collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank  (Read 5873 times)

Offline huntandjeep

  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 2900
  • Location: West Valley , Yakima
Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« on: May 22, 2017, 05:12:07 PM »
How often should you do it ?
Anyone that thinks a Glock is better than a 1911 paints his toenails.
Yakima Valley Mountaineers

Offline Mudman

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 7347
  • Location: Wetside rock garden.
  • Get R Done.
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2017, 05:16:31 PM »
 :dunno: I fill with bleach water every spring.  Then rinse rinse rinse and good for us.. 45 gallons and almost a half gallon.  Might be overkill?
MAGA!  Again..

Offline j_h_nimrod

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 1597
  • Location: Humptulips, WA
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2017, 05:46:21 PM »
Yep, half gallon is overkill. A half cup would be more like it. Chlorine efficacy as a disinfectant is actually inverse to concentration after a certain point, the more you add does not mean it will necessarily work better. Using untreated river and lake water in past holding tanks and constant use water systems (not drinking water), we would disinfect a couple times a year.

Offline Mudman

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2012
  • Posts: 7347
  • Location: Wetside rock garden.
  • Get R Done.
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2017, 06:29:02 PM »
Yep, half gallon is overkill. A half cup would be more like it. Chlorine efficacy as a disinfectant is actually inverse to concentration after a certain point, the more you add does not mean it will necessarily work better. Using untreated river and lake water in past holding tanks and constant use water systems (not drinking water), we would disinfect a couple times a year.
2 cups better?
MAGA!  Again..

Offline Oh Mah

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 6614
  • Location: region 3 Montana
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2017, 07:03:10 PM »
How often should you do it ?
Usually i winterize with the fresh water antifreeze so every year i put 2 cup bleach in the tank after about 5 gallons of water then i fill it and let set for about 3 hours,then i run out all ports for about 20 min. then i drain.not enough to hurt anything when filled back up with fresh water.(the parts per million are less than city water if you are using well)At any rate you do not need to rinse.run all ports again for about 5 min. and your good.
"Boss of the woods"
(this is in reference to the biggie not me).

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9266
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2017, 07:16:16 PM »
I've tried different brands but the smell that RV antifreeze leaves is terrible.
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline Oh Mah

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 6614
  • Location: region 3 Montana
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #6 on: May 22, 2017, 07:34:07 PM »
yes and fuzzy bubbles lol,after bleach its all good again.
"Boss of the woods"
(this is in reference to the biggie not me).

Offline bowNarrow

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 230
  • Location: puyallup
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #7 on: May 22, 2017, 08:04:09 PM »
This doesn't help with the cleaning part but I winterize with air by blowing out all the lines

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9266
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #8 on: May 22, 2017, 08:17:20 PM »
This doesn't help with the cleaning part but I winterize with air by blowing out all the lines

For sure a better route. Lesson learned.
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline Oh Mah

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+12)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 6614
  • Location: region 3 Montana
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #9 on: May 22, 2017, 08:26:24 PM »
actually blowing the lines out does nothing for the pump or holding tank.On my motor home getting to the pump to unhook the hose is not an option (factory placed pump).
"Boss of the woods"
(this is in reference to the biggie not me).

Offline Happy Gilmore

  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 5138
  • Location: Ronan, MT
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #10 on: May 22, 2017, 10:53:00 PM »
I can't remember the ratio but, when I've sanitized potable reservoirs it isn't that much bleach for a million or so gallons. Something like an 1/8th a cup for 50 gallons would be my guess off the top of my head.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt 1899

Offline Miles

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 3533
  • Location: Pensacola, Florida
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2017, 05:34:08 AM »
actually blowing the lines out does nothing for the pump or holding tank.On my motor home getting to the pump to unhook the hose is not an option (factory placed pump).

On some of the newer models they specify the procedure for blowing out the lines and it says nothing about having to unhook the pump.  Our 2016 Montana 5'er lists both winterizing options.  I've used the antifreeze because they have a port and you just hold the hose in the bottle while it sucks it up.  Open faucets and water valves till orange and close them up.


A couple cups of bleach is good.  Run faucets till you smell it, then let sit for 3-4 hours.

Offline Sumpnneedskillin

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 1614
  • Location: Pomeroy WA
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2017, 06:48:46 AM »
I just did this on my 5th wheel. 

50 ppm solution, 1/4 cup for every 15 gal, so 1-3/4-ish cup for 50 gal tank. Mix bleach with 3-1/2 gal of water, add to tank.

Run cold water faucets one at a time until you smell bleach.  Do the same with hot water.  Fill your water tank.  Let sit minimum of 4 hrs. 

Drain system, refill, flush water lines, drain tank. 

System is ready to use
What's the most dangerous thing said in the US Navy? -- A Chief Petty Officer saying "Watch this s$%^!!"

"I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: 'I served in the United States Navy.'"
President John F. Kennedy

Offline Timberstalker

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 9266
  • Location: Tri-Cities
  • Just one more ridge
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2017, 06:52:11 AM »
Great information here!

actually blowing the lines out does nothing for the pump or holding tank.On my motor home getting to the pump to unhook the hose is not an option (factory placed pump).

On some of the newer models they specify the procedure for blowing out the lines and it says nothing about having to unhook the pump.  Our 2016 Montana 5'er lists both winterizing options.  I've used the antifreeze because they have a port and you just hold the hose in the bottle while it sucks it up.  Open faucets and water valves till orange and close them up.


A couple cups of bleach is good.  Run faucets till you smell it, then let sit for 3-4 hours.

This is identical to mine, after reviewing it. :tup:
If you aint hunting, you aint livin'

Offline Miles

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 3533
  • Location: Pensacola, Florida
Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
« Reply #14 on: May 23, 2017, 06:55:23 AM »
Great information here!

actually blowing the lines out does nothing for the pump or holding tank.On my motor home getting to the pump to unhook the hose is not an option (factory placed pump).

On some of the newer models they specify the procedure for blowing out the lines and it says nothing about having to unhook the pump.  Our 2016 Montana 5'er lists both winterizing options.  I've used the antifreeze because they have a port and you just hold the hose in the bottle while it sucks it up.  Open faucets and water valves till orange and close them up.


A couple cups of bleach is good.  Run faucets till you smell it, then let sit for 3-4 hours.

This is identical to mine, after reviewing it. :tup:

Make sure you drain the water heater and turn the selector to heater bypass prior to introducing the antifreeze. 

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Idaho's new Deer/Elk License System by Bo_nimrod
[Yesterday at 11:06:12 PM]


Bearpaw Outfitters Annual July 4th Hunt Sale by bearpaw
[Yesterday at 09:52:46 PM]


Antelope next year? by jstone
[Yesterday at 07:39:59 PM]


Pinks! by Stein
[Yesterday at 06:33:42 PM]


Sportsman Alliance files petition to Gov Ferguson for removal of corrupt WA Wildlife Commissioners by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 06:29:43 PM]


Anybody breeding meat rabbit? by jackelope
[Yesterday at 06:09:07 PM]


2025 OILS! by Whitenuckles
[Yesterday at 05:16:45 PM]


2024 Quality Buck coming home by Whitenuckles
[Yesterday at 05:10:28 PM]


Alaska 2025 by Whitenuckles
[Yesterday at 05:09:18 PM]


Do folks run their refrigerators on Propane while towing their RV's? by huntandjeep
[Yesterday at 04:11:54 PM]


Tooth age on Quinault bull by nwwanderer
[Yesterday at 04:02:04 PM]


Skunks by Humptulips
[Yesterday at 02:21:06 PM]


Ross Lake boat launch? by cjjcb
[Yesterday at 02:06:21 PM]


Cougar Problems Toroda Creek Road Near Bodie by Sakko300wsm
[Yesterday at 01:50:02 PM]


Muzzleloader scope options by huntnphool
[Yesterday at 01:25:33 PM]


MOVED: Purebred Chesapeake Puppy by Woodchuck
[Yesterday at 01:18:02 PM]


2025 Montana alternate list by bear
[Yesterday at 05:38:00 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal