Adding Bleach Solution to Fresh Water Tank

[shyboy]

Newbie owner of Georgetown 2011 MH. Basic question. How do you add to fresh water tank? The only access I know of is via the fresh water hose inlet where water is entered under pressure. Is gravity flow an option? Thanks.

[fonzie]

Put bleach in garden hose then connect to trailer and fill fresh water tank.

[Oakman]

Welcome to the forums shyboy.

My Silverback fifth wheel is the same way, the fresh water holding tank is accessed through the city water connection. I pour the bleach into my fresh water hose and then hook up the hose to the spigot.

[camper1999]

Originally Posted by Oakman

Welcome to the forums shyboy.

My Silverback fifth wheel is the same way, the fresh water holding tank is accessed through the city water connection. I pour the bleach into my fresh water hose and then hook up the hose to the spigot.

X2


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[Jim Sullivan]

ShyBoy,
You can introduce the bleach solution to your water system the same way it is winterized. Look for your water pump. There may be a valve and hose attached. If you put the hose in a container of diluted bleach and flip the valve so that it draws from the hose you'll be all set. Proceed to each faucet and run water through until you smell the bleach solution. Don't leave the bleach solution in your water heater for very long. This does not address the tank, just the plumbing system.

[petey]

Originally Posted by Jim Sullivan

ShyBoy,
You can introduce the bleach solution to your water system the same way it is winterized. Look for your water pump. There may be a valve and hose attached. If you put the hose in a container of diluted bleach and flip the valve so that it draws from the hose you'll be all set. Proceed to each faucet and run water through until you smell the bleach solution. Don't leave the bleach solution in your water heater for very long. This does not address the tank, just the plumbing system.

howdy all: the way I do this on my motor home is to unscrew vent line on water tank pour it in, this is the way I fill my tank when we are dry camping with a small pump, its just easier. Pete

[alparmer]

Originally Posted by Jim Sullivan

ShyBoy,
You can introduce the bleach solution to your water system the same way it is winterized. Look for your water pump. There may be a valve and hose attached. If you put the hose in a container of diluted bleach and flip the valve so that it draws from the hose you'll be all set. Proceed to each faucet and run water through until you smell the bleach solution. Don't leave the bleach solution in your water heater for very long. This does not address the tank, just the plumbing system.

He wants to add bleach to the water tank...not the lines.

[alparmer]

We've never added bleach to the fresh water tank. We've used the camco stuff. What is the water to bleach ratio per gallon?

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by alparmmer

We've never added bleach to the fresh water tank. We've used the camco stuff. What is the water to bleach ratio per gallon?

1/4 cup per 15 gallons.

[alparmer]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

1/4 cup per 15 gallons.

Wow, that seems like a lot, but at least it will keep everything bleachy white.

[bend302]

That does seem like a lot but I use the same amount. About 1/2 cup per 1/2 tank which is about 30 gallons. However, we don't drink that water. Always drink bottled water away from home. Not my idea but I'm not complaining.

Can't say I smell chlorine though...

Bill

[alparmer]

I think we'll try it. Our drinking water comes from the fridge and it's double filtered. Once from the main coach's filter and then again through the fridge's filter. All too redundant since we also drink bottled water.

[Ford Idaho]

There are 16 cups per US. gallon.
1/4 cup is not a lot...

[shyboy]

Thanks a bunch.

[Newellri]

City water is 1% chlorine.

[alparmer]

Originally Posted by Newellri

City water is 1% chlorine.

I know, that's why I was concerned with adding even more to it. I thought the 1/4 cup per 15 gallons was to sanitize the tank and lines.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by fonzie

Put bleach in garden hose then connect to trailer and fill fresh water tank.

This is my technique too.

The only modification to my instructions for your camper is to use a plastic shutoff valve like:

Plastic Hose Shut-off 3/4in by Mintcraft - Essential Hardware

Normally I buy the brass fittings, but for this purpose plastic is better.

************************************************
OLD CLOTHES A MUST! Any bleach spilled/splashed will burn holes or stain.

Turn off the water and have a fitting with an on/off valve handy.
Camco 40003 Water Tank Filler w/Valve works great for me.

Pour 3/4 cup of bleach into the hose and secure the filler and make sure it is OFF. The manual recommends a bleach solution of 1/4 cup to 15 gallons of water (3/4 cup total for 40 gal tank).

Open bib to pressurize the hose.

Insert plastic filler tube into gravity fill port and fill tank.

Open EACH faucet until you can smell the bleach; then shut it.

Flush toilet until you get bleach smell.

Let stand 24 hours; drain using low point drains and fresh water tank drain and rinse once with fresh chlorinated household drinking water.

If you don't like the chlorine smell, you can dissolve baking SODA (not powder) in water and pour into the hose using the same procedure as the bleach. DO NOT let undissolved soda get into the hose.

[bend302]

Originally Posted by Newellri

City water is 1% chlorine.

Yes, but remember that bleach is between 6 and 9% chlorine and the amount suggested by the Washington State DOH to make water safe Is only 1 tablespoon of bleach for 5 gallons of water. So, 1/4 to 3/4 cup still seems more than I would want to consume. I agree that you should drain and refill after sanitizing...

Bill

[Herk7769]

There is a product called "water fresh" that is used to chlorinate POTABLE (drinkable) but not chlorinated water.

This will not sanitize your tank and plumbing; just make sure your water tastes "fresh" even after sitting in your tank for a while. Like water that sits in your home and street plumbing for a while.

[TURBS]

We like to use "taste pur" for normal in season maintenance along with the 1/4 cup to 15 gallon start of the year sanitizing.

TURBS

golf cart safety instructor.