An Overview of the Process
These checklist steps will help you sanitize your RV fresh water tank with bleach or another antibacterial product:
- You need to remove the hot water heater from the main supply and wait a few minutes before moving on.
- Open the pressure relief valve located outside of the compartment where your water heater is located.
- Empty your water lines. Water lines in your RV can become clogged with algae and contaminants, so you’ll need to make sure they’re empty first. Locate and open the low-point water drainage valves to accomplish this. If the freshwater tank itself has a drain, open it as well. There should be directions in your RV’s owner’s manual about where these valves are located.
- It’s time to mix your bleach solution once you have drained your water tanks and lines. In a bucket, mix 1/4 cup of bleach with a few gallons of water for every 15 gallons of fresh water your RV holds.
- The instructions for mixing an antibacterial product will tell you how to sanitize your tank if you choose to do so.
- Your freshwater tank should now be full of your solution. Pour it carefully into the tank. It might be easier to use a funnel and less likely to stain the area if you do so.
- Then, fill the tank almost to capacity with fresh water after pouring the bleach/antibacterial solution in.
- Make sure all sink faucets are fully filled with water by running them one at a time. Make sure you do not run the faucets for too long, so you empty your fresh water tank! Each faucet should emit a smell of bleach.
- After the bleach/antibacterial solution has been added to all the water lines, some RVers find it helpful to take a short drive. As a result, the system is further sanitized as the water is sloshed around.
- Make sure the solution sits overnight in the freshwater tank and your water lines.
- Let the solution sit in the freshwater tank overnight, then drain it and dispose of it properly.
- After filling up your tank with fresh water, flush your lines with fresh water by turning on each faucet one at a time. Continue this process until the tanks or faucets are no longer smelling of bleach.
