Good Sam Club Open Roads Forum: sanitizing the fresh water tank and lines
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 > sanitizing the fresh water tank and lines

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anon125

anywhere

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Posted: 11/01/09 09:01pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hello:
Has anyone had any problems using a diluted bleach solution to sanitize the fresh water tank and the lines?
I normally use water and vinegar and then baking soda, but I'm thinking about using bleach instead.
Thanks for your help
Mary

skipnchar

Topeka Kansas USA

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Posted: 11/01/09 09:26pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Bleach is the preferred method of sanitizing. Just leave it in contact with surfaces for a few hours before draining and flushing.


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firecapt1

Sonoma County, CA

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Posted: 11/01/09 09:34pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Vinegar and baking soda won't do the job! You need to sanitize your system to eliminate bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew. Common household bleach is the best answer for this.

See here for guidelines on doing this:

Sanitizing your water system


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RJsfishin

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Posted: 11/02/09 06:09am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The shame of it all is,....if you keep it "full" whenever possible, you don't have to sanitize it,.....ever !


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Stim

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Posted: 11/02/09 06:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Keeping it full is not going to keep the system safe. IF your water supply is chlorinated it will loose it's effectiveness after a time.
In my case I live on two acres with a water well. If I left any water in my tank without some kind of treatment it will grow green algae.
Simple treatment is to drain system completely including hot water tank. Then fill about 1/4 full and add 1-2 cups bleach. Then drive MH to slosh water in tank and mix. Run ALL faucets, hot and cold and flush toilet. I let sit with solution in system for a day or two. Then drain completely including hot water tank. Then fill with fresh running faucets at first to remove last of clorine.

Ajones42

North Texas

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Posted: 11/02/09 08:18am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

RJsfishin wrote:

The shame of it all is,....if you keep it "full" whenever possible, you don't have to sanitize it,.....ever !


Not so! Ask me how I know! If you are cautious and fill with water from a city supply which has been treated, you may only have to sanitize a couple of times a year to be safe. The key is how fast you use your water. If it sits in your tank for any length of time unused, the chlorine will degrade rather quickly and lose its' effectiveness. This is even more critical during the hot summer months.

If I was filling with rural well water, I would sanitize much more often.


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sum1

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Posted: 11/02/09 11:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

My source of city water must be like yours RJ. It's clean tasting without excess clorine taste. I keep it very full and sanitize it every couple of years. This is in a MH that is not used often.

kphil24

indiana

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Posted: 11/03/09 08:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Sorry if this is a silly question, but do you pour the bleach solution through the outside water hook up? Mine has a screen, and a nipple that prevents the use of a funnel. I can get the screen out, but the nipple is in the way. Please advise.

Luke Porter

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Posted: 11/03/09 08:43am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If you are using a screew on hose inlet, pour the bleach into the hose.


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Deen

Vancouver, WA

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Posted: 11/03/09 11:22am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ajones42 wrote:

RJsfishin wrote:

The shame of it all is,....if you keep it "full" whenever possible, you don't have to sanitize it,.....ever !


Not so! Ask me how I know! If you are cautious and fill with water from a city supply which has been treated, you may only have to sanitize a couple of times a year to be safe. The key is how fast you use your water. If it sits in your tank for any length of time unused, the chlorine will degrade rather quickly and lose its' effectiveness. This is even more critical during the hot summer months.

If I was filling with rural well water, I would sanitize much more often.
Hmm...I sanitize every couple years and have never had any trouble.

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