How to Sanitize a Trailer's Water Tank
Keeping a trailer's freshwater tank clean and sanitized lengthens its lifespan and can reduce the need for repairs. Sanitizing a trailer's water tank is a simple, straightforward process that takes no more than two days to complete. There's no need for fancy tools or expensive chemicals. All you need is water and household bleach. Sanitize your trailer's water tank at least twice a year, or more often if it is used heavily.
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Instructions
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Add household bleach to 1 gallon of water. Use 1/4 cup for each 15 gallons of water. Turn off the water heater and wait for the water to cool.
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Fill the water tank almost to the top with fresh water, leaving room for the gallon of water with bleach in it, then add the chlorinated water.
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Open the sink faucets, one at a time, and let the water run through them. Turn the faucets off after two or three minutes.
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Re-fill the tank with fresh water and let it sit overnight.
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Drain the system. Open the sink faucets and let the water run through them for 2 or 3 minutes, then open the drain valve on the tank and completely empty it.
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Make sure all of the faucets are turned off and the drain valve is closed. Fill the tank with fresh water.
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Flush clean water through the system by opening the faucets and letting water run through them until the tank is empty again.
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Fill the tank and sample the water. If the chlorine taste or smell is too strong, continue flushing clean water through the system until the taste or smell has dissipated.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't have time to let the tank sit overnight, make sure you wait at least three hours before you proceed to the next steps. Check at pool and spa stores for chlorinating concentrate if you don't want to use household bleach.
Don't pour undiluted bleach into the fresh water tank. Use the water pump in your trailer to sanitize the tank, rather than an external water supply. Don't mix bleach with other cleaners or chemicals.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit PlastixUSA, RV Travel
