Fresh water tank cleaning!

[Dorset Diver]

As the van has not been used for few months (family illnesses and now sorned) Just realised that I have had fresh water in the tank hanging around for months.

what’s the best way to clean the tank out and what with?

Don’t forget as it sorned and I have also torn a hamstring, I can’t drive up the road and slush the water around.

May be able to get to the local chemist or Tesco to buy something.

regards. Colyboy

Have a look at Katadyn Products. I use the Micropur Classic fluid to maintain the water left in the tank and / or the Micropur Forte to clean it if required. They do a kit KATADYN MICROPUR TANK CARE LINE MICROBOX that could be quite handy for you. Just to be sure all is covered once I have treated the water with Micropur Classic I run about 20 litres through the system to ensure the hot water tank and both the hot and cold pipes and pump are also protected.

 

[The Coops]

I use Elsan Freshwater Tank Cleaner. I use it once or twice a year (Depending on van use) and so far have not been ill or come across any other problems. We are happy to drink the water straight from the tank.

Me too

 

[the1andonly]

Question
What state do you expect the boiler/ element to be in?
I just removed the mains element from a truma combi 15 yrs old. It stoped being used as the gas ignition died. Was uzed typicaly 3 weeks and 5 weekends per yr and emptied after each use.
Will it fit a 3 yr old truma boiler?

 

[g3cwi]

I just use ordinary household bleach, diluted. Fill the tank and system, leave for a few hours, then flush through with fresh water.

As soon as it became obvious that the van would not be used for some months I filled the tank with a dilute bleach solution. Over the last week or so I have emptied it and refilled a few times. The tank appears completely clean inside and none of the bleach has been through the pump. Hopefully all is well. I will flush the pipes shortly.

 

[Off da Grid]

Puraclean safe for all materials

 

[Hymer 1961]

I use puri sol at the beginning of each season available here & other suppliers

Puri Sol Water Tank Cleaner

Advanced water tank cleaner that cleans and purifies water storage tanks killing micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses, & fungi, while eliminating tastes and odour, and removing biofilms.

www.sheridanmarine.com

Another vote for Puri Sol for sterilising the tank, pipes and taps after long periods of being idle. I use Aqua Sol for looking after the water. Did mine yesterday.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I use these water purification tablets. They give the water a slight taste but I find that a useful way of knowing the purified water has reached the taps. There are several other brands but make sure you buy the big tablets. Mini ones only do a litre of water each. I would dissolve sufficient tablets for the tank capacity in warm water in a watering can. Drain the tank then add the watering can and then fill the tank. Run the taps until you can taste the water coming through. Leave for 24 hours, run the taps again to flush any rubbish out then drain and leave empty.

Amazon product ASIN B0862B9DZT

Clean Tabs Aqua Midi Water Purifying Tablets

£7.75

View on Amazon

This

 

[Spanner]

Milton sterilising fluid, available any chemist or supermarkets

 

[joemocks79]

Has anyone seen this before or know much about it?
https://www.tank-o3.nl/en

 

[Ian Bosman]

Puriclean is effective and easy to use

And it claims not to be harmful to the tank plastic material

 

[Spriddler]

I put precautionary Aqua tabs in my m/h fresh water tank mainly in case there might be any nasties in the water that I take on abroad. I only use water from the m/h tank for showers, teeth, the basin and washing up.
Back home my bathroom hot water for the sink, shower and the kitchen comes from an open plastic storage tank in the loft, then into the copper cylinder then to the the taps and shower. I haven't sterilised any of them ever, and I've been living here for 36 years.
When I return home after a couple of weeks or months away I don't run the hot or cold taps to clear out the 'old' water.

 

[gwyntaxi]

As the van has not been used for few months (family illnesses and now sorned) Just realised that I have had fresh water in the tank hanging around for months.

what’s the best way to clean the tank out and what with?

Don’t forget as it sorned and I have also torn a hamstring, I can’t drive up the road and slush the water around.

May be able to get to the local chemist or Tesco to buy something.

regards. Colyboy

I thought I would try and read all the responses to this topic before I put my 2pennyworth in thereby repeating a lot of things already said. I put water in my tank usually before going away and try and estimate the quantity I may use over a given period, e.g. if only going to a Motorhome show normally 5-6 days away I put a quarter of a tank in, mainly for washing dishes, flushing the loo etc. I will use the showers at the shows for showering etc.and if I need a little top up I will put 10-20 litres in the tank, I also take a 10 litre can of what I call our drinking water (Wales is known for it’s very soft good quality water)which is all put thru a filter jug. THEN before setting off for home or ANY time I finish a camping break even if it’s every weekend or so I ALWAYS drain the tank before setting off. If I just go for a 3 or 4 night break somewhere wilcamping I will fill my tank before I go and hopefully that will last me if there’s any left I drain it before heading home. This to me has two benefits. It costs fuel to carry weight (water weighs 1kg per litre) so dragging around dead weight is senseless, and when I fill up before my next outing my tank is fresh and empty (so no stale water) also there is enough chlorine in our domestic water systems to ensure you freshwater tank is always clean and fresh and associated cold pipeswork is kept in a clean state, at the end of what I term as the season I.e. November-ish I drain all the pipework via the drain down valves in the lowest part of the system, and all is good and clean for the start of MY season in JANUARY. Sometimes between Jan-Nov I will give the fresh TANK a thorough clean with a good mix of domestos filled to 3/4 full take it for a drive to agitate it and get a thorough sloshing around stop draw a few litres thru alll COLD taps only, then drive home drain out and rinse with a full tank of fresh water
My water system is so clean I could if needed and have used tank water for cooking or making tea/coffee with no ill affect on taste. I apologise for such a long post on what may be a boring simple subject, but find it useful to know how others keep their water systems in tip top condition, thanks for taking the time to read it.

 

[gus-lopez]

and have used tank water for cooking or making tea/coffee with no ill affect on taste.

I thought everyone did that without all the cleaning?

 

[Ginster]

In the 2.5 years I've had mine, I've never cleaned out any of the tanks, mostly because it's either out being used or in storage and I live in a first floor flat so nowhere to do it. I only use the on board water for showering or washing up, not for cooking or drinking. I do fully empty all the tanks before it goes back to storage ready for the next trip and I usually use it every other weekend all year round.

 

[Reallyretired]

If I'm not using it the tanks are left empty. I keep the fresh water tank full as far as possible when away, often topping up daily if convenient just to keep it fresh.
I have ordered, for experimental purposes an ozone water purifier, but not the very expensive one above.
We have always used the tank water for cooking and tea making.

 

[steve69]

Call me old-fashioned but:
Just drain the tank, hook up fresh water supply hose and just flush the tank out a few times and leave the drain tap open for a day or so. Don't leave the tap open all the time because slugs like to crawl up it for shelter. If it's going to be a while before you do use it again then flush once more before filling.

 

[Ginster]

Call me old-fashioned but:
Just drain the tank, hook up fresh water supply hose and just flush the tank out a few times and leave the drain tap open for a day or so. Don't leave the tap open all the time because slugs like to crawl up it for shelter. If it's going to be a while before you do use it again then flush once more before filling.

OMG, hate slugs

 

[thebriars]

OMG, hate slugs

You need to cook them slowly.