Fresh Water Tank Sanitization

[Back Home In Texas]

I am trying to add a cleaning solution (bleach and water) to my fresh waster tank. I thought I could utilize the water system that is used when winterizing my 2021 Forest River FR3 30DS.

I bypassed the hot water tank and then place uptake hose in a bucket of sanitization solution.

No matter which way i turned the valve to the pump, the pump only suctioned the solution was when we opened a faucet.

Am I incorrect in thinking that the sanitization solution should flow into the freshwater tank?

I am attaching photos.

Thank you

[Mike8253]

When you winterize, utilizing the water pump to suction antifreeze from a bottle/container, that solution goes directly to the faucets/shower/toilet (you bypass the water heater) and then to your gray/black tanks. It doesn't go (and should not go) to the fresh water tank. That's because the water pump is downstream of, and draws water from, the fresh water tank for distribution throughout the RV. Therefore, winterizing solution entry is downstream of the tank.

When you sanitize, you do introduce the sanitizing solution to your fresh water tank; however, not via the fresh water pump. If you have a gravity fill for your tank, you can introduce your sanitizing solution to your fresh water tank via that gravity fill. If no gravity fill, you can pour your sanitizing solution into your empty fresh water hose (or other appliance available on Amazon and elsewhere) and then attach it to your fresh water fill and fill your tank from a portable water source.

There should be instructions in your MH' s manual to guide you in this process. Hope this helps.

[Back Home In Texas]

Thank you for answering my question.

I am relatively new at this and was unsure.

I did try to introduce the sanitation solution via a section of garden hose connected to the rig with a 'coke' bottle on the other end as a funnel. It did work (i think) but I would have to believe that there is a better way.

[scrapperjohn]

Why bypass water heater?
Should sanitize it also.
Don't want stuff growing in there either.

[Back Home In Texas]

You are correct. I guess I was just thinking that I would fill the hot water heater after I sanitized the freshwater tank.

I will fill the water heater.

Thank you.

[Back Home In Texas]

maybe something like this????

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...6FORM%3DHDRSC4

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Back Home In Texas

You are correct. I guess I was just thinking that I would fill the hot water heater after I sanitized the freshwater tank.

I will fill the water heater.

Thank you.

You absolutely do NOT want to sanitize the hot water tank. EVERY single "how-to" video shows them bypassing and it's for a reason. You will do damage to your tank/heater.

As for getting water into your system, gravity fill is the easiest, if you have one. You can also let it set for a while in there, which will help disinfect the tank itself.

[Ray Lenning]

Well you got some good and bad info. The good info is to check your owners manual or look at the placards in your wet bay on how to sanitize the fresh water tank. The bad info is that the pump will not put the sanitizer in the fresh tank , mine does. I connect to the suction inlet drop the hose in my solution select tank fill and start the pump. After the solution is sucked into the fresh water tank I finish filling it the normal way. There is no gravity fill on my National Dolphin so the suction inlet and water pump is the only way to sanitize the fresh water tank. Again not all coach’s are the same.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by TimmyB

You absolutely do NOT want tosanitize the hot water tank. EVERY single "how-to" video shows them bypassing and it's for a reason. You will do damage to your tank/heater.

As for getting water into your system, gravity fill is the easiest, if you have one. You can also let it set for a while in there, which will help disinfect the tank itself.

1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons is the ratio of bleach solution to sanitize the RV plumbing system including the water heater
*If you have a 45 gallon fresh water tank...3/4 cup bleach

Not going to damage anything in the water heater tank
Atwood uses an Aluminum Tank & Suburban uses a Glass Lined Steel tank
**Suburban even has procedure in their manuals

If you have a Gravity Fill.......mix solution of required bleach in a gallon of water and pour it in via the gravity fill port

If you do not have gravity fill port....pour required amount of bleach in end of garden hose, connect it to city water inlet, change valve to FILL and turn on water

Once fresh water tank is filled turn on pump and fill water heater, open faucets hot/cold sides until you smell bleach, showers too \, low point drains etc
Let set over night (or at least 4 hours) then drain fresh water tank, open low point drains.....fill/flush tank/system until no bleach smell remains

[TimmyB]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons is the ratio of bleach solution to sanitize the RV plumbing system including the water heater
*If you have a 45 gallon fresh water tank...3/4 cup bleach

Not going to damage anything in the water heater tank
Atwood uses an Aluminum Tank & Suburban uses a Glass Lined Steel tank
**Suburban even has procedure in their manuals

If you have a Gravity Fill.......mix solution of required bleach in a gallon of water and pour it in via the gravity fill port

If you do not have gravity fill port....pour required amount of bleach in end of garden hose, connect it to city water inlet, change valve to FILL and turn on water

Once fresh water tank is filled turn on pump and fill water heater, open faucets hot/cold sides until you smell bleach, showers too \, low point drains etc
Let set over night (or at least 4 hours) then drain fresh water tank, open low point drains.....fill/flush tank/system until no bleach smell remains

As always, I will defer to your wisdom regarding such things. The aluminum tank was one of the things that several of the sites said would be damaged by the bleach. Why is that?

[Winemaker2]

Don't confuse sanitizing with winterizing...
Sanitizing you want to include tank, al, plumbing / fixtures and the water heater... if not which of those would you want to NOT be sanitized when you are using thevwayer system for human consumption?
Winterizing is a whole different story... you need b to drain tank & water heater but Not fill those w antifreeze.
You can use the intake and bypass valves for both but you need to be aware of correct settings for each case

Sent from my SM-T878U using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[Domo]

Yes, sanitize your entire system, including your hot water heater. Just make sure the hot water heater is turned off AND COOL and be sure to flush your entire system well before you turn the water heater back on.

Aluminum and chlorine do not react rapidly at ambient temperature - however, if the tank is heated the reaction quickly become vigorous.

-->> reference <<--

Domestic water has chlorine in it - we fill out fresh water tank from a domestic source and that chlorinated water goes into you water heater all the time - granted it is at a lower concentration than when you are sanitizing, but it is a constant exposure versus shorter term sanitizing.

[oldenavy]

Many newer RVs don’t provide a way to get sanitizer solution into the tank. When I had that type, I purchased a small transfer pump from harbor freight. Mix solution in a 5 gal bucket, put portable pump suction into bucket and connect pump outlet to city water connection. Put rv valves in tank fill position and pump solution into tank. Finish filling with water and you’re good to go. I prefer this method over the “fill the hose with bleach” method as I know exactly how much sanitizer I’m putting in the tank.

Last two RVs have had gravity fill on tank, so I haven’t had to do that in a few years.

[eddndee]

I don’t know why people use Chlorine Bleach to sanitize their water. Purogene is what the industry uses, it is easier to use and leaves a pleasant taste.