Emptying Water Tanks (1 Viewer)

[The Old Man]

So after a weekend away I parked up the van today but before parking up I went to the dumping area.

So I dumped the remains of the fresh water tank, emptied the water heater tank and dumped the grey tank.

I have left the drain plug out of the fresh water tank but replaced and tightened down the top inspection lid.

The drain tap to the heater tank is also left open, as is the drain tap to the grey tank.

My thinking is that this allows some air to circulate in the tanks and this may be advantageous, but I'm thinking about rodent incursions through the open drain holes. They couldn't go far from the fresh water tank but the grey water tank must have pipes that lead to the shower and sink plug holes.

Am I over thinking this?

How do others leave their tanks?

 

[TheBig1]

personally i have always drained thoroughly then closed valves etc but vented by leaving sink taps turned on with pump switched off

 

[Red Dragon]

Hi I Leave all mine open after emptying then close including taps when filling,rodents don't swim very well

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[haganap]

Are you over thinking this?

Yes

 

[Anthea M]

Have read on here that a mouse did get in a tank and caused a terrible stink as it died. I hate the pesky things so shut all stops valves and holes!!

 

[funflair]

Empty waste tank and close valve, dont want and dribbles do we!, I dont drain the fresh water tank or water heater unless its going below freezing for a couple of days, I did check the date and its not an old pre winter thread so are there people who drain everything down even though they are going to need it again soon, I dont understand why you would vent the tank through the taps or anywhere for that matter.

Martin

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[jonandshell]

Get him!

Burn the grey waste dribbler!

 

[TheBig1]

Empty waste tank and close valve, dont want and dribbles do we!, I dont drain the fresh water tank or water heater unless its going below freezing for a couple of days, I did check the date and its not an old pre winter thread so are there people who drain everything down even though they are going to need it again soon, I dont understand why you would vent the tank through the taps or anywhere for that matter.

Martin

although it should not make any difference and all piped fresh water is supposed to be potable, the taste and quality of water varies from place to place. some is so highly flourinated that nothing could survive in it. however some supposed fresh water tastes foul and i dont want it tainting the tank and pipework. for the same reasons we use a 2 gallon insulated container to get fresh drinking water each day

if you think fresh water doesnt go stale, why do hospitals change all bedside jugs at a minimum of daily. also if you have dogs, they can taste the difference between fresh water and a bowl that has sat there 24 hours

also some water supply companies have problems with bugs like ecoli and strep c in their supplies amongst other nasty bugs harmful to your health

 

[funflair]

Granted if it tastes foul I would be tempted to get rid of it as well, water in a clear jug and in sunlight will certainly go green after a while as will a clear/opaque container outside a caravan but I believe in a black tank and in the dark in a MH floor it will last well.

Everyone to their own of course.

Martin

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[Dave K]

Empty waste tank and close valve, dont want and dribbles do we!, I dont drain the fresh water tank or water heater unless its going below freezing for a couple of days, I did check the date and its not an old pre winter thread so are there people who drain everything down even though they are going to need it again soon, I dont understand why you would vent the tank through the taps or anywhere for that matter.

Martin

I'm the same Martin, I drain the waste tank and that's it, I only ever boil the water anyway, never drink it straight from the tap

 

[sdc77]

Never empty the tank

 

[mitzimad]

best to keep tanks full very little will grow in a dark full tank

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[DanielFord]

We keep our fresh full, and grey empty, and at the end of the year I dump and clean them both. When we depart a site, I dump the grey and fill the fresh. That way we are always ready to go at a moments notice.

 

[Photo4x4]

A moosie getting into the tank has been mentioned but if the drain bung was left out and the vehicle is parked for a week or more perhaps a slug or a snail could slither in!

KH

 

[Allanm]

We keep ours full most of the time, it's topped up regularly and we use the onboard water for everything although I prefer my cold drinking water with a few hops and a bit of malt in it!

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[bubble63]

Two winters ago I had mice in my grey water drains, they damaged 3 of the 4 draining pipes within the motor home, nightmare to fix

Close all drains, I had left the grey drain open, l don't do that anymore !

 

[The Old Man]

A moosie getting into the tank has been mentioned but if the drain bung was left out and the vehicle is parked for a week or more perhaps a slug or a snail could slither in!

KH

I'm convinced

 

[Photo4x4]

Two winters ago I had mice in my grey water drains, they damaged 3 of the 4 draining pipes within the motor home, nightmare to fix

Close all drains, I had left the grey drain open, l don't do that anymore !

I never thought of that. I always left the fresh water tank bung in but the grey waste tap open. Not any more though...

KH

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[bubble63]

I never thought of that. I always left the fresh water tank bung in but the grey waste tap open. Not any more though...

KH

I've absolutely no idea how they did it! , l guess the food smell attracts them,

 

[rangi]

I drain our fresh water and grey waste before we leave a site and if heading homeward I leave the bungs and taps open (grey waste closed because at the first chance we buy 3 cheap 2 ltr Cokes and pour down the drain to give the grey waste tank a good swill)

Always blow down taps and shower hose and wipe out Fresh Tank after arriving home.

Reason I drain?- - - - weight!

 

[Garfields]

Always drain down fresh tank if van is not being used for more than a couple of days
Bio films can grow in the plastic piping
Its unlikely to you much harm but can taint the taste of water and difficult to get rid off

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[Deleted member 29692]

Never drain the fresh water tank. Always drink from it and still here.

Empty the grey tank before taking it back to storage but don't leave anything open.

 

[maison]

If laid up for a longish period, (unusual for us), we drain the fresh water tank. Also in winter to prevent freezing.

Outside winter we don't drain fresh water for short periods off road but always drain waste.

 

[955matt]

Waste water empty, fresh water full, weight makes very little difference to fuel economy, driving style and speed does.

Shut the waste water after emptying, never dribble

I'm with Jon, burn the dribblers

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[Bart]

Two winters ago I had mice in my grey water drains, they damaged 3 of the 4 draining pipes within the motor home, nightmare to fix

Close all drains, I had left the grey drain open, l don't do that anymore !

Wow , just wow

 

[Minxy]

We always drain our tanks after each trip - we drink the water from the fresh tank and use it to wash, brush teeth, prepare food etc so I wouldn't want to do that in stale water. The fresh water valve is always closed but we usually leave the waste water one open ... I'd like to see a mouse or another of mammal be able to 'reach' it ... but the thought of snails and slugs or SPIDERS getting in .... argh!!!!