In-Between Fresh Tank Cleanse

[215Airhaus]

Just got back from cross country. I want to drain the fresh tank remnants, obviously, but should I then treat with a bleach solution? We plan on using as much as possible, even this weekend, so should I just drain it, and refill with fresh when I'm ready to roll?

[OTRA15]

That's all we have done for many years, with frequent trips during the camping season. Be sure to use a new potable water hose and new inline filter each season IMO. Depending on volume during the summer, a new filter may be in order at some point.

We also drain the water heater frequently, to minimize mineral deposits settling inside at the bottom, which is convenient to do in our driveway. Not necessary if this is a chore IMO.

Happy trails,

Peter

[s1000pre]

I do it twice per season. If you are using good quality city water, it’s treated with chlorine. I’ve heard once per season... it’s drinking water for us, I’m not worried about over doing it!

[BigSxyWhtGuy]

I do the chlorine sanitize after we haven’t used the fresh tank for awhile. If we are on city hookups for 13 weeks for example, we will sanitize fresh tank before we hit the road.

[tbrowne]

Personally, I think it's sufficient to drain and refill with fresh water. Just disinfect the tank at the beginning of the season unless you have reason to believe the tank has been tainted.

[JDG]

Check out this article from USA TODAY:

Dead snakes and mice, toxic sludge: How pathogens go unnoticed in America's water towers

https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/ne...es/6769259002/

Perhaps it’s not the tank you have to worry about.

[OTRA15]

Tanks for the link!

[ITSNO60]

I've always just used the bleach method but I noticed the other day they sell kits to freshen your fresh water tank, are they better than just using good old bleach?

[OTRA15]

Must be bettah . . . they cost more . . .

[Mikebrady62]

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

I've always just used the bleach method but I noticed the other day they sell kits to freshen your fresh water tank, are they better than just using good old bleach?

I have never used the kits, from what I understand they leave less of a bleach order afterwards. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

[GammaDog]

Two things to keep in mind... 1. Your tank doesn’t actually empty when you drain it. There is always water left because t he bottom of the tank bows down (if your specific trailer has a black plastic water tank shroud with metal straps just look at the shape to see what I mean) and because the outlet is set into the side of the tank, not the actual low point on the bottom. And 2. The blue Camco filters we all use to remove sediment also remove chlorine (the first selling point in the Amazon listing says so).

So, the thought of leaving a gallon or two of warm (in Florida, everything is warm), lightly chlorinated water in the system for months in storage doesn’t feel right to me.

Given that, I purify the water system about twice a year... preferably before storage or before we start traveling. 1/4 cup of bleach in 40 gallons is my formula... run it through all the lines (hot and cold) then drain the system (remembering that “drained” isn’t actually empty). I fill and flush before the next trip then fill for use.

I only ever once did that during a trip. I took on water that I realized afterward was from a source I shouldn’t have trusted (my bad at a dump station with both potable and non-potable taps... probably the same water, but I used the one closer to the sewer connection and felt I needed to start over).

That’s me.

[Minno]

We sanitize at the start of every season (spring) using 1/4 cup bleach for every 10 gallons of capacity in our fresh tank, flush through system, drain, flush. Then I use baking soda to get rid of bleach taste (about a cup for every 10 gallons capacity, and repeat flush after 3 days. We drink our water and have never had any problems.
When we're filling for a trip, we start filling the tank with the drain valve open for the first few minutes o flush the old water out, then close valve and start filling in earnest.


Kay

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Mikebrady62

I have never used the kits, from what I understand they leave less of a bleach order afterwards. I'm not sure if this is true or not.

We find the temporary bleach odor reassuring FWIW . . . but we don't drink the tank water.

YWaOdMV

[Gigler]

I always keep a little bleach in my fresh tank because we don’t drink that water. I have noticed that when I run the water pump that my shower head and toilet flush water flows a lot better. I have followed this practice for 17 years. IT WORKS AMAZING.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Keep in mind that you *can* overdo this. Plumbing is designed to deal with water, not liquid bleach......

Bob

[Atwebs]

Check your water to see if you need to sanitize the tank or not. Usually if the weather is moderate and you haven't added yucky water, you don't need to do it more than twice a year. We drain after a trip, then when we are ready to go again, we usually put a couple of gallons it, then drain that into a white bucket. We look (green is not good...), smell (once had rotten egg smell...not good either) and perhaps taste (usually don't swallow, just mouth rinse) the water to determine if it needs more sanitizing. Any concerns -go get the bleach.

No more than 1 ounce of bleach for every 8 gallons of water in your tank -and you can use less. Some city water has chlorine already in it (ours does) so during parts of the year we don't even need to add any at all (you can smell it!). Temperature does play a part in dissipating the chlorine (hot is faster).

[guskmg]

In 52 seasons of camping I have never sanitized a fresh water tank. Just consume and fill then drain if winterizing. I use a blue filter for filling and keep going. Never any bad taste or dirty water.
guskmg

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by guskmg

In 52 seasons of camping I have never sanitized a fresh water tank. Just consume and fill then drain if winterizing. I use a blue filter for filling and keep going. Never any bad taste or dirty water.
guskmg

Same here

[215Airhaus]

Thank you for all of the great information, folks. Cheers!

[brendakerry]

If using bleach do you run it through the hot water heater or bypass?

Thanks