Forum Discussion

Bemota's avatar
Bemota
Explorer
Aug 10, 2015

water taste

We purchased a FW a couple mos. ago. This is our first FW (had slide-in), anyway on walk-thru the tech showed how everything worked, everything worked. When we got home I noticed there was some pink stuff (anti-freeze) in the little drain pipes sticking out the bottom of FW. I drained every thing out, and ran fresh water thru every thing. Now I still have a taste of anti-freeze in the water, will bleach take this out, and how much per gal. I think it also got "cooked" in the water heater, cause the water heater was running on walk-thru. I drained the water heater with no help, still taste. What's next ???
Thanks in advance for any help!!
Dan
  • DOTLDaddy's avatar
    DOTLDaddy
    Nomad
    Aug 10, 2015
    Are you saying that when you drained the water heater, it was full of pink anti-freeze? If so, whom ever winterized the FW was an idiot. :S

    As far as the taste, I would just do the fill and drain method, repeat as necessary.
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2015
    Were those "little drain pipes" for just your black and grey tanks? If so, no big deal. It's possible/probable your camper was winterized using a bypass for the water heater.

    To sanitize the fresh water tank:

    A quarter cup (1/4c) of bleach per each 15 gallons of water.

    For better results, mix the bleach into water before putting it into the fresh tank instead of adding water and and dumping in bleach. (Others will disagree, of course.)

    Let it sit awhile. Drain. Rinse (use baking soda in the rinse if you want). Repeat as many times as needed.

    If you have a filtration system, remove the filter. Same for the fridge.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2015
    I would guess that the little drain pipes were the hot and cold water system drains. they are the low spot and would retain some pink stuff.
    does one have a red cap and one a blue one?
    bumpy
  • Bemota's avatar
    Bemota
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2015
    Thanks guys, the two small pipes drain the hot and cold water, tee-d where they go up into the bathroom/shower. My main concern is the anti-freeze that was heated in the water heater. The taste and smell really get strong in the hot water, would flushing the heater through the anode hole help, right now everything is draining again. DW thinks those water purifying tablets mite help. I came to the conclusion that tech is an idgiot !!!
    Dan
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 10, 2015
    Reason #2 why I switched to the dry method for winterizing.

    Do a full sanitize, Bleach (1/4 cup to 15 gallons) fill tank run pump flush through lines till you smell bleach, do not forget showers and toilet and do not forget low point drains

    Drain

    Optional fill with fresh and flush till bleach goes away. Drain

    Refill with fresh water and some baking soda, My tank is 70 gallons I use around 1/4 to 1/2 pound.

    Flush and drain

    Optional refill with fresh flush and drain

    Refill with fresh and taste.

    Come winter Use dry method described in forum library.
  • zach477's avatar
    zach477
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2015
    Bemota wrote:
    would flushing the heater through the anode hole help,


    Probably. Also not a bad idea to do it anyway. Maybe even change the anode while you have it out.

    Sanitize with with bleach like others have said, the use baking soda to get rid of the taste. If that doesn't work, pour a bunch of kool-aid powder in the tank. ;)
  • GMandJM's avatar
    GMandJM
    Explorer
    Aug 11, 2015
    zach477 wrote:
    Sanitize with with bleach like others have said, the use baking soda to get rid of the taste. If that doesn't work, pour a bunch of kool-aid powder in the tank. ;)


    Too funny!

About RV Newbies

4,026 PostsLatest Activity: Jun 15, 2017