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Keeping It Fresh:
Tips for Care and Maintenance of Your RV's Fresh Water System
Courtesy of Good Sam Extended Service Plan
Proper care and regular maintenance of your RV's fresh water system is important not only to protect your investment, but also to safeguard your health. Whether you have a motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer, it's something that just can't be ignored. Here are a few essential tips for maintaining a safe and trouble-free fresh water system in your rig.
- Use a separate fresh water fill hose that is designed specifically and only for drinking water. Use a different color of hose for your utility hose so you will never mix them up.
- When your fresh water hose is not in use, connect the ends of the hose together to keep the dirt, debris and insects out.
- Know your water source. Don't assume it to be safe. Run some water from the water source faucet into a glass and check for clarity and odor before filling your fresh water tank. Keep a supply of bottled water in your rig as a back up.
- Connect a water pressure regulator to the faucet end of your hose to be sure of the pressure from your water source.
- Use a water filter for your fresh water intake and change it at least once a year or sooner if you notice a change in the taste or flow of your water. (Note: Filters will remove contaminates and improve taste, but will not purify your water.)
- Empty your potable water tank when not using your RV for more than 3-4 weeks at a time.
- Sanitize your fresh water system–including your fresh water fill hose–before initial use, approximately every six months when in use, and after extended periods of non-use. If you live or camp in a warm climate and the water is left in the tank for prolonged periods, you may want to sanitize the system more frequently.
Sanitizing your fresh water tank
- Drain your tank.
- Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing a quarter cup of liquid household bleach with a gallon of water. Use one gallon of solution for each 15 gallons of tank capacity.
- Turn off all the faucets and close all drain valves. Pour the solution into the fresh water tank.
- Fill the tank the remainder of the way with fresh water.
- Turn on the water pump. Open all faucets one at a time to remove air from the lines. When water begins to flow steadily, turn faucet off.
- Refill the tank with fresh water and let stand 3-6 hours.
- Drain the system by opening all faucets and the fresh water tank drain valve while flushing the system with drinking quality water.
- Continue flushing the system, allowing the water to flow for several minutes.
- Close the tank drain valve and faucets. Refill the system with drinking quality water.
Following these simple tips can prevent problems and provide you with a safe fresh water system. But, in the event your fresh water tank, other holding tanks (grey or black) or additional mechanical systems in your vehicle should fail, you can avoid the cost of expensive repairs with Good Sam Extended Service Plan. This mechanical breakdown insurance covers the expensive repairs to just about anything that can go wrong, including problems with your holding tanks. For Good Sam members, it's a benefit you can drink to!
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