Sanitizing Your Camper Water System: A Step-By-Step Guide

Sanitising your camper water system is an important task, as it ensures the water is safe to drink, cook with, bathe in, and do the dishes with. It's recommended that you sanitise your water system at least twice a year, and more often if your water starts to taste or smell strange. To sanitise your water system, you'll need to turn off your water heater, drain all the water, add a diluted bleach mixture, refill the tank, and let the sanitising mixture sit for several hours before draining and rinsing the system.

Turn off the water heater and pump

Turning off the water heater and pump is the first step in sanitising your camper's water system. This is a crucial step to prevent any harm during the draining of the fresh water system.

To turn off your water heater, locate the water heater's outside electrical switch to the heating element and turn it off. If your water heater runs on propane, you can turn it off by locating and turning off the gas valve. If your water heater is a combination heater that runs on propane and electricity, make sure to turn off both propane and electricity supplies.

To turn off the water pump, locate the water pump switch, which is usually inside the camper near the control panel. Turn the switch to the "off" position.

Once the water heater and pump are turned off, you can proceed to the next step of bypassing the water heater. This involves closing the valves that allow water to flow into and out of the water heater.

It is important to note that you should never drain a water heater when it is hot or under pressure. Always let the water cool down and release any water pressure before draining the water heater.

By turning off the water heater and pump, you can safely sanitise your camper's water system, ensuring that your water supply is clean and safe for drinking, cooking, and other purposes during your camping trips.

Bypass the water heater and filter

To bypass the water heater and filter in your camper water system, you'll need to locate the valves that control the water flow to and from the water heater. Most RVs have a bypass system installed, but if yours doesn't, you can purchase a kit to install one yourself.

The process of bypassing the water heater involves redirecting the water flow to avoid filling the water heater tank. This is typically done when winterizing your RV to prevent water in the tank from freezing and causing damage.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to bypass the water heater and filter in your camper water system:

Locate the Bypass Valves:

Find the water heater tank, which usually has a water line at the bottom for cold water intake and a hot water line at the top that feeds your pipes. The bypass valves will be located on these water lines.

Determine the Type of Bypass System:

There are three types of bypass systems: one-valve, two-valve, and three-valve systems. Identify which type you have by counting the number of valves present.

Close the Valves to the Water Heater:

To bypass the water heater, you need to close the valves that control the water flow to and from the water heater. This will prevent water from entering the water heater and allow it to be drained.

For a one-valve system, turn the valve perpendicular to the water line. On a two-valve system, turn both valves parallel to the water line. For a three-valve system, turn the valves on the cold and hot water lines perpendicular to the line and turn the bypass valve parallel to the line.

Drain the Water Heater:

After bypassing the water heater, you can proceed to drain the water from the tank. Open the water heater drain valve and any other necessary valves, such as the relief valve, to ensure complete drainage. Make sure to let the water cool down before draining and never drain a water heater when it's under pressure.

Bypass the Onboard Water Filter:

If your RV has an onboard water filter, you'll also need to bypass it. If your system has a built-in bypass, simply close the valves before and after the filter. If there is no bypass, remove the water filter and attach a piece of flexible tubing between the connectors.

By following these steps, you will successfully bypass the water heater and filter in your camper water system. Remember to refer to the specific instructions for your RV model, as the bypass process may vary slightly between different manufacturers.

Drain the water system

Draining the water system is the first step in sanitizing your camper's water system. This is important to ensure the safety of your water supply. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Turn Off the Water Heater and Pump

Start by turning off both the water heater and the water pump. This is to avoid damaging either one while the fresh water system is empty. Do not forget to turn off the propane and electrical connections to the heater.

Bypass the Water Heater

Next, you will need to bypass the water heater as if you are winterizing the water system. Most RVs have a switch for this, but if yours does not, you can buy and install a kit. With the water heater in bypass mode, open the water heater plug to drain it completely.

To drain the water system, open the fresh tank drain, all low-point drains, and all faucets in the RV (keeping the water pump turned off). This will help to drain all the water lines and the fresh tank of water. If your RV has an on-demand water heater, consult the owner's manual before proceeding. Also, locate the low-point water drain lines and open them to let the water out.

Additionally, locate the drain for the fresh water holding tank and drain it. You can usually find the fresh water tank drain under the RV. Turn the water pump on for a few moments to force any remaining water out of the system.

Once all the water has been drained, close all the drains and faucets so that the tanks can hold water again. Now you are ready to begin sanitizing your camper's water system!

Create a bleach mixture and add to the tank

To create a bleach mixture to sanitise your camper water system, you'll need to start by working out how much bleach you need. This will depend on the size of your water tank. A good rule of thumb is to use a quarter of a cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of water your fresh water tank holds. So, for a 30-gallon tank, you'd use about half a cup of bleach.

Once you've calculated the right amount of bleach, add it to about a gallon of water. Using a funnel, pour this mixture into your freshwater tank. It's important to never add undiluted bleach directly to your water system, as this can damage seals, gaskets, and fittings in the plumbing.

After adding the bleach mixture, you'll need to fill the rest of the tank with potable water. This will help move the bleach solution into all parts of the tank, ensuring a thorough clean.

Turn on the pump and open faucets

Once you've added the sanitizing solution to your camper's water system, it's time to turn on the pump and open the faucets. This step is crucial to ensure that the sanitizing solution reaches all parts of your water system, including the pipes.

Start by turning on the water pump. Then, methodically work your way through the camper, opening each faucet one at a time. It's important to only open one faucet at a time to ensure that the sanitizing solution flows through each faucet adequately.

As you open each faucet, pay attention to the water that comes out. You'll know the sanitizing solution has reached a particular faucet when you start to smell bleach. Once you smell bleach, you can turn off that faucet and move on to the next one. Remember to open both hot and cold faucets, as you want to ensure that the sanitizing solution reaches all water outlets.

If you're sensitive to strong chemical smells, it's a good idea to open some windows and turn on your vents before turning on the faucets. This will help dissipate the bleach fumes, making the process more comfortable for you.

After you've opened all the faucets and ensured the sanitizing solution has run through them, you can turn off the pump. At this point, you're ready for the next step in the sanitization process, which is letting the sanitizing solution sit for several hours.

Frequently asked questions