7 Common Thetford Cassette Toilet Problems (Troubleshooting)

The world has progressed a lot, and one can get vivid proof by observing the modern equipment filling up the RVs. Those days are gone when you could hardly fit yourself in a vehicle. Now, there are even ovens and stoves in your travel vehicles. It’s like carrying your home with you.

Modern advancement has led to installing a toilet system in the washroom of your RV, which is the perfect way to clear the doubts of travellers about personal hygiene and convenience. You no longer have to visit the communal restroom.

Thetford has achieved recognition in the market by installing cassette toilets for the very ease of people. Now you get the privacy and functionality within your RV that you have always looked for.

They have a massive lineup for their users to select from. There is no end to the variety of their quality products. Depending on your needs and requirements, they offer you a number of options to choose from.

In this article, there will be a discussion on the root causes of the most frequent problems with Thetford cassette toilets and their solutions. With proper maintenance and care, anyone can keep the smells and clogs at bay. Let’s look more into this.

Thetford Cassette Toilet Problems

Some of the most common problems faced with Thetford are described as under:

1. Flush Not Working

The hindrance in the working of the flush is a common problem, whether it’s a domestic toilet or a Thetford cassette one. However, there is no need to overestimate the scale of the problem before thoroughly assessing it. There can be several causes of this issue.

Many people have reported that the flush on it can sometimes stop working while using this device. The first thing that you should check is the fuse placed on the devices. Most of the time, it’s 3A or 5A. This can break out sometimes, which causes the flush to stop functioning. Sometimes the fuse might look visually intact, but it can be defective from within.

You can easily access the fuse by opening up the main tank on your toilet. Find the defective fuse and then replace it with a new one. Sometimes users might have trouble trying to locate the device. If that happens, you can contact the company and ask them to send in a person for you.

Alternatively, you can consult the manual that comes with the toilet. This should contain all the information about the device’s parts and their positions. You can use it to replace the device. Keep in mind that when replacing it, you have to make sure that you purchase a fuse that is compatible with your toilet.

It is possible that replacing the fuse might not solve the flush problem . In that case, you have to access the flush water pump that lies in the tank itself. The burning out of the pump can cause problems with the flush. Your local dealer can get you an equivalent in no time.

The flush button not working is yet another factor that can stop the working of the flush altogether. Although this problem is rare, it’s not wrong to say that this immediate part can require replacement if the fuse and flush water pump are in order.

2. Faulty Valves

There are two ways to know if there is any problem with the valves. Either you’ll see that there is no release of water, or the water will be leaking in bulk. If you notice any of these situations, the first thing to do is empty the water tank.

Ensure that the tank has entirely run out of water before proceeding with any troubleshooting. This will protect you from the water getting leaked out when trying to check the device.

You can then start by taking a look at your valves and pipes. When touching these, it is better to wear a pair of plastic gloves to save yourself from the harm of bacteria.

Make sure that all the valves and connections are tight. Furthermore, check if any dents in the pipes or they have become damaged. Any loose or broken lines should be replaced with new ones, and the connections should all be firm. You can then fill the water back in, and your issue should now be gone.

3. Faulty Toilet

Sometimes, even if you have tried all the troubleshooting steps, the problem persists. This usually indicates that your toilet has become faulty. The only thing you can do in this condition is to contact Thetford directly. Talk to them about your issue in detail so that they can come up with a solution regarding it.

Suppose your toilet is still under warranty provided by the company. Then it is recommended that you go through the guidelines and see if it can be claimed. The brand will then provide you with a replacement unit or fix your device. If not, you will have to purchase an utterly brand-new toilet and get it installed.

It is always better if you ask someone from the company’s support team to come in and check the toilet for you. They should be able to thoroughly go through all the troubleshooting steps and help you out.

Though, these toilets will eventually die out and need a replacement at some point. So, when purchasing a new one, make sure that you go through their specifications beforehand. These prevent the user from running into further problems in the future.

4. The Toilet is Clogged

Toilet clogging can happen at inconvenient hours, so staying prepared is better. Anyone with a toilet system in an RV must have a flexible toilet tank wand. Ensure that a high-pressure spray on the rod can smoothly access the pipe and break up the clogs in one go.

Another way to solve this problem is to open the toilet valve and pour a few pots of boiling water into it. Make sure that hot water sits overnight. Alternatively, you can also try the ice cube method, which is supposed to contain de-clogging chemicals.

There is a variety of toilet paper on the market. Sometimes people buy toilet paper that is not suitable for use in RVs. It can also result in clogging. If you have kids, there is a high chance that they dropped some toy in the toilet, causing the clogging.

5. Leaking Toilet Liquid From Bowl Into Cassette Compartment

There is a solid connection between the bowl and the portable black water cassettes in all the cassette toilets. Anything weakening this connection can cause problems with the leaks.

At the time of water drainage, there is a high chance that the accumulation of a few drops of flush water can take place between the rubber seals. There is nothing to worry about regarding the safety of your caravan or motorhome because the water is clean . You will have to inspect the gum and grease for effective contact.

If you experience an unpleasant smell, there is a high chance that the water is unclean. Check the position of the cassette. Make sure it is placed correctly. If not, refit it and tighten the rubber ring. The cassette has plastic grooves that can get worn out over time. The position of the cassette can also get affected by the presence of foresight objects under it.

The rubber packing of the cassette also needs checking. Sometimes it gets displaced and affects the flush. There is an easy solution to this problem, unlike with lip seal. One cannot do anything if there is damage to the lip seal. The only way out of that is to place an order for the new cassette.

6. Flush Water Continues To Run After Flush

Some travellers might experience this problem frequently. As soon as the flush water tank is filled to the brim, the user flushes the toilet, and there is a continuous rush of water into the bowl. Water can run into the bowl until there is no more water in the flush water tank.

The primary reason for this is the sticking of muck or some paper in the anti-siphon valve. Another reason could be the overuse of rinse aid. You can solve this problem by flushing several tanks of warm water. This can get rid of paper stuck in the valve. If this isn’t helpful, you’d have to take out the anti-siphon valve and do manual cleaning. The last option would be to replace the valve.

7. No Filling Level Display

Toilet paper can cause the jamming of the float in the cassette. If you are not sure about this, you can avoid the overfilling by visually checking right away. The best thing to do is empty the cassette as soon as possible.

After you are done emptying the cassette, do the cleaning of the float in the cassette but not with the help of any high-pressure cleaner. Filling it with clean water and firmly shaking it will do the job of releasing the float.