| Every owner of an RV should keep the fresh | | | | stops draining as it may be damaged. Close all of |
| water system sanitized. At a minimum, you | | | | the drains. You have now drained most of the |
| should sanitize the system every spring when you | | | | water from the RV's system. |
| take the RV out of storage and any time you | | | | Take a quarter cup of household bleach for every |
| notice an odor. It's really quite simple to do. You | | | | fifteen gallons of water that your fresh water |
| can start by draining the water heater. Go to the | | | | tank holds. Mix the bleach, with water, into a |
| outside compartment where the water heater is | | | | one-gallon container and pour it into the fresh |
| located. | | | | water holding tank. Fill the fresh water tank |
| The drain plug, or petcock is located in the corner. | | | | almost completely full of water. Turn the water |
| Remove the plug and open the pressure relief | | | | pump on, open all hot and cold faucets and run |
| valve on top of the water heater to assist in | | | | the water until you smell the bleach at each |
| draining. CAUTION: NEVER drain the water heater | | | | faucet. Close the faucets. If it's possible drive the |
| when it's hot or under pressure. | | | | RV or pull the trailer so the water can move |
| You then need to locate the low point water line | | | | around to assist in cleaning the entire tank. |
| drains. It may take a while to find them, but they | | | | Let it sit for at least 12 hours. Drain the entire |
| are there. There will be one for the hot and one | | | | system again and re-fill the fresh water tank with |
| for the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in | | | | potable water. Open all of the faucets and run the |
| the water system. Open these and let the water | | | | water until you no longer smell any bleach. It may |
| drain out. Next, find the drain for the fresh water | | | | be necessary to repeat this process again to |
| holding tank and drain all of the water from it. At | | | | eliminate all signs of bleach from the water |
| this point you can turn the water pump on for a | | | | system. Once this is done it is safe to use your |
| moment to force any remaining water out. Do | | | | water system. |
| not let the pump continue to run once the water | | | | |