Cleaning RV Fresh Water Tank
Cleaning Your Fresh Water Tank
Tips
-Clean your water tank at least once a year to help prevent bacteria from growing, bad smells, and to keep water fresh.
-Use approximately 6 fluid ounces (180 mL) of bleach per every 15 gallons (57 L) of water your tank can hold.
-Want an option other then Bleach Chlorine? We sell Camco Spring Fresh Water System Cleaner!
-Do not drain your water heater if it is hot or under pressure.
1) Drain the water
To drain your RVs water supply. Shut off the water pump to ensure the pump is not running dry which could cause it to overheat. Drain the water heater, open the water lines (hot and cold) beneath your RV and let them drain, then find the fresh water tank drain, pull the plug, and let the water run out.
Take off any water filters hooked to the water lines and let us know if you need replacement filters to help avoid reintroducing bacteria into your tank afterwards.
After you've drained the system. Close the drains to ensure your bleach chlorine water mix doesn't leak out when sterilizing.
2) Sterilize your Tank, Lines, and Water Heater
Do not pour undiluted chlorine directly into your water tank. It could damage your system. You can use roughly 6 ounces of chlorine bleach per 15 gallons of water to fill your tank. Mix chlorine bleach and a couple gallons of water into your system first. Then fill up the rest of the tank with fresh water to continue to dilute the bleach. Hook the hose to a water connection at the campground to fill.
If possible, drive around for an hour so the water splashes around in the tank. But leave the water in the tank for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Do not drain the water yet if you're planning on cleaning the rest of the system. Start by turning the RV's water pump on to begin circulating the chlorine water. Go inside and open the water faucets one at a time until you smell chlorine. Let the hot and cold water run for a couple of minutes on all faucets including the shower.
Then let the system circulate with the water pump for a few hours to clean out the lines, tank, and water heater.
3) Drain, Refill and Flush
Pull the fresh water tank’s plug and open the hot & cold water lines below the RV to let all the water out. Be courteous of people around you but because the water is diluted you can empty it into nearby grass.
Refill your tank with fresh water and let it run through each tap for a few minutes each. If the chlorine smell is strong you can mix a half cup of baking soda into your fresh water system and let it circulate. You may need to flush the system a couple times before the water is safe and no longer tastes or smells of chlorine.
Questions? Give us a call at (204)237-7272 or Visit us at 1330 Dugald Rd, Winnipeg MB!