flushing water system

[Andrea_5108420]

I keep reading about flushing the water system through after the van not being used for the winter; how do I do this?

I have a 2000 Avondale Osprey (if that's important).

Thanks

Andrea

 

[BeemerMal]

Andrea....Not sure what everone else does but as I keep my van at home it is easier to prepare. Just before our first trip I quarter fill the aqua roll with a mild solution of water mixed with Milton baby bottle steralizer. I run this through the system and leave the system primed overnight. Then run through fresh water to clear out the solution mix.

Also, before I winter the van, I run a disinfectant solution into the waste water pipes, blocking off the exit route, so all the pipes are full of the solution up to the sink points. Again leave it overnight but don't forget to drain it out.

NB: we never use water from the system for drinks or veg prep. We prefer to carry a 5ltr bottle and fill it as necessary direct from the site mains water supply.

Also, if you have a crystal filter on your inlet it is always best to fit a new one at the start of the season.

 

[Oldfogey]

I use the sterilising fluid every time before we go away, and I have no quams about using the water for any purpose; I used to do the same thing on my boat, and have never had any problem.

Remember that most of the supermarkets do their own version of Milton, which will cost a lot less. If you check the ingredients you will see that it is identical.

 

[cooky1]

Same here. Sterilising solution in the aquarol and pumped through the system and left overnight then flushed out with fresh water, before every trip. I only do the cold water system and don't fill the copper hot water tank (older van) in case there is any reaction with the chemicals. I understand modern hot water tanks can also be flushed.

Remember to flush the shower head as well as this sometimes gets forgotten - especially if you do not use the shower.

I drink from the water in the van and have never had any problems.

I also flush all the drains with disinfectant, and leave

some in the waste container when it is in storage.

Graeme.

 

[Lol1]

All good advice so far especially about changing the taste filter if you have one. Most caravan dealers will sell you sterilization tablets/fluid for the job, just follow the instructions and hey presto. Do make sure you rinse the system well, by drawing lots of clean water through the pipes.

 

[Saladdodger]

I too pump Milton solution through the system both at the close and beginning of the season. We do use the water from the Aquaroll to make hot drinks and to cook with. Is this the norm or not?

 

[Oldfogey]

People use the water from the tap at home, from a system that has never been sterilized, and is usually not filtered, but won't use the caravan system, which is likely to be cleaner. I don't see it myself.

Just don't put more than a couple of days water in the tank, so it is regulalrly refreshed, and it is fine for any purpose.

 

[Wendy-Norfolk]

I have often wondered why you see people on site with seperate 5L containers, which then dissappear into the 'van. Now I know!! LOL

We flush our system a couple of times a year, drink and cook from the taps, never came to any harm, even before the days of filter systems.

 

[BeemerMal]

Ref my earlier comment regarding the point about we never use water from the system for drinks or veg prep. We prefer to carry a 5ltr bottle and fill it as necessary direct from the site mains water supply.

This came about after a problem encountered on a site a number of years ago and I agree most, if not all, sites water quality is as good (or as bad) as what we get at home.

I would like to qualify that we only use the bottled water for cold drinks, ice and for washing salad prep. Also, we caravan in Spain most years for 3 months and the water there is fine but it is usually de-salinated and has a slightly salty taste so we use bought bottled water for cold drinks etc.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I use the AquaRoll water for washing up, showering etc. but not for drinking. I confess I'm one who gets our drinking water in a separate container. My problem is the black mould. It's all very well using Milton to steralise the system, which we do, but it doesn't get rid of the mould under the sleeve that covers the pump pipe and electric cable. Once when after using the Milton and flushing it through I poured some water into a glass and seeing the black bits of mould floating in there put me off the idea of drinking it. That black mould is the same that you will find growing in damp, musty places and is well known to be toxic especially from the spores when breathed in. It is also known to cause allergies and releases chemicals into the water. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a health freak, far from it, but I'd rather not take the chance because it can have a long term affect.

For anyone who after using their washing machine notices black marks on their clothing this is the same mould. It grows on the rubber seals and in the soap dispensers. It will also grow in aquaria where theres insufficient light and is deadly to the fish.

I'm sorry if I've put anyone off from drinking the water from the taps but it's just not for me.

 

[Saladdodger]

Lord B....

What's all this about not drinking from taps? Who are you trying to fool? We know that you only drink the bubbly stuff from bottles....Ha Ha

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Lord B....

What's all this about not drinking from taps? Who are you trying to fool? We know that you only drink the bubbly stuff from bottles....Ha Ha

Hehheh! if only, if only ;O)

 

[Joyce_5063910]

If you use Milton or a similar product you may end up with a taste in the water and these products do not remove and scale build up from the tank or pipes.

As many bacteria live in the scale you would be better using a product called Kemdirect from Holland, as this cleans and descales at the same time and leaves no taste.

You can use in throughout your caravan in any of the water areas and even descale your kettle, shower head, dish washer etc at home so you get a good buy.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

I've just found the below ....

Moulds can be found anywhere that dark and dank conditions permit them to grow. When you try to kill them, they take to the air, spreading with no forethought to the damage they can cause. They're just trying to survive. And they're good at it.

Remember the story of the opening of King Tut's tomb? Mould was reportedly thick and pungent. The treasure hunters and labourers took ill after spending long days inside, and many died, but we now know it was not because the tomb was "cursed."

Only in the past decade have we begun to understand the potential health risks associated with exposure to mould contamination. Spores can be inhaled, absorbed through the skin or ingested with our food. And, because some people are more susceptible than others, one person may become debilitated by exposure to mould in a home, while another person sharing the same environment is essentially unaffected.

Infants, the elderly and anyone with immune system deficiencies due to disease, chemotherapy, etc. are particularly susceptible to serious illness following exposure to microbial contamination.

Many species of mould and mildew (or the mycotoxins they produce) can cause or aggravate a number of ailments. Common effects from moulds include asthma, pneumonitis, upper respiratory problems, sinusitis, dry cough, skin rashes, stomach upset, headaches, disorientation and bloody noses.

Infact, the elderly and anyone with immune system deficiencies are particularly susceptible.

Numerous species of mould and mildew are also toxic, and many mycotoxins are known carcinogens. Severe exposure can lead to internal bleeding, kidney and liver failure and pulmonary emphysema.