Sanitizing the fresh water system?

[SantinoDad]

Best way to sanitize the fresh water system on my 2016 Minnie Winnie 22r?
The water intake valve on the outside of my rig seems to have a check valve that opens only when there is a hose hooked up under pressure to allow water flow?

Is there a canister of sorts that I can fill with vinegar or other "natural" cleaner and hook the hose up to it then into my water intake? Amazon?

What do I add to my fresh water tank (non toxic of course) and then the best way of flushing and draining?

Last time we camped my wife complained the water tasted kind of "stale"
I only drink beer and J.D. so I wouldn't know.

[DustyDriver]

Most rigs are equipped with a winterizing valve and hose. On our Jayco, it was in the plumbing bay; on our Fleetwood, it's at the inlet port for the water pump. Turn the divertor valve, and the pump will draw through the short length of hose or tubing instead of from the water tank. That's how you pump antifreeze into your plumbing system when winterizing, and it's how you can pump a mixture of bleach (say a quarter cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water) to sanitize the plumbing. Stick the tubing into your container of antifreeze or water and have the water pump "suck" it into the plumbing pipes. When winterizing, you'll want to bypass the water heater. With bleach, I suppose you could sanitize the water heater as well. You'll want to flush plenty of fresh water through your system after either procedure.

If you absolutely cannot find this setup for winterizing, then check to see if your fresh tank has a gravity fill. You would dilute your bleach in water once again - maybe in a pitcher or milk jug - and then pour it into this fresh tank via this opening. Top off the tank with water, let it sit for a while, cut on the pump, and open up each of your spigots and toilet valves one by one. Once you're satisfied the lines have been sanitized, empty the tank, fill it with clean water, and flush your system several times to remove the bleach.

DD

[scubadude62]

Just fill your fresh water hose with your sanitizing fluid, hook it up, and fill the rest of your fresh tank.



Run your pump, get the sanitizing fluid through all your faucets and ice maker, if you have one.


Turn the pump off, let the solution sit for a few hours.


Drain your fresh water tank, fill with normal water. Turn the water pump on, flush the fresh water through all your fixtures. Repeat if necessary until the odor of your sanitizing fluid is no longer present.


I use plain old bleach. I use 1.5 cups for my 100 gal tank. (1/4 cup per 15 gal)

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by scubadude62

Just fill your fresh water hose with your sanitizing fluid, hook it up, and fill the rest of your fresh tank.



Run your pump, get the sanitizing fluid through all your faucets and ice maker, if you have one.


Turn the pump off, let the solution sit for a few hours.


Drain your fresh water tank, fill with normal water. Turn the water pump on, flush the fresh water through all your fixtures. Repeat if necessary until the odor of your sanitizing fluid is no longer present.


I use plain old bleach. I use 1.5 cups for my 100 gal tank. (1/4 cup per 15 gal)

[SuperGewl]

Do NOT turn on the Water HEATER. Actually, you should By-Pass the water heater when possible.

[Rmedad]

Check your owners manual for proper procedure to sanitize. This is from the manual of the 2014 Journey we had but same for our 3017. I use the continuous sanitation method.