How to Sterilize RV Water Tanks

It's easy to forget that RV water tanks, like any body of standing water, do grow algae and serve as home to harmful bacteria that can grow and multiply over time. It is best to clean and flush your RV water tanks once a month or so, and fortunately it's a rather easy and inexpensive task. It will help if you know the capacity of your particular tanks, so either look up the information or call your local RV dealer and find out how many gallons of water your tanks hold when full. It is also important that you know where the drain plugs are on your system. Each RV will be different but look for a drain cock that is at the lowest point in your water supply--there should be a separate drain for cold water and hot water.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bleach Measuring cup Eye protection Pliers Area to drain water

1. Park your RV in a place where the water can be drained.

2. Add 1/4 cup of bleach to the main water tank for each 15 gallons of water that your tanks hold. Wear eye protection when pouring bleach. Once the bleach has been added, fill the tank full of water.

3. Run the hot and cold water faucets in the RV until you can smell the bleach coming out of them. Shut them off. Allow the water and bleach to sit in your system for at least 6 hours. If you wish, let it sit overnight.

4. Open the drain cocks outside of your RV. The location of the drain cocks will be different for different models of RV but expect to find them at the lowest point of your system's water lines. There will be two cocks, one for hot water and one for cold water. Most systems allow you to open the cocks by hand, but have a pair of pliers handy just in case your valves are stiff. The cocks should open by turning them clockwise approximately one half to one full turn. Open the hot and cold water faucets inside your RV to allow air into the lines. Allow the bleach water to drain out.

5. Open the drain cock at the bottom left corner of your hot water heater and then open the pressure relief valve at the top of the heater. Generally the pressure relief valve can be opened by simply lifting a lever (no tools required). Allow the water to drain out.

6. Turn on your system's water pump and allow it to run for 30 seconds or so. This will force out any remaining water. Do not allow the pump to run longer than 30 seconds or so as the system can overheat if there is no water in it.

7. Close all three valves and turn off the hot and cold water valves inside your RV and fill your system with water. Rinse the system out by opening all drains again. llow the water to drain out. Close all valves and refill your system. It will now be clean.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not worry about draining the bleach and water mixture into the sewer system--the bleach is not considered harmful to the environment in such small quantities. Do not breath the bleach fumes. Wash your hands if they come in contact with bleach.
• Do not splash bleach on clothing as it will ruin most fabrics if applied full strength. Wear eye protection when handling bleach.