Flushing Fresh water tank

[ibra0078]

I am going to pull out the trailer from storage very soon and I want to flush my fresh water tank and lines as this will be the very first time as I just bought the trailer last year.

I have few question

1) The trailer is in the bypass mode as I left it like that when I winterized it, should I leave it in the bypass mode when cleaning out the lines and tank with blench?

2) Tank is 39 gals, how much bleach would one add to the fresh water tank?

3) I see that people use vinegar in their hot water tank to flush it out, how often is it recommended to do that? Every time when one pulls it out of storage

 

[Springhook]

1. I would first flush the fresh water tank with fresh water in bypass mode. Then, while still in bypass mode, sanitize.

2. The recommended ratio of bleach to water is 1/4 cup bleach to every 15 gallons.

3. Not sure about the vinegar, but it can't hurt.

 

[Fr8Train-JAY]

Leave it in bypass to do the bleach. On the bottle it should tell you the concentration for sanitizing.

 

[Stateboy]

I open the bypass so as to sanitize all lines and devices being affected by the fresh water tank (but that's me). I have no comment on the vinager but it sounds like a good idea. Here's a couple links from some reputable businesses to get you started. I think they say in the article but never dump straight bleach into the tank. Dilute it into a gallon of water to add it.

https://www.rvtrader.com/research/news-reviews/press-room/rv-how-tips-sanitize-your-rv-water-system

http://rvservices.koa.com/rvinformation/rvmaintenance/how-fresh-is-your-rv-fresh-water-system.asp

Jerry

 

[RedHorse1]

Springhook’s description is also what I do. I’d add flushing out the WH as well. There’s a WH flushing “wand” available that I bought. It will flush out a surprising amount of “stuff”. If you have a water filter I’d remove it before the flush/sanitize and put a new filter element in after you’re done.

 

[ibra0078]

Thanks for the information, just do be clear you guys bypass the hot water tank when flushing your fresh water tank?

 

[RedHorse1]

Thanks for the information, just do be clear you guys bypass the hot water tank when flushing your fresh water tank?

That’s what I do, also bypassed when I sanitize.

 

[GL243]

I'm in a similar boat, having bought the TT a couple months ago but haven't de-winterized it yet. It's all explained in the owner's manual, which pretty much says what the others here are saying. Re vinegar, however, that's for when you still have any water system odor problem, as I understand it, and you need to flush the vinegar out very thoroughly plus I believe it says don't get any of it in the water heater, if I read it correctly.

 

[norty1]

I sanitize with the water heater by-passed. Before filling it, I flush the scale out with the curved wand from Camco.

Drain all water/ antifreeze from fresh tank and water lines. Sometimes I blow them out with low pressure air before putting in the bleach mixture. My rig has a option to sanitize the lines and one to sanitize the fresh tank.

Afterward, drain and flush out lines, tank and run the pump to flush all bleach mixture from it.

I have never sanitized the water heater except once when I was using some well water and it had a sulpher smell.