Sanitizing your RV water systems // Summerizing your RV

[@rss021815]

These are great. One source I can trust instead of everybody with an RV, camera, and opinion!!

[@matthewpetersen3517]

Thanks Todd. Great tips. The other thing you added, by putting the bleach in the hose, and then connecting to your RV and filling it, you are basically cleaning the hose from the winter. Another benefit from Todd's Two Minute Tech Tip FAT Tuesday

[@Deanawat]

As a nurse, I greatly respect the Power of Bleach but abhor the overuse! Most people Do Not follow the MSD recommendations. Thanks so much for talking about its caustic properties and Not using it in septic systems etc. Now, if women would just see your vlog. Hubby and I were "discussing" 😉 using it. I told him 'no way did I want it used in anything I might drink or bathe in.' He said watch this flog and then we'll talk. He may have converted me thru you❣️

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Well said!

[@tamo9520]

You may be a nurse, but know this. Food & Beverage establishments have been using bleach for years to sanitize their equipment. Now as time has advanced, yes, they have manufactured sanitizers recommended, but if they run out, bleach water is the back-up until new supplies arrive.

[@luvRVing]

Freaking hilarious!!! This is the first and last resource I needed to access when I went looking for the ratio to use!!! He's a master tech and knows his $hit!!! Much respect!

[@COMtnPilot]

“Add the bleach to the hose” - SIMPLY … BRILLIANT! 😎

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

☝thanks

[@michaelcastner220]

I loved the NPT comments.

[@uberpain1]

Great Tip filling the hose with bleach. Was on my mind this spring how to do the water lines! Plus love you shutting down the Trolls!

[@Tom.and.Missy.Northam]

Great job. Thanks. Love the jab at the critics.

[@chucklane1338]

Thanks Todd for the great video on simple method of sanitizing. I love the idea of pouring 5he bleach into the fill hose before inserting and turning on the 💧. Great Job and thank you for always including the humor. Take care, Chuck

[@kathleenrutherford733]

I agree

[@royh729]

Thanks Todd for the "FREE" tech tip... Hey Get Off Todd's back... Keep them coming Todd. I do the bleach ratio each year in the fresh tank then once the water lines are flushed of the rv antifreeze can you sanitize those with a vinegar and water mixture?

[@mrzif0013]

You are not stupid at all but I thought to mention to pump the sanitized water and through system. Maybe put the word "summer-ize" in air quotes. Still the best out there.. My go to channel.

[@dskoi7358]

The EM-phA-SIS on the wrong sy-LAB-ble. Awesome!

[@sifilmaker]

We don't drink the water from our tank system or from the RV lines. I do fill the fresh water tank and use it for washing though. Bleach works great. tks for the tips.. as always great videos.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Thanks for sharing

[@sherrymattingly4309]

Howdy, Do you have to put the water heater in bypass before sanitizing the fresh tank and lines? I know you said to bypass when you add vinegar to sanitize the hot water tank. REally appreciate you helping everyone figure out how to do or what to look for. Thanks!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

You really should bypass the water heater when sanitizing the fresh water lines. Then sanitize your water heater.

[@michaelwroblewski8091]

Will it hurt, not, to bypass water heater?

[@anoceanbetweenus89]

@@michaelwroblewski8091I’m by no means an expert, quite the contrary, but I’m guessing it’s best to bypass when using bleach since it is caustic and you want to avoid causing any damage to your water heater.

[@abrad3061]

How do you unstick the fresh water tank float

[@walescan2514]

Thanks I have a class c after filling the holding tank am I supposed to put the water from the holding tanks into the taps etc

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Yes. run it through the pump to the faucets

[@usedtobered6816]

Hi Todd. It seems that all of the videos deal with the on-board water system. We never use the tank for water, we only use city water. I'm trying to find out how to sanitize my water lines connecting to city water - or does the on-board tank use the same lines?

[@lizc731]

Thank you for this. We are new to all this. We cannot find a freshwater inlet anywhere for our freshwater tank in our truck camper. Perhaps there isnt one and we should just bring our hose into the camper and just unscrew the lid off our freshwater tank, stick the hose in, and fill up the freshwater tank directly?? Also, the tank has a short hose with a valve we can open or close, which goes down into a hole in the bottom of the area the freshwater tank is located. We are not sure where that would drain, however, as it is not obvious from the inside or outside of the camper. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️any help would be much appreciated as we would really like to sanitize and then use our freshwater tank!

[@DebbySmith-w6n]

What filtration system do you recommend and what softner??

[@mattkaminski6618]

There are some sources that recommend hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach. One source stated to use 4~6oz into your tank to sanitize (although, I didn't hear on a ratio to water mix). I just don't think that that little hydrogen peroxide to a 50 gallon water tank is going to do much. Is hydrogen peroxide another option? If so, what type of hydrogen peroxide (percentage in the bottle, eg the brown bottles in the pharmacy or the hydrogen peroxide in the beauty supply center) and what percentage/ratio to gallons? How long would you need to let it sit to fully sanitize the system? Fantastic tech tips! Y'alls videos are great.

[@33atomlinson]

How about those of us that don't ever use the fresh water tank, and just city water hook ups all the time? How do you recommend we sanitize the lines in that case?

[@CYOTsNiper]

Should you run the solution into your plumbing as well and flush it out while flushing your fresh water tank?

[@RanchoTexano]

Love it! Great content and so genuine!

[@Cla55clown]

What about the valves on my Nautilus system...what should they be turned to? I have settings for dry camping, winterize, and sanitize. Please advise 🙏

[@guyaustin9]

Good video brother. Keep them coming

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Thanks! Will do!

[@Bhatia423]

Where is the holding tank? Sorry new to rving

[@carlbridgeforth3651]

thanks i got to do something i see brown in my dogs water dish but iam on city water all the time

[@RGDancinMachine]

Should it be ran through the faucets too?

[@lenharding72]

Thanks for the tip. I had not been letting it sit. I would fill and then rinse right after. Should you fill the tank with the bleach water and run it into the line and let it sit, or just have it sit in the tank?

[@ez123ification]

There you have it selaables 👍😎👍

[@Jays1ndone]

Love the tech tips and out takes….ignore the naysaying trolls

[@robertmitchell1865]

I own a 2023 GD MOMENTUM and cannot dump the fresh water tank to the ground in the RV park. How may I attach a hose to the 2 1/2" drain valve?

[@Calberta_s]

Question, what if you only ever hook up to city water? I've never had water in my holding tank. How do you sanitize then? What would the procedure be for that?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

If you knew how many gallons of water you have in your water lines then you could calculate how much bleach to use. It would probably be easier to just sanitize based off of your holding tanks and fill it up. then run your pump until you smell bleach in all your lines. Even if you haven't used the tank it would be helpful to just clean it every once in a while.

[@Calberta_s]

Appreciate the reply, thanks

[@kathleenrutherford733]

Thank You so much, I truly appreciate you

[@LauraGarcia-vv1wz]

Thank you

[@christinebattin657]

Hello! Using the hose, the water comes back out as I put the water/bleach solution in the holding tank. Any suggestions? Thanks for your short educational videos!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

It really depends on the water system that you have. if you have a nautilus system make sure your settings are set to sanitize. if you have a gravity fed system then there could be a bad check valve and or an obstruction.

[@mikec8123]

What about the water lines?

[@merlin22light11]

How often do you clean the lines when your living in the rv?

[@johnr5545]

Nice nice job God bless

[@NelsonMartin-n9h]

Could you address why the suction hose from the fresh water tank is so high off the bottom? There’s about six gallons of water left in the tank when the water pump starts sucking air. That’s a lot of useless water to lug around. A 60 gallon tank only has 54 gallons that you can actually use.

[@rockpadstudios]

That is such a great idea -

[@JayCTV100]

Should I sanitize my hot heater first before sanitizing by fresh water? I have 2010 Coachmen Freelander class C RV. It has three settings fresh water tank fill, black tank clean and winterize. Should I use both winterize and tank fill to sanitize my lines and tank? I watch your three videos and really enjoyed them. When you santize the water heater do I turn of the lines to bypass? Thank you.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Sanitizing your water lines and fresh water holding tanks should be done at least annually unless you RV fulltime. I would sanitize the hot water tank separately from the water lines. Just bypass the hot water tanks and sanitize it, we love using the vinegar mixture to get all that calcium buildup out of that hot water tank.

[@thomasrelyea5691]

NPT actually stands for national pipe taper, referring to the tapered thread that seals as it tightens. There is NPSM which is national pipe straight mechanical, the thread is the same pitch and threads per inch. NPT is used on piping systems that are designed to not leak, NPSM is used for conduit piping.

[@rodduncan1174]

Thanks Todd I love your tech tips. Here's my question I hear people say you can bullet proof your roof by applying Eternabond tape to all your seams over the lap sealant and on the edges of the roof membrane. I like the idea but it seems to me if you ever have to replace the bathroom fan or a skylight this would be a real pain. I see a place for Eternbond if you hit a tree and get a tear as a temporary solution and maybe permanent depending on the situation. But is it a good idea to cover every seam on the roof? Thanks,

[@TheHungryCubanAdventures]

If we are moving out from the RV fir a weekend. will it hurt anything to leave the bleach in the tank fir three days? .

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

As long as you follow the 50ppm it should be fine

[@TheHungryCubanAdventures]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy gracias amigo. Juan 😁

[@toddg104]

Question Todd, how to sanitize your motorhome with an aqua hot system? I don’t think I have a bypass for the aqua hot system. Will the bleach hurt/damage the aqua hot system?

[@dongemus]

How do you know when you have 50 gallons?

[@barefooter64S]

Do you know if this technique is effective against bio-film forming bacteria like Mycobacterium?

[@arturoherrera8034]

Hi Todd thanks for the tips. I have a situation can you help?. My travel trailer came with a Suburban ST-60 tankless water heater and it doesn't have a bypass valve system. Do my tankless water heater needs the bypass valve system in order to be sanitize the water system with bleach? Can you share your knowledge. Thanks in advance.

[@AdventureswithP.C.Wabash6057]

Just in time. headed to Fla in a few days

[@turfguy420]

Good info Thanks bro!

[@mikeehrhart9488]

great video

[@kevindubreuil7012]

hi todd , i know this vidio does not cover what i ask but , i have not see or find how to test gray water sensors. the panel shows empty all the time even when i knowit is full(over full) how do i test panel and or sensors. thanks for any help.

[@bobabooie6389]

I just had that problem. two of the wires above the empty sensor on the tank were broken. I wired them back together and now it works great. I had some mice under there that chewed the wires 👍🇺🇲

[@pandachickenmama]

I wonder if using a sanitizer that home brewers use to clean their equipment would be effective for those concerned about the bleach. There are several types available, one is even a no-rinse variety. Just a thought.

[@chadtucker3229]

I wouldn’t want to use the foaming stuff I have used back in the day for home brewing.

[@brendaanthonyrealestateage3233]

Thanks

[@GF-ph1jp]

Question: is it correct to assume that since the hot water heater has been cleaned and sanitized with vinegar already, that it remains in bypass mode during this procedure?

[@DP-np5mm]

I'm assuming that is the case but I'm a complete newbie to all this.

[@RGDancinMachine]

I would think you don’t need to run it through the hot water tank due to the hot water will kill the bacteria but I’m not sure about that either.

[@mikedietz8246]

I have a Grand Design Reflection 5th whl. Once I fill the tank with bleach water and after 12 hours can I use the holding tank dump/release valve and the low water dump tube to drain. Then fill back up and drain the lines? Or do I need to use the pump to drain the holding tank. Thanks for all the twi minute tips. There GREAT

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Drain the water storage tank and connected piping to the ground away from plants-not into a septic system (which can kill the necessary “good bacteria”), stream, or pond. This may kill fish and plant life. It may also be illegal, so be sure to check local and state regulations. Ideally, the chlorinated wastewater should be legally disposed into a sewer network. Refill the cleaned and disinfected tank with potable water. Next, open the valve to distribution lines and run water from the taps until there is no smell of chlorine. Now you can enjoy safe water from your cleaned and disinfected water storage tanks.

[@ganymede33]

Excellent advice.

[@nickwaters8759]

I live in Arizona where I don’t need to winterize my toy hauler. I just got it a few months ago. Do I still need to sanitize my fresh water tank? If so, does the interval change since I’m not winterizing?

[@rugerp9736]

this guy is great!!!!

[@calvinchristensen4949]

Should you run it through all your lines and pump too?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Yes but I was on minute 3 already.

[@Frank-the-Tank-13]

Is it ok to bleach into hot water tank with tank off.

[@thomtea1961]

Hey! Mixing up your words are common after a nasty Head wound like that!

[@furbiedoggie]

Todd Help ! I screwed up and put my new Anode in WITHOUT TAPE AND WITH MY IMPACT DRILL ! Now I can't get anode out to drain or replace ! Even though I bought the specific wrench and socket for this I got in a hurry and forgot to use. First time out by the way. How can I get Anode out and how much damage have I caused ?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Outs! So a cheater bar and a six sided 1 1/16 socket, 3” extension. And some prayers. Back it out manually with the socket and cheater bar. You will not know the damage til you get it out. Damage will be located at the threads.

[@furbiedoggie]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy Thanks Todd

[@RVingwithG]

Do you have or are there any Grants to help pay for your schooling???

[@RVingwithG]

I could be down there in a a month if I could only get some help paying for these classes.

[@tomgaluski4605]

Good evening from Charlotte NC

[@THESTARKFAMILY]

No there is not

[@canadiantwig4772]

We're waiting for the GI Bill to be accepted. :) crossing our fingers the government will finish what they need to.

[@RVingwithG]

​ @xKEEPINITGX Is that a Hard fact, or that you have not found any?

[@alanaalexander9126]

Im allergic to Chlorine bleach...any other options to clean tanks? Or..can it be 100% flushed from system? Planning for extreme filtration system fo fill ups too.

[@camillevictour3009]

Maybe alcohol would work? I wouldn’t know what ratio though.

[@camillevictour3009]

If you have a brand new RV that no one has used yet, would you still need 12 hours to sanitize? I know when I use bleach to sanitize things in my home kitchen or bath it only takes a few minutes to get rid of any thing ugly. So 12 hours seems like a long time to have something caustic like bleach in a delicate RV plumbing system. I could see four hours needed to get rid of any mildew that had grown in the tank over the winter after last year‘s use.

[@jamesmurray9333]

Todd, Wife and I are full-time rvers, I sanitized our water system with bleach. I then added a water filter and a UV sanitizer. Do I need to sanitize my system annually?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Up to you on how often you sanitize. I drank out of a water hose growing up. But now I know better. ;)

[@jamesmurray9333]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy i did to when younger. Thanks

[@jpowler]

Can you dump the bleach concentration on the ground? Will it harm grass?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Drain the water storage tank and connected piping to the ground away from plants-not into a septic system (which can kill the necessary “good bacteria”), stream, or pond. This may kill fish and plant life. It may also be illegal, so be sure to check local and state regulations. Ideally, the chlorinated wastewater should be legally disposed into a sewer network. Refill the cleaned and disinfected tank with potable water. Next, open the valve to distribution lines and run water from the taps until there is no smell of chlorine. Now you can enjoy safe water from your cleaned and disinfected water storage tanks.

[@brianvandy4002]

Are you just sanitizing the tank or do you want to run it into the lines and water heater before letting it sit overnight?

[@camillevictour3009]

I think you’re on the right track here -seems to me the plumbing lines need to be sanitized well too.

[@robh063]

How do you sanitize the actual water lines?

[@johnhines3591]

Turn on pump. Run water to each faucet till,you smell bleach. Let it sit. When you flush tank, flush lines.

[@robh063]

@@johnhines3591 Thank you.

[@gregoryjordan6522]

I have a question. You say fill up tank, 1 cup bleach for 50 gallons and you let it sit for 8 hours....At that time of the video a graphic comes up and says run the water through the faucets until you smell bleach. The question is, when do you run the bleach water through the faucets? Before you let it sit in the tank for 8 hours or after the 8 hours?

[@Joe26003]

When I fill my tank with the bleached water, I will run it thru the system where water comes out. Bypass the hot water heater first. Run the faucets, outdoor shower, toilet until you smell the bleachy water. Then let it sit. Afterwards I will run as much as I can into the black and gray tanks. Lit it sit for a an hour or two. The drain the rest from the water tank. Fill it up again to flush every thing. Dump the water. Go to the RV dump and empty the tanks!

[@brianvandy4002]

And is it a water heater or a hot water heater...? I mean, why would you heat hot water?

[@ronnie3233]

Do you have to bypass your hot water tank?

[@timbarker4189]

I recommend bypassing water heater during this process. I don’t think bleach in the water heater would be good idea

[@whatdoyouthinktodd]

Your a Todd and your not stupid I know I'm a Todd😊😅🤣Don't use the low splash bleach it takes way too long to mix with the water. The smile of bleach will be in the water for tanks of water used. Ask me how I know. I had to rinse out my water tank 9 times. Also if you use a water filler you know the big ones that hold two or three filters the piping needs to be sanitized before being used...The bleach in the hose thing "NICE"

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

great tip. thanks for sharing.

[@theodorehyatt1782]

Why wouldn't you run some of the water though the sinks and shower but don't use bleach with tankless water heater you need to use HP

[@timhermann6726]

I was just watching a video about SANITIZING you rv water system. They said DO NOT USE BLEACH.. Of course they were selling a product. But they said manufacturers do not recommend bleach. it can harm hoses and fitting and things in the water system. SO.. IS THIS TRUE ??? WHAT SHOULD I USE ????

[@deschari]

He says within the first minute 😂

[@bobabooie6389]

Should you bypass your water heater? You don't want bleach going through the water heater, do you?👍🇺🇲

[@canadiantwig4772]

Lol 😆 so true, get off people 🤣 love your tips!

[@anthonytravis1420]

Why is the 2 minute tuesday 4 minutes long?

[@blackwolf3414]

👍👍💯💯⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

👍

[@brianschindler1511]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@rsmartin68]

I cheat. At home I have well water, no chlorine. Campgrounds in my state, others too I'm sure, are required to add chlorine to public drinking water. Most get it right and you don't notice it, one nearby campground however is notorious for over chlorinating. It's always my first trip of the season and also the reason I use the inline filter on my hose, but only use the filter after I have flushed the trailer's lines and the fresh tank.

[@johnpinkston847]

Great info Todd!! Refresher on using food grade hydrogen peri oxide vs bleach to sanitize tank and lines? How much is recommended?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

So you can buy the regular 3% hydrogen peroxide by the gallon for less than $4. So you would not dilute it so 6-10 gallons of that with no water.

[@kcjk5807]

Smart

[@andythompson7725]

It's not hard to do. I can do my Class A in about an hour. It's easier (less time) with help! I stopped using antifreeze!

[@shannonpayne904]

Not sure if anyone answered this question, but when you are dumping the bleach water out, where is the best place to dump it? I don’t want to just dump it in my driveway or yard I guess. I do have dogs and that concerns me.

[@carolmaplesden916]

gee Shannon where do you usually dump your grey water

[@davidpatrick1813]

Too many "cute" things ... being a technician it distracts. Just trying to help.

[@walescan2514]

Sorry to waste your time.I see you answered my question thanks

[@kingpickle3712]

If you can't figure out how to put bleach into your RV tank then you need to just not own one.

[@borisk4444]

😂😅😂😅❤ love the vibes, thank you.