Fresh water is one of those things that many people take for granted. If you
are an RV owner, be sure to keep your fresh water system properly maintained and
in good working order. Don't let a faulty fresh water system spoil your
hard-earned vacation.
Caring for an RV fresh water system doesn't need to
be an intimidating process. In fact, it's easier than most people think. There
are no guarantees that any water system delivers completely safe or pure water,
but taking certain precautions can keep your RV water safer and easier to use.
Thanks to Mark Polk for his contributions.
Begin with a white, non-toxic
drinking hose. Hoses not labeled "safe for drinking" can allow lead and other
dangerous chemicals to get into the water. Use the white non-toxic hose solely
for hooking up to your water source. Take along a green or black garden hose for
all other flushing and filling tasks, like cleaning out holding tanks or washing
the RV. While the white drinking hose is not in use, roll it up and connect the
two ends together. This will keep dirt, contamination and other debris from
getting in the hose. When you are ready to use it again, run some clean water
through the hose as an added precaution before hooking it up to the
RV.
The next step is to filter the incoming water with a high quality
filtration system. Water filters cannot purify the water completely, but they
can help to control and remove bacteria, lead and other dangerous contaminants
found in drinking water. Hydrolife filters feature a filter media called KDF
that uses electrochemical oxidation-reduction to neutralize harmful chemicals
and bacteria. The hydrolife filter also uses carbon to reduce pesticides,
fungicides and other organic contaminants.
There are two basic options
for filtering your RV water system. An inline filter installs directly to the
water line that you drink from. The other, more preferable option is to filter
all of the water going into the RV. By doing so, you are protecting the entire
water system, filtering the shower water to help prevent any skin
irritation.
Possibly the most important step is to keep your fresh water
system sanitized. At an absolute minimum, the system should be sanitized every
spring when you take the RV out of storage. Additionally, be sure to sanitize
the fresh water system any time you notice an odor.
To sanitize the fresh
water system, begin by draining the water heater. Find the water heater in the
outside compartment of your RV Autel
Maxidas DS808. The drain plug, or petcock, is located in the bottom left
hand corner. Remove the plug and open the pressure relief valve on top of the
water heater. CAUTION: NEVER drain the water heater when the water is hot or the
tank is under pressure.
Locate the lowest point where the water lines
drain. Look carefully, as they can be difficult to find. There will be one for
the hot and another for the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in the
water system Launch
CReader 9081. Open these and let the water drain out. Next, find the drain
for the fresh water holding tank and release all of the water from it. At this
point, turn the water pump on for a moment to force any remaining water out. Be
sure to shut off the pump as soon as the water stops draining. Close all of the
drains. The majority of the water has now been drained from the
system.
The next step in sanitizing your water system is to take a
quarter cup of household bleach for every fifteen gallons of water that your
fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach with water in a one-gallon container and
pour it into the fresh water holding tank. Next, fill the fresh water tank
almost completely full of water. Turn the water pump on, open all hot and cold
faucets in your RV and run the water until you smell the bleach at each faucet.
Close the faucets. If it's possible, pull the trailer or drive the RV to move
the water around and assist in cleaning the entire tank.
Once the tank
has been filled with the bleach-water combination, let it sit for at least 12
hours. Drain the entire system again, and then re-fill the fresh water tank with
potable water. Open all of the faucets and run the water until you no longer
smell any bleach. It may be necessary to repeat this process to eliminate all
signs of bleach from the water system. When the smell of bleach is gone, it will
be safe to use your water system.
Modern RVs are equipped with automatic
pressure demand pumps, polyethylene fresh water storage tanks and polybutylene
water lines. These systems were designed to operate at a certain maximum water
pressure level, about 35 to 45 pounds per square inch. The on-board pump has a
built-in pressure switch that shuts off power to the pump when the pressure has
been reached. Most homes and RV parks have a city water connection to supply
water. Often, the pressure at these facilities exceeds 80 pounds per square
inch, and sometimes much more.
Take care, as this high-pressure can and
will cause leaks to develop.
For your peace of mind, invest in a simple
water pressure regulator to use whenever you're using an outside water supply
source. This device controls the incoming water pressure to supply a continuous
and regulated 45 PSI maximum. The regulator is connected at the supply end of
the hose to protect the hose and the RV at the same time. You can purchase a
water pressure regulator at your local RV supply store.
People enjoy the
RV lifestyle because it offers freedom to travel with all the comforts of home.
Make sure that your comfort includes a supply of clean drinking water wherever
your travels might take you.
Related Links
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