Forum Discussion

dcmac214's avatar
dcmac214
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015

? Too Much Bleach?

(Another unsuccessful search)
Looking at several related threads got me to wondering. When sanitizing the RV water system can you use too much bleach? What's too much and what does too much do to the system, if anything other than maybe needing more time & water to rinse?

14 Replies

  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    This is from memory so I can not document or source it but as I recall bleach can be harmful to the plastics used in the water system including but not limited to:
    The Tank
    The lines
    The water pump
    The fittings
    And valve seals

    In low doses (1/4 or even 1/2 cup per 15 gallons not much of a problem

    But in high doses (Straight out of the bottle) and allowed to sit in the lines.. Major issues.

    How to test.. You can easily get a few inches of PEX at your local RV place.. toss it in a glass glass or dish and cover with blach 100% strength. Come back in a day and see what it looks like.
  • Keep in mind that Hydrogen Peroxide will kill bleach on contact and is perfectly safe. So if you have a hard time getting rid of excessive bleach just put a couple of ounces in the tank and be done with it.
  • I suspect there is an answer BUT why would you even think about it?

    Even 20 to 30 times the recommended amount would not contaminate the system if you rinse.