Water tank air filter.

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Hi all, having read many post about how to keep the vans pipework mould free by leaving taps open, and the main tanks top bung open. It occurred to me that the tank top bung was by virtue of being open a likely entry point for flying critters. I knocked up the sponge and speaker cloth laminated temporary bung for when the vans in storage. It allows air in, but keeps out the critters. Simple to make, and it can live under the seat when not used. I expect the 3D printer gang could knock out a more professional looking threaded version that might even have some commercial viability.
Mike

 

[funflair]

I don't see how letting air into the water system would keep it mould free, my thinking would be the complete opposite but I haven't read any other views.

 

[peterc10]

Hi all, having read many post about how to keep the vans pipework mould free by leaving taps open, and the main tanks top bung open.
Mike

I have been an active member of this forum for 8 years and cannot remember having ever reading anything about this "problem" or a solution. Never suffered with mould in tank or pipework in either motorhome I have had during that time.

Drain down for winter and clean them out in spring with citric acid solution is all I have ever done. Our tanks have always had ventilation via overflow pipe and/or breather filler cap.

 

[Stealaway]

I think you are trying to avoid a problem that doesn't exist.
I'll not bother thanks

 

[two]

Thanks for sharing your ideas.
I think you have been researching in the wrong place, however. It's a shame but, in these days of easy mass-communication, mis-information can be spread very quickly. I do wonder if this is started mischievously, but cannot see what satisfaction a perpetuator might gain from such.
It is my belief that mould needs air to spread, so leaving the pipes full of water should be better than emptying them. Many filler caps have breathers in them anyway, else the tank has a separate breather, so there's no need to remove the filler cap to provide a path for air to get in.
You should empty your boiler and leave taps open in winter to avoid freezing water splitting expensive components, but I don't fret about emptying the pipework, even then.
I wouldn't be bold enough to say that you are wrong, but don't think your suggestion is as good as it might seem.

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[BouncyBoatFolk]

Many thanks for the constructive criticism, luckily, my genes gifted me with very broad shoulders so more than able to absorb such comments.
In my lifetime of building work I have only ever discovered internal mould in unventilated spaces, bathroom's, kitchen's, loft's, floor void's ect, and the remedy has always been a very low tech application of air vents by trickle, or forced application.
PS, yes I do drain down the boiler and pipes, and also leave the taps open, but even after blowing the pipes through was still a perturbed to find frozen water in them when checking the van in -5 deg temperatures last winter.
Mike.

 

[two]

Once you are familiar with your van, you can take better precautions. In my view, plastic will yield to freezing, so I don't bother trying to blow out anything remaining in pipework. The boiler, pump and taps are the most expensive, so I concentrate on those. I also remove the filter bowl at the pump because it's quite common for these to suffer if water freezes in them.
Meanwhile, enjoy your travels....