Sterilising water system...

[ChrisinSwansea]

Hi there,

I'm just reading the handbook for my new Bailey Pageant and it mentions sterilising the water system each time you use the caravan.

Do you guys and gals sterilise each time? Is it really required or are Bailey just being over safe?

Thanks very much,

Chris

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi Chris,

I think rather depends on often you use the caravan. If it is every weekend during the season, then a good clean at the beginning of the season is probably enough, But if you are only using once a month, then a seasonal clean may need to be subsidised by a quick 'Milton' wash through on each visit.

The other factor that may affect the need to clean is where you caravan, if it is UK sites with mains water then a start of seasonal clean, but if its sites with 'iffy' water then again a more frequent clean may be advisable.

Note If you have a filter in the system, that must be removed before sterilising, as the chlorine in Milton of or the like will destroy any active antibacterial elements in the filter.

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

Thanks John,

Appreciate the advice - just one more thing I hadn't considered when be bought our van. There's a lot to learn, eh?!

Chris

 

[ChrisUK]

I have read in a thread somewhere that the stanless steel water heaters do not like clorine based products, eg. milton. I have often used milton in the past but not longer. This year I have made do with flushing with tap water but this is not good enough really.

 

[Damian]

The only problem with Milton and such like strilisers is if the undiluted product comes into contact with stainless steel, then it can be quite aggressive.

However, if it is diluted as per the manufacturers recommendations then it is safe to use for the recommended time, ie, no longer than 2 hours, before thoroughly flushing with clean water.

 

[xtrailman]

I tend to tour every five weeks, weather depending, always sterilise both the water bottles and caravan.

I would advise even if you only weekend, to sterilize once a month, more often in very hot weather.

Just what i do, not set in stone.

Plus we never drink from the tap, use only water that has been boiled for drinks.