Community Forums

gklehner · 04-07-2011, 02:52 PM

Bought our first new (old) '97 Gulfstream, 21'. Replacing the gravity/fresh water inlet set up due to leaks. My next concern is the water lines inside. It's all clear plastic semi-ridged with banded joints. Does anyone have any idea how long I can reasonable go before replacing the pressure lines? So far, no leaks. Just have no idea how long the lines last before they start to fail. Really hoping forever and don't like the idea of snaking new lines!! A bit afraid of waiting for the first line blow out to give me the answer.

Any advice/opinions will be greatly appeciated.

Greg, Karen and the kids (Atticus and Clemintine, Lab and Golden).

thelastplace · 04-07-2011, 03:42 PM

I've never had an RV long enough to find out. I traded my '97 Adventurer in '08 and it was still water tight under the sinks.

But the true travelers are they who leave for leaving’s sake
Saying continuously, without knowing why: ‘Let us go on’.
Paraphrased from Baudelaire’s ‘The Journey’

gklehner · 04-09-2011, 02:12 PM

Seems not too many issues on water line breaks. Did some research on the PEX plumbing, it appears that both the lines and connections should last as long as a properly installed home water system (whether copper or PEX). No re-piping for me!

Bjsrv · 04-11-2011, 06:33 AM

I think you can expect a properly installed system to last many years as long as it is properly maintained and not allowed to freeze.

wa8yxm · 04-11-2011, 06:40 AM

You can expect them to last till the first time you encounter a hard freeze with water in the lines.. and then it is not the lines, but the connectors, that will crack and leak.

That is good strong pipe

scenic route · 04-21-2011, 06:32 PM

I've never been a fan of 'clear' potable water lines. Light only promotes mold/algae inside the lines, especially if the system sits stagnate for a long period. The first thing I'd do is to sanitize your tank and lines, along with the water heater and ice maker if equipped. I'd do this twice a year with the clear hoses. We use a pre-tank filter and one under the sink for cooking/drinking as well. Bob

Here's a pretty good how to site.

gklehner · 04-23-2011, 04:22 PM

I keep reading that 1/4 cup per 15 gallons is the accepted standard for cleaning/sanitizing the system. That seems to be a gross chlorination. About 2 oz. of 4% bleach should give around a 50 ppm dose per 15 gallons which is sufficient to kill random bacteria/algae unless there is bacteria/algae growth within the water system. In that case, only drain, dry out, flush, chlorination then repeat will work.
Personally, if I am concerned of any problems, I prefer to use 2 oz. of 4% (check chlorine content, it varies significantly), run through all the water outlets, let set for 24 hours, then run the outlets (faucets) for a minute, then take a sample with a pool chlorine test kit. If the test shows any "free chlorine", greater than 0.5 ppm (take the reading within 10 seconds or you will read free and combined residual), you are in good shape.
For system maintenance, I like to add about 1 oz. of a 4% bleach per 15 gallons every 4 months, run all the facets for a minute, let set for 24 hours, drain through the facets/low point drains/outlets then refill the tank. That of course is if I'm using the system on a fairly regular basis (having to refill the fresh water tank every week).
So, there is my 2 cents on clean water!