Mouse found

[Big G]

Hi all, I was doing a pre fit of the fresh water tank when i notice a smell coming from the tank. Looked inside and could not see anything. Put about ten gallons of cold water into the tank and that's when I found the dead mouse. Drained the tank and made a special tool to extract the critter out of the vent hole. It came out in peaces and I had to put on a respirator to finish the extraction. Re-flush the tank to remove the rest of the mouse. Now I still have the dead mouse smell still in the tank, my question is should I re-flush the tank with a large amount of bleach or replace the tank? The tank is the original one from 1974.

[dznf0g]

I would concentrate bleach, let soak, and follow up with baking soda solution. And maybe repeat. Everything can be cleaned and sterilized.

[OTRA15]

Is there any chance of removing the drain for the fresh water tank, in order to have a larger exit for any remaining solid particles to leave by gravity forced by lots of fresh water from above? You could replace the drain valve as an upgrade at the same time . . .

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I would concentrate bleach, let soak, and follow up with baking soda solution. And maybe repeat. Everything can be cleaned and sterilized.

Without a larger exit hole near the bottom of the tank, don't you risk leaving solid material in the tank? Like bones including the skull? Or do we know for sure that nothing solid is left?



PS also, are we all assuming there was only one dead mouse in the tank? Rent a plumber's snake camera which they use to check out sewer lines? They have little headlamps . . .

[dznf0g]

I am assuming the tank is out or has a large bung in the bottom. Everything need to be 100% flushed. Sorry for this exclusion.

[dznf0g]

My tank has a 3 or 4 " bung in the bottom. I flushed a handful of plastic shavings out of mine when I found a plastic fouled pump early on.

[OTRA15]

Sorry my mistake, the original post does suggest the tank is out and probably does not contain any other solid material.

[Dingo Girl]

I would be afraid that the bleach solution might make a 40 year old plastic water tank even more brittle.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

I would be afraid that the bleach solution might make a 40 year old plastic water tank even more brittle.

What does one have to lose?

[CRH]

I would let it soak with a reasonable bleach solution, rinse well, move on and try not think about it for my first glass or two of water.

[Big G]

I would like to thank very one who has responded to my post. The tank was removed last Novenber before winter set in. I pulled it out in peacees through the upper vent hole, then filled the tank with about ten more gallons of water to flush out any remnants that were left with a long safety wire hook. It sure stunk so bad that I had to put on a restorater to finish the job. But it is removed. I will try using some bleach to completely reflust the tank tomorrow.

[Dingo Girl]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

What does one have to lose?

You could lose 20+ gallons of water all over the floor.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Big G

Now I still have the dead mouse smell still in the tank, my question is should I re-flush the tank with a large amount of bleach or replace the tank? The tank is the original one from 1974.

I'd recommend replacing the tank, if you can find one that will fit. Plastics that absorb odors are not food-safe by modern standards, and potable water should only be stored in tanks made of food-safe materials.

Back in 1974 the concept of food-safe materials wasn't very well-developed, so tanks that were considered safe then might not be considered safe today.

Plus, plastic that absorbs chemicals from the tank contents (including odoriferous chemicals from decomposing organic matter) might also leach out other chemicals that make up the plastic and become brittle when the chemical composition changes.

[Big G]

Thanks everyone for the input. Filled the tank up to the first indent or baffle from the bottom as it stands on flat edge added a gallon of bleach then covered the opening so as to no or little water leaking out. When flipping the tank on its side this is when I found that it has two pin holes in it. Now I will have to fix it before I fill it again. Have taken some photos that I will post in the morning.

[OTRA15]

If you found pinholes, there are potentially going to be more about to happen IMO, in a tank this old. I would focus on getting a replacement tank somehow, as this would be a better investment for the long haul. Better to bite this bullet now IMO.

Once you get the original tank back in place, fixing new pinholes etc. will be a real pain . . .

Good luck!

Peter

[rvb]

I agree with Protagonist. Water tanks are not that expensive in the big picture of things and you will always know there was once a dead decomposing mouse in your water. I would get a new tank particularly with the existing pin holes and future problems related to those.