how do I put bleach into the fresh water tank

[scooooots]

Please excuse my newbie question but I want to sanitize my fresh water tank (as per the instructions in the manual) but I don't know how to add bleach to the tank. I can't use a funnel because of the fill valve. Any help?

[Eagle5]

Hi Scooooots,
Hook-up your drained fresh water hose to your RV, then pour the bleach into the open end of your hose. Chase it in with fresh water, and you are off to the races!
Welcome to the forum.
Eagle5

[scooooots]

Thanks very much, I didn't expect it to be such an unsophisticated solution. I'm very surprised the manual doesn't give any indication of how to do this. All it states is, pour chlorine solution into the tank. I'll give this a try!

[creativepart]

Eagle5 is correct... but for some reason someone came up with a product to do the same thing.

https://www.amazon.com/RV-Inline-San...dp/B08F2QTQ5T/

[wyocamper]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Eagle5 is correct... but for some reason someone came up with a product to do the same thing.

https://www.amazon.com/RV-Inline-San...dp/B08F2QTQ5T/

That's cute. And for 10 bucks I might even consider it just for the convenience and less chance of spillage. But $33?!! That's just plain nuts.

[emiddleb]

Another option... on many units there is a capped hose that feeds into the water pump. Usually used to suck RV antifreeze in for winterizing, but can also be used to suck bleach. Make sure your valves are set to fill the water tank.

[Wayne M]

If you have a whole house filter, unscrew it and remove the filter, which you should do anyhow. Pour the bleach in the filter, screw it back on and then fill the tank. When water starts to flow out the overflow shut the water off and let it sit for 4 hours. Fill the tank and flush at least once, but preferably twice.,..That's my way..

[SteveD49]

A flexible funnel makes it easy on my View.
https://www.amazon.com/FlexAll-Funne...dp/B093WXCPJW/

[Mtn Charlie]

Originally Posted by emiddleb

Another option... on many units there is a capped hose that feeds into the water pump. Usually used to suck RV antifreeze in for winterizing, but can also be used to suck bleach. Make sure your valves are set to fill the water tank.

If you use this method, be sure to flush fresh water thru your pump. DO NOT let straight bleach set in your pump for any period of time.

[Cooperhawk]

Be very very careful my friend. My DW who is a germophobic put waaaaay to much bleach in our water tank. We got to our destination and we simply could not use the water to shower or anything else. I've flushed the tank twice and it still smells like bleach.

[emiddleb]

Originally Posted by Mtn Charlie

If you use this method, be sure to flush fresh water thru your pump. DO NOT let straight bleach set in your pump for any period of time.

Agreed. I should have added that.

[Army Guy]

I use the whole house filter also. Remove filter first and then fill.

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by Wayne M

If you have a whole house filter, unscrew it and remove the filter, which you should do anyhow. Pour the bleach in the filter, screw it back on and then fill the tank. When water starts to flow out the overflow shut the water off and let it sit for 4 hours. Fill the tank and flush at least once, but preferably twice.,..That's my way..

What Wayne said. This is by the book

I also turn on the faucets and shower until I smell the chlorine coming out of each. I let it sit 4 hours or overnight and drain and I am all good.

[Jos 56]

I have a filter on the incoming line. I remove the filter and add bleach in the empty cannister. We realized that not all potable water is safe when my wife got Beaver Fever somewhere in the Yukon or Northern BC. My dog and I were unaffected. So now we've increased the level of chlorine in our freshwater tank and use an active carbon filter for drinking water. The amount of chlorine is near the upper end for safe water, so it's OK for showering or washing, but it does have a taste if you do not have a carbon filter.

[Westonbum]

I agree with wyocamper

[Bobgin]

Cut a 4 inch square hole in the side of a 2 liter soda bottle and use it as a funnel. It fits very nicely in the fill hole on your trailer.

[n9wdq]

Be careful not to use way too much bleach and also flush your tank afterwards otherwise you will have residual chlorine in you water

[Iony]

Make it simple ! First, empty your fresh water tank! Second, if you have a gravity water refill , use a fennel to be able to pour cloin in .
Usually, I put clorin first, than water. And than, I take it to a short spin, park, leave it to rest for about 4 hours. You know the rest...

[Morich]

Originally Posted by n9wdq

Be careful not to use way too much bleach and also flush your tank afterwards otherwise you will have residual chlorine in you water

A small note on this is to keep it from confusing folks who do not know water treatment.
You DO WANT a chlorine residual in the water as it is normal as a way to keep the remaining bacteria that is in all water from growing/reproducing to a point where it is likely to make you sick.

A level of 3-10 PPM is spec for public water supplies using chlorine. Water treatment has to be a bit of "estimate" as the amount of organic the treatment meets is often unknown, so some thought on how you will use the water in the tank is needed. If you are the type who may use and refill the tank every few days so that you replenish the chlorine on refills, you can use less than if you are the type which may add the treated water and not use it for a few weeks.
It is always good to keep in mind that the treatment is not meant to kill ALL the bad stuff we find in the water but to knock it back to a level that is considered safe for most people to drink. The amount left in water, even bottled water, is still going to grow and become dangerous at some point in time.
Check bottled water and you may find the expiration date and that is an estimate of when the levels of bacteria may become a hazard again.

[1Albert2]

We live on a well and don’t use chlorine to clean the fresh water tank for that reason. 1/2 gallon of white vinegar and then fill the fresh water tank then drain. We usually do that twice. No residual chlorine taste or smell