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Title: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: huntandjeep on May 22, 2017, 05:12:07 PM
How often should you do it ?
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Mudman 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?
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: j_h_nimrod 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.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Mudman 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?
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Oh Mah 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.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Timberstalker on May 22, 2017, 07:16:16 PM
I've tried different brands but the smell that RV antifreeze leaves is terrible.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Oh Mah on May 22, 2017, 07:34:07 PM
yes and fuzzy bubbles lol,after bleach its all good again.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: bowNarrow 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
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Timberstalker 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.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Oh Mah 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).
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Happy Gilmore 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.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Miles 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.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin 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
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Timberstalker 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:
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Miles 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. 
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Timberstalker on May 23, 2017, 07:14:22 AM
Did that much. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Fishstiq on May 23, 2017, 07:26:42 AM
I've always heard 1/4 cup bleach for every 15 gallons, and to sanitize before the beginning of each season (so once a year).
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Happy Gilmore on May 23, 2017, 08:57:33 PM
concentration of solution too of course but, I'd assume youre talking Clorox from the store too.
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: huntandjeep on May 25, 2017, 06:26:57 PM
So once a year at the start of the year. This is the 1st full year we will have owned our trailer and I wasn't sure if it's an every trip thing or what. Thanks
Title: Re: Sanitizing RV fresh water tank
Post by: Mudman on May 25, 2017, 07:23:08 PM
Ya that's how I do it for years.  I do like to fill tank so all surfaces are treated.  I am guilty of too much bleach it seems but after few rinses all we taste is slight odor of city water.    Besides its a good way to flush out winter antifreeze crap too!
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