FLUSH AND SANITIZE YOUR WATER LINES
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FLUSH AND SANITIZE YOUR WATER LINES
Pink RV antifreeze is non-toxic , but you still don ’ t want to drink it ! Before you travel , flush your water lines to clear out all of the antifreeze before using them . If you put antifreeze directly into your fresh water tank , drain that tank fully before filling it with potable water .
Then , flush the antifreeze from your system using these steps :
1 . Fill your fresh water tank with potable water and turn on the water pump , or connect to a city water supply . If you ’ re using the water pump , wait a couple of minutes for the system to pressurize .
2 . Open all cold water faucets , one by one . Don ’ t forget all sinks , the toilet , and your indoor and outdoor showers . 3 . Run the water until it ’ s clear 4 . Take the water heater out of bypass mode . Usually , this involves turning a couple of valves ; your owner ’ s manual will show the correct configuration . 5 . Allow the water heater to fill with fresh water for a few minutes . 6 . Open all hot water faucets , one by one . Again , include all sinks and indoor and outdoor showers . 7 . Replace any water filters that were removed for storage . 8 . Dump your gray and black holding tanks at an appropriate dump station .
Spring is also the perfect time to sanitize your fresh water system and remove any bacteria or mold that may have grown in your tank or water lines during storage .
Follow these steps to sanitize your fresh water tank and lines : 1 . Close all fresh water and low point drains . 2 . In a large water jug , create a chlorine mixture using ¼ cup of household bleach for every 15 gallons of fresh water capacity in your tank , plus a gallon or two of water .
3 . Add the chlorine mixture to your fresh water tank using a funnel . Then , fill the rest of the tank with potable water .
4 . Turn on the water pump and run water through all hot and cold water lines . Take special care to fill any lines used for drinking water . Run the water until you smell bleach , then turn off your faucets .
5 . Let the solution sit for between 4 and 12 hours . Make sure not to leave the solution in any of your tanks or lines for longer than 24 hours . 6 . Drain all water from the fresh water system at an appropriate disposal site . 7 . Fill the fresh water tank with clean potable water . 8 . Run water through your lines until the bleach smell dissipates .
While you ’ re using your water pump to flush and sanitize your water lines , listen for evidence of leaks . When you turn your water pump on , it ’ s normal to hear the pump run for several seconds while it pressurizes the system . But once the system reaches full pressure , the pump should shut off . If you hear the pump turn back on while all the faucets are closed , or if it fails to shut off , you have a leak somewhere in your plumbing system .
While a leak is never fun to find , it ’ s much nicer to know before you take your first trip of the season !
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