Community Forums

bionicman · 11-14-2020, 06:28 AM

I just finished winterizing my allegro open road motor home. As in the past, the filter connected to the water pump was clogged with black gooey stuff. Because of the corona virus I only used it twice this year, yet the filter was clogged. I emptied out the fresh water tank and still this is a recurring problem. What is it and how can I stop this from happening?

chunker · 11-14-2020, 07:22 AM

Are you talking about the sediment screen on the pump or a separate filter on the water inlet such as a replaceable cartridge? Without knowing which I would suspect your water source as being the issue. Have you sanitized properly your plumbing in the RV? If it's also a house water source, what to the faucet screens look like? Do you have "growth" around the house sinks?

EDIT; How old it the coach and adding a signature line will help responders to your posts?

Persistent · 11-14-2020, 08:04 AM

Whereever there is water, something will grow. In the dark, mold, bacteria, achea grow. In the light algae also grows.

I once had to clean a sterile tubing system carrying sterile double distilled water to remove mold growth.

As suggested above, follow recommended guide lines for sterilizing your water system at least twice per year. Do it more often if filling from a non-chlorinated water source.

It has little to do with how often you use it.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

dwkerch · 11-14-2020, 08:49 AM

Black gooey stuff - algae, quite possibly collected inside and on the top of your fresh water tank. As stated, do a thorough job of cleaning and sterilizing your fresh water tank by filling it with a strong water/bleach solution until it overflows through the overflow tube, then drive it around a bit to slosh the water/bleach solution all around in the tank, especially on the inside top. Let it set for several hours, even overnight won't hurt, then drain and rinse the tank.

glwinger · 11-14-2020, 03:52 PM

I think a lot of this has to do with water in the tank and not using that water. I drain and sanitize my system before putting it away for the winter.
I also winterize it with anti-freeze after I clean it.
In the spring I flush the anti-freeze, fill and drain the tank again and sanitize it again. You never get all the water out of the tank. If it's not used for a while, that's when the mold and algae grow. If we know we are going to use the water in the tank, sanitize it again before filling. It takes less than a half hour to do it each time.

keymastr · 11-14-2020, 07:07 PM

Fill the tank with water and 1/4 cup bleach for each 15 gallons of capacity. 30gallon fresh tank, add 1/2 cup of bleach. Be sure to use non-scented bleach.

hohenwald48 · 11-16-2020, 04:11 AM

On my Newmar (and most other brands) the filter is on the water inlet before the fresh water tank. Nothing in the tank will impact the filter.

It's likely a lack of use issue due to a stagnate water system. If you're not going to use the system for a while it's best to get it as dry as possible and add a little chlorine to inhibit growth.

If your last fill was untreated well water the problem can be a little more pronounced.

Sterilizing the tank will be of no value if your filter is on the water inlet like most are.

txcpl · 11-16-2020, 06:02 AM

What you have described is a significant mold growth within your water system, most likely including the waterlines and tank. The only way I know of to get rid of this issue is to sanitize the entire system.
You need to clean out as much of the goop as possible, and throw away the current water filter. Fill the fresh water tank about 3/4 full with fresh water. Add 1/4 cup bleach to the tank for each 15 gallons of water holding capacity. Drive the RV around for a while so the sloshing of the tank with the bleach water gets all surfaces of the tank wet. Then open each faucet individually until you notice the bleach water smell at that faucet. Don't forget the toilet and the outside shower if equipped. Let it stand for at least 3 hours to kill the mold. Then drain the water tank and fill/rinse with fresh water at least twice. Then flush the bleach water solution out of the waterlines through each faucet. Fill with fresh water, and you are good to go.

chunker · 11-17-2020, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txcpl

What you have described is a significant mold growth within your water system, most likely including the waterlines and tank. The only way I know of to get rid of this issue is to sanitize the entire system.
You need to clean out as much of the goop as possible, and throw away the current water filter. Fill the fresh water tank about 3/4 full with fresh water. Add 1/4 cup bleach to the tank for each 15 gallons of water holding capacity. Drive the RV around for a while so the sloshing of the tank with the bleach water gets all surfaces of the tank wet. Then open each faucet individually until you notice the bleach water smell at that faucet. Don't forget the toilet and the outside shower if equipped. Let it stand for at least 3 hours to kill the mold. Then drain the water tank and fill/rinse with fresh water at least twice. Then flush the bleach water solution out of the waterlines through each faucet. Fill with fresh water, and you are good to go.

Given the apparent severity of the mold and algae growth in the water system, I would double the chlorine level and let sit over night, then do the drain and flush. A neglected system, or bad water supply system, might need more frequent treating and certainly monitoring. I have had filters develop a sulfur smell but replacing them fixed that but never any slime in my system and I have a well at my home. Well has a little hardness but no iron, sulfur or scum.