A brief introduction to the Caravan Toilets
Everything you’ve would like to know about the toilet, but weren’t sure if you should inquire
It’s possibly the least exciting aspect of caravanning, but it’s only when you’re at the middle of the night, and it’s throwing it into the middle of the typical British summer, that you realize that the toilet inside the caravan can be worth its weight in gold metaphorically.
In the past when you were a kid, you’d have to carry an umbrella, a torch, and a waterproof toilet paper rolls and fight the elements in those moment of necessity. If you were a camper you may have an outdoor toilet of some kind, but no matter the size of your tent, or an awning, it’s present.
The introduction of chemical toilets – first as a standalone device, later built-in comfort and luxury to a level that was not recognized and meant that, now, you will never again be caught out…
Different types of caravan toilets
Cassette Toilets
Modern caravans come with an in-line toilet. The toilet is built in the caravan as it is constructed and, in your bathroom all you can see is a standard seat on top of a flat surface or a pedestal. There is possibly a lever opening door to the trash tank as well as an option to flush. The waste tank (the cassette) is accessible via the outside, so that the disposal of waste – which is in actual fact, not as hazardous as many people imagine is done completely outside the caravan in order to make the experience so clean and tidy as is possible.
Chemical Toilets
The past was when older caravans were equipped with bathrooms, but before cassette toilets became commonplace and widespread, many had an individual chemical toilet. They either operate similarly similar to a cassette toilet having a flush tank as well as the waste tank forming an integrated unit, but separated in order to flush the waste tank and fill the toilet flush – also known as an example of a Porta Potti or as a unit, which needed to be flushed in a single unit once full , and held a tiny quantity of water for flushing.
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Toiletries
How do chemical toilets work?
The clue lies in the name: chemical toilet. Instead of flushing waste into the sewer system, and then on to a large-scale disposal facility the toilet in a caravan stores the waste until it is able to be cleaned out – each day or less often depending on the usage – in the facility offered by the place you’re staying at.
Chemicals are employed to start with the breaking process for debris and removing the smell prior to it being disposed into the system your business utilizes. This could be a cess pit , one that is underground and holds waste and has to be regularly pumped out or the septic tank which employs a simple treatment method to break down liquid and solid waste, and then allow treated water to soak up.
The issue is with formaldehyde.
In the beginning, the chemical toilet waste fluid was built on formaldehyde which is excellent at eliminating the bacteria that are present in human waste and causes it to breakdown quickly. One of the issues with it is that it kills the bacteria utilized in septic tanks, for instance, or in larger-scale treatment processes and prevents them from working.
This is why some modern chemical producers tend not to employ the ingredient (though there are some that use it, so be cautious) and are comprised of a variety of other components that aim to fulfill the same task, however not affecting treatment systems later in the future. They include biocides which are used to control harmful organisms, as well probiotics and enzymes, which operate on the same basis as probiotic drinks that boost the growth of bacteria. But there are some drawbacks and the way biocides are controlled over the next few years is likely to become much more strict and both probiotics and enzymes, although efficient, can take some time to get going – 12-14 hours. If your toilet is subject to frequent or heavy use, you might have to empty it prior to when they’ve begun to show any tangible impact. Therefore, products like Qalkem’s Eco Green have been developed to ensure that the breakdown process is functioning quickly without affecting other treatments later.
No harmful chemicals
The majority of people are familiar with the brand name Elsan The chemical expert also makes an organic chemical that functions as flush fluid as well as a waste fluid. It does not contain hazardous chemicals. Therefore as per the manufacturer the waste cassette is able to be dumped into the toilet tank. Dometic is perhaps most well-known for its refrigerators as well as its range of chemical products, including tablets for the waste tank to reduce the risk of spills, as well as an array of cleaning solutions for toilets, to the overall caravan.
The waste is kept in a storage tank, which will later be flushed the toilets at caravans need flushing, just like one would be found at home. It must be primarily water, to flush the waste out when you’re completed. Typically, toilets that have flush tanks, in contrast to those with direct-feed water sources will include an ingredient that is chemical due to two reasons: firstly, it can aid in flushing the waste away and avoid it adhering to the bowl. Secondly it can provide pleasant scents to cover the smell of the tank that holds waste.
Suggestions for Chemical Alternatives
There is an idea which suggests that instead of using chemicals which some individuals oppose in principle, laundry products could be utilized instead. In particular, a biological wash liquid – the more affordable the better – can reduce the solid waste, particularly inside the tank.
But, they do it with enzymes and, as we’ve learned, these aren’t as effective as needed, possibly creating a buildup of odours that emanate from your waste tanks. It’s also possible that fabric conditioner could be added to the water tank used to flush. This can aid in creating a pleasant scent during flushing. However, this an additional masking technique rather than addressing the issue at hand.
Also, there’s some discussions about the effects this could affect the sewage treatment process in the future; however, at home, the waste of washing machines and toilet will be able to flow through the same system of sewage. more concentrated amounts could cause harm to the septic tanks, as an example since they are made to wash clothes, not to treat human waste, and may contain bleach.
To be on the safer side, we recommend making use of specific fluids specifically designed for the task in your hands.