Flushing water system

[Robski97]

Guys,
How do we get the stink of the non tox out of the water heater??
They left it full of the stuff all winter... I flushed it for over and hr the other day .... after water sits.... it still stinks....


Sucks


Rob

 

[190SigSeaRay]

Hmmmmm.

Unless marine systems are much different from RV systems, I'm not sure why the entire heater needs to be filled with anti-freeze. When I winterize my RV, I drain the water heater and then bypass it before adding antifreeze to the water lines. It saves on antifreeze and avoids the problem you're encountering. Even then, I can still taste a hint of antifreeze for about a month after I de-winterize.

One trick that I used on an older travel trailer I used to own(it was older and had a skanky taste to the water) was to add a box of baking soda to the fresh water tank as I filled it. I then ran the water for a bit, let it sit in the lines for 10 minues, and then did it over again about 6 times until I'd gone through a complete tank of water. It really cured the "bad taste" syndrome. The hardest past was finding a good way to funnel in the baking soda while I filled the fresh water tank........ :smt101

Paul

 

[Robski97]

Paul,
Im clueless as to why they did what they did.....

There is no non tox in the water tank only the waterheater...they simply drained the tank.. as i thought they did the heater....

someone said vinegar...... we dont drink the water... but washing the dish's wasnt happening.. i cant believe i ran all that water tru and it still smells.....

Rob

 

[Dave S]

Rob.........You may need to run something like bleach water thru your water system to get rid of the odor. I remember when we took delivery of our 260DA they were explaining to me how I might want to periodically clean out and purify the system using bleach. The problem is I don't remember what the ratio was of bleach to water but I do remember they said to let the bleach mixture sit over night and then flush the whole water system thoroughly the next day. There are also other chemicals and tablets you can buy at Marine Supply stores that will do the same thing. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.........maybe some one with more experience with this type of problem can offer some better information.

 

[thunderbird1]

We don't drink from our fresh water system, but I know a number of boaters who use Aqua Tabs.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/176780021.htm

-- Rapidly dissolving tablets instantly kills most contaminants
-- Prevents the growth of fungus, algae, and bacteria
-- One tablet treats 7 gallons, each box having enough tablets to treat 224 gallons
-- No after taste

 

[190SigSeaRay]

Just for my own information, do the water systems on the big boats have a hot water tank bypass wetup for winterizing?

Paul

 

[Sea Ray 300]

In the past, I've used about a half cup of bleach to a full tank, let it sit a couple of hours, and flush a couple of tankfuls with fresh water. It should do the trick...

 

[Robski97]

Thanx guys ill try it ...

Paul. they winterize tru the dockside connection. So no non tox goes into the tank.... would just be a waste of anti freeze to fill the tank .

Rob

 

[Alex F]

Thanx guys ill try it ...

Paul. they winterize tru the dockside connection. So no non tox goes into the tank.... would just be a waste of anti freeze to fill the tank .

Rob

Rob,
I use this method all the time after having antifreeze in my system for all winter long:

Sanitizing Fresh Water System
The fresh water system should be sanitized before initial use, after winter storage or when system has not been used for extended periods of time.
NOTE: The water tank must be empty before beginning the sanitizing process.
1. In an appropriate size bucket, make a solution of 1-1/4 cups (10 oz.) of household bleach and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water.
2. Dump water into water tank and allow treated water solution to remain in water tank for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Use faucet pump to bleed air from the fresh water line.
4. Drain treated water solution from the lines and empty tank.
5. Flush entire system with fresh water.
IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after each sanitizing process.
If fresh water has an excessive chlorine taste after sanitizing the system:
1. Pour a solution of 1 quart (approx. 1 liter) of vinegar and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water into tank.
2. Allow solution to stand in tank for several days.
3. Drain entire system and flush with fresh water.
IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after treatment.
Initial Start-Up
1. Sanitize the system as described above.
2. Fill the fresh water tank with drinking water.
3. Operate the faucet until a steady flow of water is visible.
4. Refill the tank to capacity if necessary.


Alex.

 

[rondds]

i'm done putting pink stuff into any tanks. i run the 100 gallon fresh water tank and the 11 gallon HWH dry (when the boat is in the water and level). then i drain the HWH from the petcock at the lowest point of that tank, then bypass it. i then put about 3 gallons of pink into a 5 gallon spackle bucket fitted with a hose bib, connect it directly to the input side of the fresh water pump and run pink thru the lines and out all faucets. done. much easier to get rid of the flavor of pink. if the yard is doing it for you, you'll probably have to bow to their preferences, unless you bypass the tank yourself. pretty easy to make up a pvc bypass U. two elbows, three straight pieces of 1/2" pvc and two pvc to 1/2" pipe thread adaptors.

 

[goblue]

Remember to go light on the bleach which can damage the seals on your head. Aquafresh is a good way to go. Just follow the instructions on the package. Then use your water all the time so the fresh water does not sit for more than 6-7 days and you will have good drinkable water without any chemicals if you have a good supply of clean water at the slip.