However, one part of the RV that is not given the attention it deserves remains the water tank. An average RV would have about three tanks; one for the drinking or cooking water (freshwater tank), another that holds water from sinks (grey tank) and a final one that takes up everything you flush down your toilet (black tank). To prevent odours from building up, you need to take good care of these tanks. Here are a few tips.
Go for non-toxic hoses
Your first step is to go for a non-toxic hose. Getting a white one would be even better as you can be assured that no colours would get in your water system when the temperatures rise. Avoid PVC and go for rubber hoses, as PVC pipes release harmful toxins such as lead.
Sanitise your tank
Before taking your RV out of storage every spring, sanitising should be the first option on your to-do list. The moisture in the RV tank may have attracted bacteria and gotten contaminated. Sanitisation is also important if you notice particular odours or stale water.
The process is not so complicated. All you need to do is first drain the water heater. Next, find the drain plug and open the valve. Remember not to drain the heater when under pressure or hot, or you'll risk scalding injuries. Afterwards, locate the lowest cold and hot water line pipes and let the water drain. Add some bleach and pour it into the freshwater tank then fill the tank with water. You could turn on the pump or move the RV around to facilitate in cleaning the whole tank. After a few hours, open the faucets and drain the water. Air the tanks until you don't smell any bleach.
Avoid opening the tank valve
If you're on a campsite, one of the most important things is hooking up your black tank to the sewage connector at the site. However, avoid keeping the valve open until the tank is full. You shouldn't simply drain off the sewage from your tank at all times as you risk getting rid of all the water. The final result would be nasty solid wastes left in your tank, and you'll have to pay handsomely for a pressure cleaning job. To avoid the headache, keep your valve closed. Only open the valve once the tank is full, and you want to drain it of all its contents.
For more information on water tanks, talk to a professional.