was just working on the old rv and was curious if anyone could suggest the best way of cleaning out a water tank that has been sitting for three years empty. I was thinking of flushing it with a mild bleach solution, any other useful ways anyone has done it!
There are a few different tank sanitizers on the market,bleach does fine ,remember to run through all faucets ,both hot and cold-let sit a few hours then flush all lines.The hot water tank should be drained and flushed,check anode also.You will need to fill and drain and run through the faucets a couple of times to really get rid of the bleach smell.
Yes, regular bleach will do the job. For sanitizing freshwater tanks, the standard proportion is 1/4 cup per 15 gallons of tank capacity. Run it through all the plumbing as Mike said, and let it stand several hours or overnight before draining and flushing.
I always store ( NOT OVER WINTER ) My tanks with this solution and it keeps them clean till next use.
Start with an empty tank.
Fill tank half full with clean water.
Make a mixture (pail full) of hot water with:
* 2 cups BORAX*
* 1 cup laundry detergent, powder
* 1 cup household bleach
* 1 cup Salt
* 1/2 cup TSP or TSP Substitute
* 1/2 cup DAWN Dishwash detergent (DAWN only)
Dissolve well and pour mixture into black water tank.
Drive Rv to slosh mixture around in tank and let sit until RV trip starts.
Just prior to departure, add 4 bags of ice cubes.
At arrival at campsite, after several hours of driving, dump content.
Refill tank with clean water, once or twice, and flush (dump) each time.
Sensor operation should now be restored to new condition.
Never leave tank empty during storage; Fill at least 1/4 full with clean water and a dose of RV deodorant, to prevent dry-out.
Note: This mixture is relatively eco-friendly and non-fuming.
Note: The same may done with Grey Water Tank, except Ice cubes.
* Borax is a water softener - ph 8.0, and cleaner.
This mixture is designed to break down any cellulose material and other material attached to or in the vicinity of the electrodes/sensors.
If water is kept in the tank at all times, moisture will prevent hardening of this material on the walls of the tank,(especially during long term storage), a major cause of sensor sensitivity failure.
TSP, trisodium phosphate, is a cleaner often available at stores that sell paint and wallpaper. IIRC, it's the main ingredient in Spic N Span.
FYI, that formula is the most complicated on I've ever seen in all my years on these boards. I can't imagine why it's necessary or advisable to use 3 kinds of detergents, nor the quantities listed. Most owners would use (1) a cupful of Lysol, (2) some dishwasher detergent, which has the advantage of being non-sudsing; OR (3) water softener and detergent, known as the Geo method.
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