Citric acid - how much to use?

[Wh05apk]

For a while now our water has not been right, I have used Puriclense? to clean the tank, but I think the issue is that our van has a built in 10m hose (brilliant for filling but holds water which then goes off) so will fill that first, looking to use Citric acid, what dilution should I use? I think I will use a higher strength in the hose, then fill the tank, with a slightly weaker concentration, but at what level?

 

[Tasape]

Cleaning with Citric Acid is very easy. Simply mix the powder (anhydrous) form with water into a 5-7% solution. This should be sufficient for light descaling, removing mineral deposits, hard water stain removal, etc. If you want to try an increased concentration for more effectiveness, a 10% solution may be slightly more effective.

To help the crystals dissolve faster and make a more effective cleaning solution

 

[Wh05apk]

Cleaning with Citric Acid is very easy. Simply mix the powder (anhydrous) form with water into a 5-7% solution. This should be sufficient for light descaling, removing mineral deposits, hard water stain removal, etc. If you want to try an increased concentration for more effectiveness, a 10% solution may be slightly more effective.

To help the crystals dissolve faster and make a more effective cleaning solution

Thanks, will get some ordered.

 

[Reallyretired]

Buy the 1Kg bags online. If you buy the little ones from Boots it will cost a fortune.

 

[Landy Andy]

We buy 5kg tubs from Amazon

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Deadloss]

I think I probably need to do mine. Is this safe to use through a Truma boiler - i.e. the hot water system?

 

[gpat]

For a while now our water has not been right, I have used Puriclense? to clean the tank, but I think the issue is that our van has a built in 10m hose (brilliant for filling but holds water which then goes off) so will fill that first, looking to use Citric acid, what dilution should I use? I think I will use a higher strength in the hose, then fill the tank, with a slightly weaker concentration, but at what level?

What do you mean by not being right?

 

[Wh05apk]

What do you mean by not being right?

Smelly with a taste.

 

[gpat]

Smelly with a taste.

Ok. Forget the citric acid then. That wont help.

Is it an earthy taste, chlorine taste or a phenolic taste?

 

[Wh05apk]

Ok. Forget the citric acid then. That wont help.

Is it an earthy taste, chlorine taste or a phenolic taste?

Not sure, possibly chlorine?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

I think I probably need to do mine. Is this safe to use through a Truma boiler - i.e. the hot water system?

You must be sure to thoroughly flush it out afterwards otherwise you may need a new boiler. I would start a new thread and get advice from those who have successfully done this.

Citric acid is for descaling if the water tastes odd this is due to another cause, not scale. Something to kill mould is what you need

 

[JockandRita]

We used to get a warm musty smell and taste from the mixer tap, indicating bacteria of some sort, and the cold supply pipe being too close to a heat source. I identified the heat source and isolated the cold pipe accordingly.

I then filled the fresh tank with a citric acid solution, ie. 1 x tblsp to every 5 x litres of water, which I then primed the system with, including the hot water tank. I turned the boiler on for 20 x minutes, turned it off, and left everything overnight.

Next day I drained and flushed through the whole system, until the water tasted fine. I do this once a year now, but I never leave water in the system between trips, ie, I always drain down, even in the summertime.

I have since fitted an inline water filter, however, I remove the filter before sterilising the system.

HTH,

Jock.

 

[Wh05apk]

You must be sure to thoroughly flush it out afterwards otherwise you may need a new boiler. I would start a new thread and get advice from those who have successfully done this.

Citric acid is for descaling if the water tastes odd this is due to another cause, not scale. Something to kill mould is what you need

I think ours is mould, what would you recommend?

 

[gpat]

​

 

[gpat]

Not sure, possibly chlorine?

That's not the answer I expected. We will need to confirm this. If you are up for some experiments I can help you over the coming week.

I'll ask you to do a number of things. If you do them and feed back to me I reckon I will be able to diagnose the problem.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wh05apk]

That's not the answer I expected. We will need to confirm this. If you are up for some experiments I can help you over the coming week.

I'll ask you to do a number of things. If you do them and feed back to me I reckon I will be able to diagnose the problem.

Will do. I think the issue started over lockdown, when we left water in the tanks too long. We also have a built in hose, so I think that is the source of the problem, the hose is in a locker on the sunny side when stored so that won't help, I think we either need to find out how to remove the hose reel and start the cleaning process there or somehow flush through somehow.

 

[steve69]

If you can detach the hose and take it into the bathroom, i would run some very hot water through it for a couple of minutes first. You might be surprised at what come out that way.

 

[Wh05apk]

If you can detach the hose and take it into the bathroom, i would run some very hot water through it for a couple of minutes first. You might be surprised at what come out that way.

Thats what I would like to do, but just need to work out how. Will have a look when I get a chance, as I am sure that is the main source if the problem, as it is held vertically, water can sit in the hose in between uses.

 

[Landy Andy]

Truma told we’re the people who recommend citric acid to me.

 

[gpat]

Will do. I think the issue started over lockdown, when we left water in the tanks too long. We also have a built in hose, so I think that is the source of the problem, the hose is in a locker on the sunny side when stored so that won't help, I think we either need to find out how to remove the hose reel and start the cleaning process there or somehow flush through somehow.

Ok. To rule out the hose I suggest that you completely drain down the tank and the hose. Then fill the system to full. Then empty it all again. Repeat 2 more times. Then thoroughly run the motorhome kitchen tap to clear whats in the pipe. Then taste the water. If it's ok then leave it 24 hours and taste it again. If it's getting worse then it looks like the tank.

We really need to know what the taste is though. Could also do with knowing what the water tastes like from your kitchen tap in the house.

Dont eat or drink anything for at least an hour before you taste the water. It will mask the problem.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wh05apk]

Ok. To rule out the hose I suggest that you completely drain down the tank and the hose. Then fill the system to full. Then empty it all again. Repeat 2 more times. Then thoroughly run the motorhome kitchen tap to clear whats in the pipe. Then taste the water. If it's ok then leave it 24 hours and taste it again. If it's getting worse then it looks like the tank.

We really need to know what the taste is though. Could also do with knowing what the water tastes like from your kitchen tap in the house.

Dont eat or drink anything for at least an hour before you taste the water. It will mask the problem.

Just an update, I couldn't work out how to disconnect the hose, so have flushed through with hot water (surplus solar heats hot water, so plenty available yesterday!) flushed tanks, then put a solution of elsan water tank cleaner through-including the hose, left overnight, and again flushed, all now seems to be OK.