Posted 2017-04-12 8:29 AM Subject: LQ water tanks- Mildew
Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725 Location: SW North Dakota
I started "unwinterizing" my trailer last night and noticed some mildew in the cap and filling neck. I wiped out what I could get to, but expecting there is some in the pipe and tank. After rinsing the tank what seemed like 500 times to get rid of any pink tinge of antifreeze, I added about a cup of bleach before I quit for the night.
When I get home from work, I'll take it for a drive to slosh the bleach water around and try to get it all over the tank- I didn't see any black spots in the tank at all. The trailer is a 2015 Platinum with a Compass conversion, if that matters.
My question: Do any of you have a better solution than bleach to clean out any musty taste/smell in your LQ water tanks? Someone told me to add a gallon of Coke to 10 gallons of water, but I'm worried that might gum up my pump/valves.
Posted 2017-04-12 10:25 AM Subject: RE: LQ water tanks- Mildew
I don't have a living quarters trailer but I do have a fifth wheel (RV). Most people recommend you sanitize your tanks with bleach at least once a year. I visit a RV forum and this topic is discussed frequently. You may want to take a look over at rv.net.
Posted 2017-04-12 11:01 AM Subject: RE: LQ water tanks- Mildew
Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
RV manufacturers recommend about a cup of bleach and fill the water tank. I usually put a couple of cups. Leave it in there about an hour then drain. Fill several times to rinse. I NEVER DRANK OR COOKED with the water from the tanks on our RV's. Have had them since 1985. To winterize ours we always drained the water tank and ran the pump a few seconds to run the water out. If the trailer was at home I kept a little heater on in the trailer to keep the temp up to 40.
Posted 2017-04-12 12:17 PM Subject: RE: LQ water tanks- Mildew
I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864 Location: In the Hills of Texas
I just went through a nightmare with bacteria in my system. If you don't get rid of it all it will become your nightmare. There is a product that was used and flushed through the whole system. Bleach won't cut it. I had the water stabilizer that is made special for RV's. Long story short...12 hours was spent getting all the black out of my system. I run my generator and run cold water every month but the bacteria was in my hot lines. The bacteria actually solidified and you could see it and nothing would come out of the hot water tap.
Posted 2017-04-13 9:25 AM Subject: RE: LQ water tanks- Mildew
Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106 Location: North Dakota
Well water? If so, I would think your solution would work-BUT I would also run it through your pump a few times-drain and fill tank with a couple cups of bleach and half full of water. Without a little chlorine that is used in rural or municipal water your chances of mold increase when not used. Since your trailer is pretty new-the bleach and water should work (we generally recommend a 10% bleach solution)-but any place there could be a belly in a line you may want to put your eyes on it to make sure there isn't mold there too-running all your taps/faucets should help flush the bleach through-though I would run some through-let it set for a half hour or so and then run through again. Adding just a touch of bleach to your tank every time you fill it will help keep any residual down as well-but if you routinely clean those tanks you shouldn't have to do that especially since bleach can be hard on your pumps at a 10% solution.
Posted 2017-04-13 9:42 AM Subject: RE: LQ water tanks- Mildew
Don't Ask Me
Posts: 4077
i use our pool shock it- put 1 cup into a waterbottle with hot water to dilute.. fill tank. then run through the system-- pull out all filters & clean them. then i usually rinse out with just plain water second time. works great- got tip from our local rv dealership
LQ water tanks- Mildew
