RV Toilet spraying water whenever you flush? Then this is the right guide for you. Read on as we share all possible reasons and fixes for this issue!
In case you’re in a hurry, here’s a table that gives you a quick overview and troubleshooting guide:
| Signs: | Problem: | What To Do: |
| Does the RV Toilet spray water from the bowl? | Water pressure in hooked-up sites could be the problem. | Get a water pressure regulator. And if you already have one, check it and replace it with a better model if necessary. |
| If the water pressure is not the problem. | Then, the residual air in the lines can also be the cause. | Try flushing and removing the residual air in the lines. Once it goes away, your toilet should work normally. |
| If the residual air is not the problem. | Then, there can be a defective valve in the lines causing the issue. | Try locating and repairing the valve if possible, or replace it entirely. |
| Does the water spray at the back of the wall? | Then, a broken vacuum breaker is the root cause. | Repair or replace the vacuum breaker |
Here’s Why RV Toilet Sprays Water From Bowl When Flushed:
The most likely reason an RV toilet sprays water from a bowl when flushed is the lack of a water pressure regulator or some defect in it. However, there can be other reasons like residual air in the lines, a defective valve, or a problematic vacuum breaker.
#1. Problem With Water Pressure
Many campers wonder whether they really need an RV water pressure regulator or not. Likely they have been camping for years without such equipment and still didn’t face any problems. Or it is also possible that they don’t want to spend on new camping gear.
It turns out that water pressure on camping grounds is not always what you would expect.
It can be too high or too low, or it may fluctuate between that range. In addition, the campground pressure can vary from site to site and season to season.
All these put you in an uncertain stage. This means you never know when you will hook up to the campground water source, which could result in damage.
So the best precaution is to install an RV water pressure regulator system. And you should install and use it every time you hook up to a camping site.
The RV water pressure regulator is like a valve that decreases the water pressure from the water source.
If the water coming from the water source is at high pressure, it can damage your RV. A water pressure regulator keeps the plumbing system in your RV safe.
Solution:
So if the toilet bowl sprays water, getting and installing an RV water pressure regulator makes sense. However, do you already have one? Then there could be some kind of problem with it. If it is already too old, you can also replace it.
Check out the best RV water pressure regulators available on Amazon.
How To Know Water Pressure Is The Main Problem?
Remove the connection from the campgrounds and try to use the tank water in your RV. See how the toilet flushing works. If it works normally, you can be sure that the problem is with water pressure fluctuation at the campground.
However, if it still sprays, the problem is not water pressure but something else.
#2. Residual Air In The Line
Does the water spraying problem from the toilet bowl intermittent? Or does it occur every time?
The air in the plumbing systems can sometimes cause an unusual problem of water splashing.
After removing the residual air from the line, everything should start functioning normally.
Solution:
You can try slowly releasing the flush system for the first few times and see if the air is removed from the line.
Once it happens, then you can expect it to work normally. Alternatively, you can also do the flushing faster if the first way doesn’t work. The goal is to remove any residual air in the lines.
However, if the toilet sprays, no matter how slow and fast you flush; the problem is something different.
#3. Defective Valve In The Line
Sometimes the valves in the plumbing lines can be defective. When water moves through the lines, valves act like checkpoints. In your case, it is possible that when the valve is opening, it acts just like when you put your thumb at the end of a water hose.
When water at normal pressure passes through a very small opening, the spray becomes intensified. However, when the same water, at the same pressure, passes through the normal opening, the spraying effect is less.
So the same thing could be happening with your case.
Solution:
You need to identify the problem in the lines, specifically the valve.
If you can repair and clear out the possible obstruction in the valve area, that’s good.
The idea is to open up the holes so water can flow normally through them.
However, if you find the valve is defective, replacing it with a bigger opening can be a good decision.
#4. Problems With Vacuum Breaker
In any plumbing system connected to the toilet, a vacuum breaker is an essential part. The function of a vacuum breaker is to prevent the contaminated water from getting elsewhere in the rest of your water supply. It prevents backflow and back-siphonage.
Often you can find a plastic disc with a vacuum breaker. When this plastic disc is pressed forward by the water supply pressure, it covers the vent holes.
However, when the supply pressure decreases, the plastic disc opens the vent holes again, letting the outside air in and preventing the water backflow.
Now, the disc won’t function appropriately if there is any problem with the vacuum breaker, especially if it is broken.
Solution:
Most of the time, you’ll find the vacuum breaker on the back side of domestic toilets. You’ll also find a plastic hose that should be entering the hole in the back of your toilet bowl from that location.
So you can first check the hose for any obstruction in the system. Then, you can check the vacuum breaker. If the repair is possible, it’s good. But if not, you can replace it and see if that fixes the problem.
You can watch this video about replacing an RV toilet vacuum breaker:
Why RV Toilet Spray Water At The Back Of The Wall When Flushed?
The most likely reason for that is a broken vacuum breaker.
The vacuum breaker prevents the black tank water from coming and mixing with the fresh tank water.
You may know about the term winterize. It means preparing your RV for the upcoming freezing temperatures of the winter.
During the winter season, when you winterize, you likely forget to flush the lines out. Or sometimes, you may add in some type of antifreeze substance but forget the toilet condition.
At the back of the toilet, we have the vacuum breaker, which holds water. When you don’t winterize it, what happens is the water inside the vacuum breaker freezes and ultimately breaks the vacuum breaker.
Later on, you go ahead and de-winterize your RV.
You take the RV out and start using the RV toilet as usual. But then, when you flush and press the pedal, you get water spraying all over the back of the wall.
So what to do?
Yes, if the vacuum breaker has gone bad due to negligence, the only option is to repair or replace it.
Also, you must ensure that when you winterize, you should run a food-grade antifreeze through your toilet. And during this time, you should hold down the toilet flush pedal until the colored antifreeze water comes out.
Once the pink water comes out, you can release the pedal and stop the flushing.
What Do If None Of The Methods Work?
If none of the troubleshooting guides we share work, your best bet is to first identify the toilet model you are using. Then you can just contact the manufacturer of that model for help. You can likely find its contact details online if it is a popular brand.
Alternatively, you can contact the place where you got the toilet. Was it a dealership? Then try contacting them; hopefully, they will better understand and solve your issues.
After all, if the toilet is defective, they must be receiving lots of similar complaints from users who already use that particular toilet brand. Hence, they could easily follow up with you and give you the necessary support.
Final Thoughts
In short, the most likely reason for RV toilet spraying when flushed is the water pressure disturbance in the lines. But the valves, air in the lines, or the vacuum breakers can also play a leading role in this kind of problem.
Have More RV Issues or Questions? We have got you covered. Check out some of our recommended guides below:
- Why Do RV Toilets Fill Up With Water? (Reasons & Fixes!)
- Here’s How To Get Dried Poop Out Of Your RV Tank
- Which RV Toilets Are More Reliable: Porcelain or Plastic?