How to clean RV hot water tank

[Frank64]

I have a 3791rd (19th anniversary) 5’er. The hot water tank has never been sanitized. I have replaced the anode rod on many occasions, however, I retain the “ rotten egg” smell.. what is the recommended treatment to clean tank and get rid of the smell? I’m thinking drain lines and tank completely, then add a half gallon of Clorox to hot water tank not using the by pass, then finish filling the hw tank up., then fill the water lines up let system sit for 15 minutes, then empty water tank and lines then fill w fresh water
Also I was wondering if apple cider vinegar is better
Thanks

[DutchmenSport]

Before doing that, you need to flush your tank and get the sediment off the bottom. Pick up a water heater wand and flush the tank and get all that sediment out.

Click here for the cheaper one .... Here's one a little more stout: Click here.

If you flush the sediment out of the bottom, chances are your problem will be solved and you'll have no need to use bleach or vinegar.

Several YouTube videos talk about using vinegar. But simply flushing all the flakey stuff off the bottom of your tank will do wonders!

[Frank64]

I forgot to mention I flushed out tank with wand, removed a lot of sediment and debris when doing so. Replaced anode rod with magnesium rod wid aluminum core. The first day every thing worked grrat smell was gone. It’s been almost a week and the smell is back. I checked with my neighbors and they have no issues.

[Frank64]

I thought about vinegar Clorox effects my breathing sometimes

[Frank64]

I mentioned Apple Cider vinegar earlier, I meant White vinegar

[Daryles]

Sanitize your entire system. Make sure you do the washer pipes, especially if you don't have a washer. Stale water in those pipes will re-contaminate your system.
I put shut off valves in the basement on ours.

[Frank64]

Good idea. I don’t have a washer. . I like the suggestion of putting cut off valves in these lines.
I’ll drain system install cutoff valves then sanitize.
Thanks

[steiny93]

agree with the above suggestion to sanitize the entire system

make sure to run the sanitized water (water with bleach or whatever you are using) through all the pipes

In the above you stated "1/2 gallon to the tank"; that's a lot of bleach; you may want to back off from that amount. Typical suggestion is 1/4 cup to 16 gallons.

[Daryles]

When I sanitize our rig, I drain the water heater and freshwater tank first.
I put 1 cup of bleach into the hose and connect it to the freshwater fill port.
I fill the entire freshwater tank until it comes out the overflow vent.
Turn on the water pump and fill the water heater. You will have to open the pressure relief valve to get the air out. Turn on each faucet hot and cold (including the washing machine faucets, and outside shower faucets) one by one until you smell bleach. Turn off all faucets.
Top off the freshwater tank.
Let it sit for 24 hours.
Drain and flush out the system until you don't smell any bleach.
Usually it takes 3 freshwater tank refills to get rid of the bleach smell.

[Frank64]

Appreciate the step by step process. I will try and follow this along with installing the cut off valves to my washer

Thanks

[DutchmenSport]

Before we had the washing machine installed, I winterized the washer lines by connecting a short garden hose to the hook-up (hot and cold) and simply turned the valve at the hook-up. I caught the water and antifreeze in a bucket. Once it started flowing pink I turned off the faucets. When I unwinterized and then sanatized, I did the same thing with those washer hook-up. Never had an issue that way.

Later, we did get a washing machine and dryer. Then I had to learn how to deal with that. But, all good now. It's part of the routine now.

So, you could sanitize those line by hooking up a simple garden hose and let the other end drain outside the camper (if you don't have a short one). Then you won't have to do the valve cut off plumbing right away.

[Frank64]

Dutchmen Sport
I usually do these two steps when winterizing and de winterizing. Just a few weeks after flushing the water lines, the smell returns.
After sanitizing the water system, I’m looking for a more efficient solution. Hopefully the cutoff valves will help.

[Kyle and Lisa]

The mag. rod is better than the alum., it is more forgiving, remove and replace heating element as well when flushing tank.

[Kyle and Lisa]

Originally Posted by Kyle and Lisa

The mag. rod is better than the alum., it is more forgiving, remove and replace heating element as well when flushing tank.

You can get it at Lowes along with the "special socket/tool" to remove and install.

[Frank64]

I just replaced the anode rod and the smell will linger. Therefore I plan on sanitizing the system

[rohrmann]

This is copied from the Suburban manual:


ODOR FROM HOT WATER SYSTEM
Odor from the hot water system is not a service problem and many water supplies contain sufficient amounts of sulphur to produce an odor. The odor is similar to rotten eggs and is often referred to as "sulphur water". It is not harmful - only unpleasant to smell. Sulphur water can be caused by a chemical action or by bacteria. The solution to eliminate is chlorination of the water system. Add about six (6) ounces of chlorinated common household liquid bleach to each 10 gallons in the water tank. Then run the chlorinated water throughout the system, opening each faucet one at a time until you smell the chlorine. Let the RV sit for a few days and the chlorine should take care of the problem. Then you will need to take care of the chlorine. Remove the chlorine by flushing the system with fresh water. This may take several attempts. You may consider adding a filtering system that removes chlorine and prevents sulphur water. If the sulphur or rotten egg smell continues, flush the system once again as described above and replace anode rod as necessary.

[Frank64]

Lots of good points and helpful steps
Thanks