lots of towels to soak it up, but I don't know if that will be enough. Some of the water also made in some of the basement storage compartment und dripped onto the ground

About an hour and a half ago, I used the toilet, flushed, and the ball closed the bowl. Apparently, the water continued to run until the water pump gave out. My AC was running, and I was writing a complicated email. I didn't hear anything. (I'm on shore power, but I was still using my fresh water tank and water pump.) When I finally saw the water and opened the bathroom door I saw the overflowing toilet bowl.

I do have a new water pump. Am I correct in assuming that I have to empty the water tank completely before installing the new pump?

If I buy enough towels to soak up a lot of water from the carpet and below it, will that be enough, or do I have to rip out the carpet?

I'm kind of desperate and am even considering driving home and calling it quits, at least for this year.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
I do have a new water pump. Am I correct in assuming that I have to empty the water tank completely before installing the new pump?
Yes, according to this companion article:

     The Lazy Daze Companion: Water Pumps

As to the dry out, depends on how much you can soak up and how quickly you can dry things up, hot dry air circulating will be your friend.

How awful to have that happen on the road.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #2 –
You might want to contact a carpet cleaning company, like Stanley Steamer. I know they will want an address to schedule it and not sure if you would want to deal with scheduling it. They have high powered suction to get that moisture out of the carpet.  What a situation, hope you find a solution soon Klaus.
2000 Mid Bath
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #3 –
I'm back from Walmart. I used ten towels in the parking lot until they were only slightly wet (the first ones I used are still dripping with water).

I bought a box fan, but I also have a Vornado space heater which I will turn on a little later while I'm gone to visit neighbors.

In a way, I'm lucky that this happened while I was at Ridgway State Park in Colorado. I just arrived yesterday for a six-week volunteer job. I have full hookups, and there's a free laundry for volunteers just a couple of steps away. I'm going to wash and dry all the towels now and then see how much more water I can get out of the carpet.

Even with some good fortune amid the misfortune, I think this is quite awful.

Thanks for your replies! I really appreciate it.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #4 –
In order to avoid emptying the tank to change the pump, I installed shutoff valves around the pump. You have to drain the tank this time, but the next time you won’t. You might do a forum search for specifics. You can expect to need to change the pump in the future.

2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #5 –
This happened to me once about 25 years ago. I had let Camping World winterize the coach, and the third or fourth time I used the toilet, the water connection broke and the pump just ran and ran. I had gone shopping with friends, and when I came back I was horrified to see a sheet of water (!) pouring out of the bottom of the rig.

The good news is that once I'd shut down the pump and swept most of the water out the door, I borrowed my friend's Shop-Vac wet/dry vacuum and sucked out most of the rest. I left all the windows open and fans running for a few days and everything dried out with no aftereffects.

So your rig isn't ruined, Klaus. If you can borrow or buy a wet/dry vacuum, that will help a lot. Walmart has them for as little as forty bucks.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #6 –
Forgot about wet/dry vacs Andy, that would be the best option for drying things out!
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #7 –
"Am I correct in assuming that I have to empty the water tank completely before installing the new pump?"
There is a tool you can use, I forget the name, to pinch the water line coming from the water tank into the pump that will allow you to change the pump without draining the water tank.  Or as someone else has posted, add a shut off valve before the pump, so the next time you need to change the pump it will be easier. 

You might want to change your toilet parts as well.  If the shut off valve for the toilet sticks it will keep filling the bowl as it happened to me recently.  Had recently installed new non-dometic toilet parts.  We were dry camping with other RV's with some using generators.  Used the toilet and thought all was good and jumped into the shower.  Could not hear that the water pump was continuing to run, although thought water pressure was a little low during the shower.  After showering opened the shower curtain and found water overflowing from the toilet.  Luckily it was just under the toilet that was wet and it was a short shower.  There was still plenty of water in the tank.  The water didn't go anywhere else beside into the ground outside.  It was very hot and dry that weekend and everything dried quickly.  Afterwards I replaced the toilet parts with Dometic parts and now the toilet is definitely springing shut. 

JohnF
2003 TK
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #8 –
Quote from: JohnF  - 
"Am I correct in assuming that I have to empty the water tank completely before installing the new pump?"
There is a tool you can use, I forget the name, to pinch the water line coming from the water tank into the pump that will allow you to change the pump without draining the water tank.

Perhaps you're thinking of a hemostat?
Perhaps renting a carpet cleaner, usually found in grocery stores, sometimes Home Depot or Lowes, around here (Virginia), might be an option also.
Ken
Former 2009 MB owner
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #9 –
We had a similar incident just a few months ago. I think the foot pedal got stuck down from me adding extra water. Water was dripping out along the driver's side. We were on our last night of a two week trip. We ended the night a bit early (the wife used some towels) and then we drove the 3 hours home the next morning. I used a Kobalt 24v cordless shop vacuum and was able to get most of it, the next day use the vacuum again but it was dry from what I did the day before.  Also, we left a round floor fan blowing to the back and the AC on when we got home for about four days.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #10 –
Thanks again for all your replies.

I installed a new water pump (Shurflo Revolution 4008-101-X65).

There was a little water on the floor around the pump from disconnecting the old pump, so I want to wait until it has completely dried before checking for leaks and securing the new pump to the floor.

The new pump works. However, it does not switch off when I close the outlet I am using. The pump then becomes quieter, but continues to run until I switch it off at the control panel (after not more than one minute).

Could this be because the pump wants to build up more pressure before switching off?

Before installing the pump, I set the shut-off pressure as shown in the picture on the water pump article on the Lazy Daze Companion website (see link above).

I would like to reduce this pressure. Is that a good idea? The problem is that the pump is installed in such a way that the adjustment screws are on the back and extremely difficult to reach while the pump is installed.

The new pump currently has significantly more pressure than the old one (which had been getting weaker for a while). I can live with less pressure just fine.

Or could there be other reasons why the pump isn't shutting itself off? Or should I just let the pump run for a few more minutes (which would make me a little nervous)?

In any case, I'm over the initial panic and will get things sorted out somehow—thanks in part to this forum. Thank you all.

Klaus

PS: My main question right now is if it is likely that the shut-off pressure is set too high and needs to be adjusted.
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #11 –
Klaus, when you return home from your travels get yourself a home dehumidifier of your choice (see link as an example) and set it up in the central area of interior. Close up the coach tight and run the dehumidifier for a few days. This will draw almost any dampness left in the walls, floors and cabinets throughout the interior. Check and drain the water holding tank daily. That will be an indication of the completeness of the drying cycle. 
Mike C
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #12 –
Quote
My main question right now is if it is likely that the shut-off pressure is set too high and needs to be adjusted.

Either a leak or an adjustment. Grab a 2mm allen wrench and try to adjust it. Following the instructions I could never get it right so I usually just open a faucet just slightly and adjust it until there is not chatter. I've had to adjust this SureFlo several times. I think I'll go back to a Remco AquaJet.

For easier adjustment, you might consider reorienting the pump. That's what I did.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #13 –
To avoid having to empty the water tank each time you do any work on the plumbing, I think it is a good idea to have a shut off valve.
Mentioned in a previous post, the Parker Liquifit PBPP8VUC8 at $10.90 is very small, has hose barb fittings, and is NSF listed for pure water. Stainless steel ball, 1/4 turn.
   I have it in, I used clamps on the hose at each end for insurance.
I think Greg (HiLola) used one.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #14 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
To avoid having to empty the water tank each time you do any work on the plumbing, I think it is a good idea to have a shut off valve.
Mentioned in a previous post, the Parker Liquifit PBPP8VUC8 at $10.90 is very small, has hose barb fittings, and is NSF listed for pure water. Stainless steel ball, 1/4 turn.
   I have it in, I used clamps on the hose at each end for insurance.
I think Greg (HiLola) used one.  RonB

Yes, available at Zoro, Grainger, etc. I used hose clamps as well.

https://www.zoro.com/parker-manual-2-way-ball-valve-barb-polypro-pbpp8vuc8/i/G004319518/?q=Parker+Liquifit+PBPP8VUC8
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #15 –
Greg,
   Vertical water pump mount. What a great idea! I might have to follow suit.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #16 –
I like the idea of the vertical mount also. Instead of the quarter turn ball valve, I used a bypass valve so I can easily pump in RV antifreeze for winterization. I'm guessing that not everyone is worried about that.

Jon
1994 MB
 
Re: Major Water Disaster - Overflowing Toilet
Reply #17 –
Quote from: jor  - 
Vertical water pump mount. What a great idea! I might have to follow suit.

That’s the way it was when I purchased it. 👍
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264