fresh water tanks and hot water heater

[cjlake]

what is the best way to get rid of the odor in fresh water tank and water heater.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: fresh water tanks and hot water heater

What kind of odor are you getting? If it's a plastic odor, that's a little tough to get rid of, but will go away over time. If it's a stale, musty odor, here's one method:<br /><br />What I've done in motor home tanks is to empty the tank, then refill it completely, using a gallon of plain white vinegar poured in before the water. Let sit over night. Drain and flush a couple of times with fresh water. The idea is to get all the vinegar out of the tank.<br /><br />Next, once the vinegar is out, I add a couple of boxes of baking soda, and refill. Let sit overnight....You may get some foaming if you didn't flush out all the vinegar well enough. No harm done.<br /><br />Finally, drain, refill, drain, refill, until you've flushed the system thoroughly. Drain, and let dry out overnight.<br /><br />Refill again and see if you still have an odor. You probably won't, but you can repeat this process.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: fresh water tanks and hot water heater

Oh, yeah. If the odor is like spoiled fish or spoiled meat, you have another problem. In that case, you're going to need a good mix of chlorine bleach in there to kill whatever germs are living in the thing. <br /><br />Once you've done that and let sit overnight, flush very thoroughly and do the steps in the previous message.<br /><br />Not all tanks can be saved, I'm afraid. If you really have some bacterial stuff growing in there, get your water tested at a lab, once you've cleaned it. You don't want anyone drinking it and getting sick.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: fresh water tanks and hot water heater

Borrowed from Boatfix forum...<br /><br />Fresh Water System Commissioning<br /><br />Fresh water system problems--foul odor or taste--are typically caused by allowing water to stagnate in the system. Although most people think only in terms of the tank, the plumbing is actually the source of most foul water, because the molds, mildew, fungi and bacteria that cause it thrive in damp dark places, not under water. Many people—and even some boat manufacturers—believe that keeping the tanks empty reduce the problem, but an empty water tank only provides another damp dark home for those “critters.” <br /><br />There are all kinds of products sold that claim to keep onboard water fresh, but all that’s really necessary is an annual or in especially warm climates, semi-annual re-commissioning of the entire system—tank and plumbing. The following recommendations conform to section 10.8 in the A-1 192 code covering electrical, plumbing, and heating of recreational vehicles. The solution is approved and recommended by competent health officials. It may be used in a new system a used one that has not been used for a period of time, or one that may have been contaminated. <br /><br />Before beginning, turn off hot water heater at the breaker; do not turn it on again until the entire re-commissioning is complete. <br /><br />Icemakers should be left running to allow cleaning out of the water feed line; however the first two buckets of ice—the bucket generated during re-commissioning and the first bucketful afterward--should be discarded. <br /><br />1. Prepare a chlorine solution using one gallon of water and 1/2 cup (4 oz) Clorox or Purex household bleach (5% sodium Hypochlorite solution). With tank empty, pour chlorine solution into tank. Use one gallon of solution for each 5 gallons of tank capacity. <br /><br />2. Complete filling of tank with fresh water. Open each faucet and drain **** until air has been released and the entire system is filled. Do not turn off the pump; it must remain on to keep the system pressurized and the solution in the lines <br /><br />3. Allow to stand for at least three hours, but no longer than 24 hours.<br /><br />4 Drain through every faucet on the boat (and if you haven't done this in a while, it's a good idea to remove any diffusion screens from the faucets, because what's likely to come out will clog them). Fill the tank again with fresh water only, drain again through every faucet on the boat. <br /><br />5. To remove excess chlorine taste or odor which might remain, prepare a solution of one quart white vinegar to five gallons water and allow this solution to agitate in tank for several days by vehicle motion. <br /><br />6. Drain tank again through every faucet, and flush the lines again by fill the tank 1/4-1/2 full and again flushing with potable water.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: fresh water tanks and hot water heater

lakesden, how old is your tanks? I had the same problem with my 77 cabin cruiser. I posted here a long while back. Tried all the remedies and still have odor. Its not as bad, but it is still there. We only use the water for showers and cleaning.<br /><br />I even went as far to cut access holes in the tops of the tanks to physically scrub the tanks. Replaced all the water lines, pump, and fittings. Still the odor persists.<br /><br />Another note, if someone used a RV antifreeze in them, forget about it. You will never get the odor out. I think that is what happened to my tanks. I plan on replacing mine after this seasons haul out.<br /><br />Good luck