Forum Discussion

rowekmr's avatar
rowekmr
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016

Water System Preparation for Storage

What can I do to keep my water system clean and fresh? I do drain it at the end of the year. Normally I use it several times during the season with no issues but last week I took it out after it sat since May when it was de winterized and the hot water smelled horrible. I let it run for awhile thinking it would clear out and only increase the smell in the camper. I was hooked up to city water hose so I shut it off, disconnected it and drained some water out of the hose then added about 6 oz of water that had about 2 oz of bleach in it. I then turned it back on then ran it through the system. The bad smell went away but had the bleach smell for awhile but we don't drink from the tap. I don't know if bleach has a detrimental effect on the seals and valve so am asking what are some ways to keep the lines and hot water tank clean?
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2016
    nickthehunter wrote:
    You need to use vinegar and flush your hot water heater to get rid of the current problem: clicky form atwood

    Then drain your hot water heater in between uses so it doesn't re-occur.


    Thanks for that. I forgot to drain mine after a June trip to Hershey. I put fresh water in it over the weekend and the hot water came out brown and smelly.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2016
    rowekmr wrote:
    How do you sanitize?


    type that phrase into your search bar for instructions .

    When u drain the water heater , some water remains in the bottom. Use a "Camco RV Water Heater Tank Rinser" $7 at Walmart, (which screws into the end of a water hose) by inserting it through the drain port located near the bottom of the water heater to force out the remaining stale water by mixing and flushing fresh water into the bottom of the tank.
    Let it run for a few minutes to flush it .
  • nickthehunter's avatar
    nickthehunter
    Nomad II
    Aug 29, 2016
    You need to use vinegar and flush your hot water heater to get rid of the current problem: clicky form atwood

    Then drain your hot water heater in between uses so it doesn't re-occur.
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Aug 29, 2016
    I sanitize the water system in the spring - also wash out the hot water tank. I don't do anything special in the winter other than remove all the water and blow the lines clear.
  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Aug 29, 2016
    Were you using water from your tank or were you hooked up to water at the campground? If the water was from the campground hook up or if you filled the tank from a different source than normal, than the smell could be from the water. If the water has a lot of sulphur in it, which can easily happen with well water, the hot water will stink. When that happens, just drain all the water out when you leave or get home and then flush with water from a good source.

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