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08-07-2011, 04:22 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 235
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Hot Water Bugs!
Been a few months since our last trip, so did a fresh water system drain, chlorine add, refill and set. I'm still new at the RV world, six months, and amazed at how quickly we got bacteria growth in the hot water system (rotten egg smell - hydrogen sulfide). Granted we have not used the hot water lines much since I chlorinated after we purchsed the beasty, but truly amazed at the bug growth! On last flush/drain cycle now and getting a good chlorine residual finally.
So....what is the stupid thing I'm doing that allows the bugs to grow?? Is it just as simple as use the water heater once in a while and flush some water through it? Are there any odd water heater problems that promote bacteria growth?
Off to the Grand Canyon CG next week for a few days. Last trip up there the big concern was the elk cruising through, don't want to worry about bad water this time!
Thanks and hope all are having fun!
Greg, Karen and the Kids (Lab, Retriever)
1997 gulfstream
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08-07-2011, 04:27 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Johnstown, PA USA
Posts: 3,326
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When we are done camping , I open the winter valves and drain the water heater and let the drain open for air to circulate. I also run some bleach water through it every time I sanitize the fresh water tank...
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John, Deb; & our dog, Benji, Forever in our hearts.
2014 Coachmen Leprechaun 319DS V-10
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet & 2014 Jeep Wrangler
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08-07-2011, 06:15 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,172
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you don't say how old your rig is but you can follow the atwood advice. Drain and flush the water heater using a wand. You will probably have to remove the pressure/temperature valve to use the wand through that hole as it works better that way than trying to use just the drain plug hole. After a good thorough flush then replace plug, use 2 parts white distilled vinegar to one part water and fill the water heater through the p/t valve opening. Replace the p/t valve and cycle the water heater through 4 or 5 heat cycles. After it cools down, drain the water heater and flush again with the wand. That should do it but you can add a bleach mixture if you want and let it sit overnight. Flush again. You should be good to go afterwards.
My rig is 11 years old and I'm not sure the water heater was ever flushed properly before I got it. It took me 20 minutes to flush with a wand the first time. You wouldn't believe how much crud came out. I got a bit more crud after the vinegar soak. But after doing this, the odor is gone.
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Pete - Full Timing
2000 Country Coach Magna 40' Indulgence, CAT C10, #5892
2019 Ford Ranger XLT
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08-07-2011, 08:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bluff Dale, TX
Posts: 624
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Your water heater has an anode rod inside it for corrosion protection of the tank. The rod corrodes first, saving the tank. When not in use for a while minerals in the water react with the anode rod and produce sulfur. The solution is to drain your water tank between uses.
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Most RV batteries live a long and useful life, some are murdered.
2000 National Sea Breeze F53
1998 CRV Toad
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08-07-2011, 08:31 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 627
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The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and react with the magnesium and aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. However, if you have an Atwood heater, it won't have an anode rod. In any case, you'll have to flush the tank more frequently as advised by others. Best of luck.
Jack
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2004 Winnebago Brave 34D with the usual add-ons
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08-08-2011, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Peoria, AZ
Posts: 235
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Seven months into the RV world with our first RV (old but new to us '21 1997 gulfstream) and every time I think I have things figured out something new comes along. Of course not really new issues, but as I self teach (an ify prospect at best) it all seems new.
Drained and flushed out the hot water tank a few times, some bacteria (slime growth) present but little to no scale and the anode looked almost new. Another shock chlorination and good to go. The hot water tank is now on my "Things to Do on a Regular Basis" list, which is growing by the minute!!
Many thanks for the responses and help!
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08-08-2011, 07:28 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
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You aren't doing anything stupid - you just got some water that has the bacteria in it and they were waiting for a nice warm dark place to start growing. Sanitize well and don't worry about it. Chances are it won't happen again, unless you return regularly to a place that has water quality problems.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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08-09-2011, 04:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 3,786
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I had a cover built for my MH at my sisters place, and she runs well water, not city tap water. Because of that water not having chlorine in it, I do not use it to fill storage tank for fresh water. But as stated here, I do drain the water heater tank between uses.................ronspradley
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'95 Monaco Windsor DP 32' Cummins 5.9
Toads '96 Tracker 4x4, '06 Honda CRV AWD
Life's too short to drink diet soda.
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08-09-2011, 04:58 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,365
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
You aren't doing anything stupid - you just got some water that has the bacteria in it and they were waiting for a nice warm dark place to start growing. Sanitize well and don't worry about it. Chances are it won't happen again, unless you return regularly to a place that has water quality problems.
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Exactly as Gary stated. We have well water and every once in a great while we get a Total Chloriform Bloom if our chlorine residual gets low. No big deal but the hot water tanks get a smell.
Mark
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2021 Trail Runner 211rd 25'
2015 GMC Canyon
Mark & Carole Big Bear, Ca. RVM 54
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08-09-2011, 06:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Walnut Creek Ca USA
Posts: 837
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I use the vodka method. Empty fresh tank, fill with a gallon of water, pour in a handle of cheap vodka, run water until you taste vodka both hot and cold. Drink to your hearts delight. Works for me! I hate the taste of chlorine in the morning.
-Paul R. Haller-
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