sanitize water tans

Cobra21 wrote:

Bordercollie wrote:
Do you have a cap on the side of your rig where you can insert a filler hose ? This is where I use a funnel and add a cup of bleach in a gallon of water to the empty tank, then fill the tank, run all the faucets to circulate the bleach water and let the system rest for an hour or two before draining the system and refilling the tank. It's best to open the low drains valves when draining the fresh water tank, then close them firmly. You may want to drain the system again and refill the tank if you smell bleach in water.

This is the preferred method to use if possible. It's sensible without all the complications!

Brian

That works if you have an opening for a filler hose, but many do not. I have to reverse the screen to depress the backflow button.

Bordercollie wrote:
Do you have a cap on the side of your rig where you can insert a filler hose ? This is where I use a funnel and add a cup of bleach in a gallon of water to the empty tank, then fill the tank, run all the faucets to circulate the bleach water and let the system rest for an hour or two before draining the system and refilling the tank. It's best to open the low drains valves when draining the fresh water tank, then close them firmly. You may want to drain the system again and refill the tank if you smell bleach in water.

This is the preferred method to use if possible. It's sensible without all the complications!

Brian

There is a filter screen in the fresh water hose connection on my Seneca and this screen pushes on a backflow preventer when hooked to city water. To use the suction function for tank sanitation, flip the screened gasket to show the domed screen up and out and open the suction when using the water pump. Maybe the screen has been removed, but you can see the backflow valve if installed.

There are a few variants on how the water inlets are configured for RVs. If you have a single connection for both filling the tank and city water usage (and a fill valve), which I assume is the case, and a winterizing suction feed, you can indeed pump the sanitizing solution into the tank from a container by setting the valves for pumping antifreeze and opening the fill valve. (Leave the low point drains and faucet taps off for this, of course). Typically this will involve closing a valve between the pump inlet and the tank outlet, and opening one between the pump inlet and the connection for the winterize hose.

The winterize hose attachment is probably not the same connection as the main water inlet. Mine is inside a storage bay, while the city water connection is on the outside of the motorhome.

Pouring the bleach down the hose also works fine. Do remember to wear old clothes while sanitizing; don't ask me how I know that. :B

Do you have a cap on the side of your rig where you can insert a filler hose ? This is where I use a funnel and add a cup of bleach in a gallon of water to the empty tank, then fill the tank, run all the faucets to circulate the bleach water and let the system rest for an hour or two before draining the system and refilling the tank. It's best to open the low drains valves when draining the fresh water tank, then close them firmly. You may want to drain the system again and refill the tank if you smell bleach in water.

I've always used the bleach in the water hose as suggested. But first I put bleach in the hose making sure that the bleach permeates the entire length of the hose. Then I flush the hose under as much pressure as I can get from the tap. If your hose has been in use for some time you might be surprised how much algae can accumulate and adhere to the inner lining of the 'sanitary' hose. I would repeat till the water at least appears to be clear. Best to blow that bleach loosened algae out onto the ground rather than into your tank.

If you don't have a gravity fill for your fresh water tank, you can get the bleach in by pouring it into the fresh water hose then connecting to city water to push it into the tank.