Cleaning the tanks with citric acid

[andyelbac]

I'm just about to clean our fresh water and waste water tank and by extension the Truma boiler for the first time. Living in the South East we suffer from limescale and it's this that I'm primarily trying to eradicate (or at least reduce). Looking at previous threads on this I note that many people use citric acid for this purpose. I ordered a tub of the stuff, which has come in a fine powder, not unlike sugar. Before using on the motorhome I decided to try it on one of the toilet pans at home , which, because of the limescale, has a tendency to attract the brown stuff as it makes its way from a*se to u-bend. I put some down into the pan, mixed with some warm water and left for 30 minutes. When I went back, I noticed that whilst there was an improvement in how clean the pan was, there was also a solid mass of citric acid sitting in the bottom. It had basically solidified. I'm nervous now about putting the stuff in my fresh water tank and particularly the boiler. Have I used it incorrectly? Am I worrying unnecessarily? Thoughts and advice welcome.

 

[Ernesto]

I'm just about to clean our fresh water and waste water tank and by extension the Truma boiler for the first time. Living in the South East we suffer from limescale and it's this that I'm primarily trying to eradicate (or at least reduce). Looking at previous threads on this I note that many people use citric acid for this purpose. I ordered a tub of the stuff, which has come in a fine powder, not unlike sugar. Before using on the motorhome I decided to try it on one of the toilet pans at home , which, because of the limescale, has a tendency to attract the brown stuff as it makes its way from a*se to u-bend. I put some down into the pan, mixed with some warm water and left for 30 minutes. When I went back, I noticed that whilst there was an improvement in how clean the pan was, there was also a solid mass of citric acid sitting in the bottom. It had basically solidified. I'm nervous now about putting the stuff in my fresh water tank and particularly the boiler. Have I used it incorrectly? Am I worrying unnecessarily? Thoughts and advice welcome.

Probably makes sense to use warmer water and thoroughly dissolve the powder before introducing it to the tank

 

[manners]

When I did mine I mixed it in a 10 litre container and gave it a good shake until it was all dissolved before adding to the water tank.

 

[jerryz]

I have used Citric acid or lemon juice in my fresh and grey tanks and it worked really well, no solids either

 

[Ernesto]

I suspect the amount of water in the U-bend is relatively very small, so the concentration of the acid is very high unless you measure it carefully - only needs about 1 tablespoon of powder to achieve same concentration as boiler descaling required.

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[Riverbankannie]

I had that problem with citric acid once. I decided to premix the ca with water in a litre jug so that I could then add the main bulk of water with hose into the tank. As you say, got a solid block of the stuff which took some breaking down. Now, I always dissolve smaller amounts in warm water first.
For the domestic toilet pans, I use white vinegar

 

[andyelbac]

Thanks all. The general concensus seems to be to thoroughly mix the powder with water before adding to the tank. I will give that a go in our other pan as an experiment before trying on the van.

 

[scotjimland]

Descaling the Truma water heater

The Truma website it will tell you to de-scale as follows: -

“For hygienic reasons you should decalcify the water container occasionally. Use special decalcification products from camping specialists or conventional vinegar essence or citric acid, for example.

Fill the decalcifying product in the recommended ratio into the appliance via the water system, allow it to work and then rinse the Combi heater thoroughly with fresh water”

following an email to Truma I received the following reply which many other people have: -

“Please find below instructions for descaling the Truma water heater:
Dilute 2 litres of white wine vinegar into 10/12 litres of fresh water, introduce into your water system via your water inlet, (removing the filter if one is fitted for this process) open the taps to pull through to the heater and then leave the solution in the heater for 4 to 5 hours and then flush through with fresh water”.

I have also been provided with the following additional advice concerning the use of Citric acid:

The ratio Truma recommend is 1 tablespoon of citric acid to 1 litre of water”.

My preference is Citric Acid.

Make up the solution of Citric Acid,
I used an 11lt watering can and poured the solution into the fresh tank, then pumped through all taps, hot and cold, including shower head, and toilet flush.
Use warm water to aid dissolving the acid

Leave for a couple of hours , then drain down and flush system with plenty of fresh water..

Citric acid from here, fast and free delivery>

Citric Acid 1 Kg : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

Citric Acid 1 Kg : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

^^^^^ As above, been using it a couple of years now and no issues thus far. Do rinse very thoroughly though. You can heat the water in the boiler for a more effective clean. Also, check the taps the next day to make sure they're opening and rotating correctly, it's a sticky solution.
Mike.

 

[Shrimp]

Years ago we used a powder form to clean the fresh water tank on a van we had just bought-water smelt like seaweed!
We vowed never to use a powder again, took a lot of shifting out of the tank and numerous fillings/emptyings in spite of believing we had dissolved it!

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[Jewellbags]

I had better results with white vinegar than citric acid - more fizz from the taps as I emptied it after but the vinegar taste did linger a while even after a rinse or two . Think this is the video I watched first time

 

[PP Bear]

It’s got to be fully diluted in hot water before adding to the tanks. Been using it for years and never had any problems.

 

[Jewellbags]

I had better results with white vinegar than citric acid - more fizz from the taps as I emptied it after but the vinegar taste did linger a while even after a rinse or two . Think this is the video I watched first time

 

[andyelbac]

Thanks all. Some very detailed responses there. The main takeaway seems to be that if using citric acid, get the ratio right and make sure it's thoroughly dissolved before tipping into tank. Will give this a go.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Thanks all. Some very detailed responses there. The main takeaway seems to be that if using citric acid, get the ratio right and make sure it's thoroughly dissolved before tipping into tank. Will give this a go.

And, well rinsed.

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[TheMobileWanderer]

I'm just about to clean our fresh water and waste water tank and by extension the Truma boiler for the first time. Living in the South East we suffer from limescale and it's this that I'm primarily trying to eradicate (or at least reduce). Looking at previous threads on this I note that many people use citric acid for this purpose. I ordered a tub of the stuff, which has come in a fine powder, not unlike sugar. Before using on the motorhome I decided to try it on one of the toilet pans at home , which, because of the limescale, has a tendency to attract the brown stuff as it makes its way from a*se to u-bend. I put some down into the pan, mixed with some warm water and left for 30 minutes. When I went back, I noticed that whilst there was an improvement in how clean the pan was, there was also a solid mass of citric acid sitting in the bottom. It had basically solidified. I'm nervous now about putting the stuff in my fresh water tank and particularly the boiler. Have I used it incorrectly? Am I worrying unnecessarily? Thoughts and advice welcome.

Not a direct answer however, recently, I used soda crystals in the home WC to refresh it. It solidified in the lower part of the bowl even with boiling water used to mix it. Needed to prise it off the bottom manually, with a chisel, not with a hammer lol and it didn't damage the ceramic. The instructions 'later' said not to use in such places where it will rest.

How far do you live from a more suitable water supply? Were it me, I'd like to fill up with less 'troublesome' water, if possible.