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Cleaning Water Tank in Motorhome

cleaning water tank motorhome rv

Cleaning Water Tank in Motorhome

Before embarking on your next adventure in your motorhome or recreational vehicle (RV), your freshwater, greywater, and blackwater tanks must be clean. Cleaning a motorhome fresh water tank is more manageable than some might think. It involves just three steps: emptying, cleaning, and refilling.

It’s a straightforward cleaning technique that guarantees your water tank functions optimally and you can access safe water for drinking and showering.

On the other hand, a clean grey water tank motorhome and cleaning motorhome waste water tank involve different cleaning techniques. Following our step-by-step instructions will make these tasks more manageable.

This blog will explain the importance of cleaning water tank in motorhome, the types of water tanks, reasons for cleaning them, and their ideal cleaning frequencies.

What is a Motorhome Water Tank?

All motorhomes have a freshwater tank that stores water for drinking, showering, and using the sink. Manufacturers typically use galvanised steel, polyethylene plastic, or PVC and nylon to make these tanks.

Motorhomes also have greywater and blackwater tanks, each serving a unique function. Most motorhomes have freshwater and greywater tanks. An RV will only have a blackwater tank if it has a toilet. Regardless of their type, motorhome tanks typically store 60 to 90 litres of water.

Here are the three types of tanks for motorhomes:

  • Freshwater tank: This RV tank stores clean water, which passes through a plumbing system and eventually reaches your motorhome’s sink, shower, and toilet.
  • Greywater tank: This tank gathers the wastewater from sinks and showers after use.
  • Blackwater tank: This tank gathers and stores human waste from the toilet.

Why Is Cleaning Water Tank In Motorhome Important?

It’s crucial to clean your motorhome’s freshwater, greywater, and blackwater tanks so you and your fellow travellers remain safe and healthy.

Regular cleaning also ensures your RV’s water tanks don’t have offensive odours and tastes and stay usable for a long time.

Sometimes, you and your companions need help accessing fresh water (especially in desolate areas). In that scenario, your motorhome’s freshwater tank is your only source of clean water for drinking, taking showers, and using the sink. Thus, cleaning motorhome fresh water tank is crucial.

If you leave your freshwater dormant, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and biofilm can contaminate them and make your water taste and smell bad. Worse, contaminated water can compromise your health.

On the other hand, your RV’s greywater and blackwater tanks contain waste products that require frequent deep cleaning. Regular sanitation helps prevent clogging of your water tanks and unpleasant odours permeating your RV.  Greywater and blackwater tanks’ sensors also work more efficiently and produce accurate readings when they’re clean.

Your RV’s greywater tank gathers wastewater from the sinks and showers. You must ensure a clean grey water tank motorhome to prevent clogging and nasty odours. Grey water doesn’t remain grey — it turns black after a day or two depending on the humidity level. The water becomes dirty and contaminated with bacteria.

If your RV has a toilet, it also has a blackwater tank. The latter gathers potentially dangerous toilet waste, so cleaning motorhome waste water tank is imperative. Sanitising your blackwater tank and emptying its waste in authorised disposal stations helps prevent contaminants from permeating your RV.

Steps to Cleaning Your Motorhome Fresh Water Tank

To make cleaning your motorhome’s freshwater tank easier, follow these nine simple steps:

1) Empty the tank: Your motorhome’s freshwater tank is easier to drain than its greywater and blackwater counterparts because the latter two tanks require a sewer for waste disposal.

Although a freshwater tank has no waste, draining it requires attention to your surroundings, the environment, and the people nearby.

Before emptying your motorhome’s freshwater tank:

  • Turn off the water heater and water pump
  • Drain the taps.
  • Open the drain valve to release the water.

Connecting a hose to your freshwater tank to drain its contents isn’t necessary. Open the drain valve slowly to ensure a steady stream of water.

2) Clean the tank’s interior: To eliminate residual dirt or debris from your freshwater tank, hose down its nooks and crevices. Although this step is optional it’s ideal if it’s been a long time since you last cleaned your RV’s freshwater tank.

3) Use a cleaning agent: Use reliable cleaning agents for your freshwater tank, including commercial options like Tank Clean or Milton baby bottle solution. You can also use natural alternatives such as vinegar and bicarb soda.

Chlorine dioxide is another effective solution for cleaning motorhome fresh water tank. It’s a safe product you can buy in tablet form. Combine your preferred cleaning solution with water using a hose, funnel, or watering can.

Although the vinegar, bicarb soda, and water combination is the least effective cleaning solution, it can eliminate 80% of germs from your RV’s freshwater tank.

Some travellers attest to red cordial as an effective cleaning agent. Fill your freshwater tank with this non-alcoholic beverage, let it sit for half an hour, and then rinse it out.

4) Refill the freshwater tank: Refill your motorhome’s freshwater tank with water to ensure it combines with your preferred cleaning solution. This step will sanitise the entire tank, including its surface area.

5) Turn on the faucets until the water starts running:Running your taps for a few minutes and turning them off again will eliminate nasty residual water from your RV’s piping system.

6) Allow the cleaning solution to settle: Experts don’t recommend a specific time for letting the cleaning solution settle. However, if your cleaning agent sits in your freshwater tank longer, the possibility of eliminating more contaminants increases.

Some experienced travellers recommend letting it settle for 24 hours. That duration allows the cleaning solution to settle while you explore and drive your motorhome.

7) Reflush the freshwater tank and pipes: Flush your tank again after your cleaning solution’s effect kicks in. At this point, the tank should already be sanitised and disinfected.

However, flushing out your tank again will remove the remaining residue and chlorine taste, producing maximum benefits. Repeat the same process from step 1 and gradually open the water valve, being mindful of the people and environment within your vicinity.

8) Replace the tank’s content with clean water: Refill your RV’s tank with fresh water. Avoid using an ordinary garden house, as it can re-introduce contaminants into your tank. Instead, use a drinking water hose or an inline water filter. The latter acts as an external water filter, latching on to the hose and filtering out impurities from the water. Once your freshwater tank is full, shut the drain valve and restore the water flow.

9) Test the water quality: The final step in cleaning motorhome fresh water tank is testing the water quality to ensure no residual contaminants remain. You can use a water testing kit or take a water sample to a laboratory for further analysis.

What’s The Ideal Frequency For Cleaning Motorhome Fresh Water Tank?

The ideal frequency for cleaning a motorhome freshwater tank depends on how often you use your motorhome and the nasty odours emanating from the tank. The latter factor may indicate a water issue.

You should ideally clean their freshwater tanks every six months, especially if you’re always on the road. If you rarely use your motorhome, you should clean your freshwater tank every three months because stagnant water can trigger mould and algae growth. Experts also recommend cleaning a freshwater tank after returning from a long trip.

Regardless of your motorhome use frequency, you must clean your freshwater tank if the water produces a foul smell or taste. Some possible factors include:

  • Prolonged exposure to sunlight
  • Using the incorrect hose to fill up the tank
  • Leaving water in the tank for a long time

You should clean your freshwater tank thoroughly every time to eliminate bacteria, lower the risk of illness, and avoid serious water tank issues.

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