Sterilization of fresh water tank

[aza]

I have a 2019 Entegra Anthem. Recently I learned that I should include a small amount of Clorox in my fresh water tank when filling. Can someone tell me how much I need to ad to a full tank of fresh water?

[brobox]

The ratio is 1/4 cup to 15 gallons of water, or 1.65 cups. When sanitizing I let it sit for a couple of hours after turning all of the faucets on, then flush the entire system. I add dissolved baking soda on the flush to sweeten the system. When add both I use the clear winterization hose coming off of the water pump.

[steve52]

Most of us sanitize the tank yearly. I have never added bleach to water that I intended to use.

I use a cup of bleach in my 40 gallon fresh tank. Fill it completely, pump the solution through the system, including the water heater. Let it sit overnight. Drain tank and plumbing, then fill the tank with fresh water and pump it through the plumbing.

[B-Man49]

Originally Posted by aza

I have a 2019 Entegra Anthem. Recently I learned that I should include a small amount of Clorox in my fresh water tank when filling. Can someone tell me how much I need to ad to a full tank of fresh water?

There is a section in your owners manual on sanitizing your water system. It covers the ratios of bleach and also bypassing of the aqua hot system. We are full timers and do ours every six months.

[brobox]

Originally Posted by B-Man49

There is a section in your owners manual on sanitizing your water system. It covers the ratios of bleach and also bypassing of the aqua hot system. We are full timers and do ours every six months.

Good reminder on bypassing the aqua hot and why I still use the owners manual as a check list.

[Tim Fox]

I’ve always had the owners manual close at hand when sterilizing the fresh water tank. It’s brief and if you follow it exactly, it’s simple.

[Dieselgem]

I do it twice a year, 1 cup of bleach to a tank of water and let it sit overnight. I drain it and then refill with clean water.

[Gary.Jones]

A variant -- Smell

Somewhere up in New England two years ago, we managed to take on some Sulphur water (I assume it was Sulphur water) and ever since, I have had a problem with water smell. This is worst for the first 30 seconds, lets say, when running water from any source (sink, toilet, shower). After about 30 seconds the smell goes away, but a day later it is back.

I have Chloroxed the tank twice, letting water sit in lines and tank now two times (also isolating the AquaHot) but the same problem persists....

Anyone found a sure fire way to get rid of this problem....? I think its pretty common for well water to have a sulphur smell in some areas with Sulphur water which is unavoidable some times, or you don't realize it until you have just filled your tank.

Any sure fire fixes?

Gary

[garysfb]

There was a thread about a year ago on the subject of sanitizing the fresh water system. This TSB from Aqua-Hot explains how much bleach to use and how long to leave it set to not harm the AH unit. It has worked well for me, we're part time about 5-6 months a year, and sanitize twice a year.

[amosnandy]

Originally Posted by steve52

Most of us sanitize the tank yearly. I have never added bleach to water that I intended to use.

I use a cup of bleach in my 40 gallon fresh tank. Fill it completely, pump the solution through the system, including the water heater. Let it sit overnight. Drain tank and plumbing, then fill the tank with fresh water and pump it through the plumbing.

You are correct. You should not use bleach on a regular basis. Chlorine is very hard on plastic. Sanitation once or twice a year is fine, but long term exposure will damage the pipes but particularly the valves.

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by amosnandy

You are correct. You should not use bleach on a regular basis. Chlorine is very hard on plastic. Sanitation once or twice a year is fine, but long term exposure will damage the pipes but particularly the valves.

Thats true for stronger concentrations used for santizing tanks (1/4 cup / 15 gals) but normal city water supplies are chlorinated at much lower levels. I have never seen a caution to avoid use of chlorinated city water in boats or motorhomes. Chlorinating using 1 tsp / 10 gal water is about right for chlorinating untreated (well) water.
Most RVs today are plumbed with PEX and thats what is being used these days for home construction.

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

A variant -- Smell

Somewhere up in New England two years ago, we managed to take on some Sulphur water (I assume it was Sulphur water) and ever since, I have had a problem with water smell. This is worst for the first 30 seconds, lets say, when running water from any source (sink, toilet, shower). After about 30 seconds the smell goes away, but a day later it is back.

I have Chloroxed the tank twice, letting water sit in lines and tank now two times (also isolating the AquaHot) but the same problem persists....

Anyone found a sure fire way to get rid of this problem....? I think its pretty common for well water to have a sulphur smell in some areas with Sulphur water which is unavoidable some times, or you don't realize it until you have just filled your tank.

Any sure fire fixes?

Gary

Are you using a carbon, 5 micron filter?

[Gary.Jones]

Bruce

Yes

Gary

[buddy110]

Originally Posted by Gary.Jones

Bruce

Yes

Gary

I would try vinegar and baking soda. Remove the filters run a solution through a couple times.

Do you smell it more in hot, cold or both?