How to Install an RV Freshwater System

Fresh water is an absolute must when traveling in an RV. It's important that you know how to clean the existing system through routine maintenance and keep freshwater flowing through your RV's pipes. You also can install additional filters to your RV freshwater system.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 5/8-inch drinking water safe hose (white)
• Dish soap
• Bleach

1. Purchase a drinking water safe hose. When you are not using it, connect the ends together to keep foreign objects out of the hose.

2. Clean the freshwater system of your RV. Drain all the pipes and the hot water heater. Remove any filters. Mix 4 teaspoons of liquid soap for every 10 gallons of fresh water. Run all the taps to get the soap out. Fill system with water and drain again.

3. Sanitize the freshwater system with chlorine bleach. Put enough water into the freshwater tank to fill it halfway. Add 6 ounces of bleach for every 10 gallons of water. Finish filling the tank with fresh water. Let it sit for at least 1 hour. Open all the taps and drain the chlorinated water.

4. Decide if you want to chlorinate all the freshwater in your RV's system or just the drinking water. If the entire freshwater system is clean, you don't have to worry about skin irritants you might get from taking a shower with unsanitized water.

5. Consider chlorinating all the water. Install filters to the faucets you use to draw your drinking water. It is a cost-effective method of filtering freshwater.

6. Buy a freshwater filtration system that filters the water before it enters your RV. These systems mount inside the RV's service compartment, or they can sit on the ground outside the RV.

7. Install the freshwater filtration system. Hook the drinking water safe hose to the water source and the filter assembly. Purge any air from the system. Let water flow through the hose and filters for 2 or 3 minutes. Attach the hose that comes with the filtration system to the RV's inlet valve. This system completely bypasses the RV's freshwater tank.