No More Leaking Sewer Hoses

by RV Enthusiast | Nov 3, 2021 | Pro Tip, RVEXPERT

There’s probably nothing messier and more embarrassing than watching in horror as the sewer hose pops off the termination pipe connector (bayonet fitting) — or leaks — while dumping the tanks.

Unfortunately, it happens all the time, usually caused by a hose clamp that has rusted and released. Many owners go by the “tighter is better” philosophy when turning the worm-screw drive on the hose clamp, overtightening to a point where the mechanism becomes distorted, rendering the clamp unreliable after a short while. And let’s not overlook the poor quality of these hose clamps.

Wrap the Teflon tape around the fitting a few times for a good seal. On the first wrap, place a finger on the end to keep the tape in place. Stretch the Teflon tape slightly so it will “stick” to itself and provide a smooth, and tight, surface. Once the Teflon tape is in place, slide the hose over the fitting carefully to avoid bunching the tape and compromising the seal. Don’t forget to add the hose clamp first.

A simple solution is to wrap Teflon tape around the RV termination pipe connector and the fitting on the dump-station drainpipe end before sliding on the hose and tightening the clamps. You should make several full wraps around the fitting, stretching the Teflon tape at the same time to assure it will “stick” to itself. It may take some finesse to get the hose to clear the Teflon tape and prevent bunching up next to the collar. Once the hose is in place, the clamp can be positioned and tightened moderately, without deforming the screw-drive mechanism. While it’s also possible to seal the hose to the fittings with silicone sealant, doing so requires scraping and annoying clean up when refreshing the connection.

The Teflon tape will provide a leak-free connection without the need to overtighten the hose clamp and distort the worm-screw drive.

We found Blue Monster PTFE Thread Tape #70885 to be the best Teflon tape product on the market. It’s available on Amazon and at hardware stores.

It’s best to repeat this procedure a couple times a year to stay ahead of any deterioration caused by the environment and hose fatigue (depending upon how often the RV is used and the tanks are dumped). One more thing: Most of the Teflon tape on the market is flimsy and not very durable. The best stuff is Blue Monster PTFE Thread Tape #70885 available from Amazon (https://amzn.to/3pUFg0o) or hardware stores.

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