How to Clean the Water System of Your RV

Boy that was sure some fun trip to the dunes last month. All those weekend warrior toy haulers gathering at the rally. They sure brought in a crowd. You and your family really had a good time. Exhausted when you finally got home, you forgot one little thing. Cleaning out the refrigerator is top of your cleanup list, but you forgot to drain the fresh water tank.

Now the whole water system has a funky stale odor to it, and the coffee tastes terrible. When you leave water in your fresh water tank for an extended period of time or in hot weather, bacteria can grow. There’s more then just the smell to contend with, you could even get sick from the stale water.

Not to worry, in short order you can return your water system to a clean, safe, bacteria free condition. This will also take care of the foul odor, and return the good taste to your coffee. This is an easy fix that is also recommended as an annual maintenance item to start the new season off right.

First step is to open the drain for your fresh water tank, allowing it to empty. Some units also have drain spigots throughout the trailer to drain water lines as well. Open all faucets too, as it will break the air lock and allow water to drain back out of the lines.

Open the drain on your water heater as well. (Never attempt to drain a water heater that is in operation or contains HOT water) Once all the water is drained out, or at least as much water as possible, close all drains, reinstall all plugs, and close all faucets.

Take some standard household laundry bleach (liquid bleach), a quarter cup for every 15 gallons that your water tank holds. Mix it with a gallon of clean water and pour it into your fresh water tank. Then fill your freshwater tank to full with clean water.

When your tank is full, turn the water pump on. Open each faucet, letting it run until you smell bleach. Be sure to do this with both the hot and cold faucets. Don’t forget the shower and toilet as well. Once you feel confident you’ve run bleach infused water through all water lines, turn off the water pump. Let the water system sit for at least 12 hours.

The next morning go ahead and open all the drains and faucets again, and empty out the water system as much as possible. Don’t forget to drain that water heater again. When everything has drained close all drains. Close all faucets and put the plug back in the water heater.

Refill the system with fresh clean water. Again open faucets, and run them until you no longer smell bleach. Don’t be discouraged if you need to refill the tank and pump a second load of fresh water through the system.

Once the odor of bleach is gone, your all set with a clean, and sanitary water system that is clear of all harmful bacteria, odor, or foul taste.

This will also fix a similar situation caused by filling your water tank at a campground only to find it undrinkable. All you need is a small bottle of bleach to fix the problem. Then you can again enjoy your morning cup of coffee.