Clean water supply

Youngbunch
Youngbunch Forum Participant Posts: 54
edited February 2018 in Motorhomes #1

we have a 2013 autotrail and tend to drain fresh water when not in use and then fill fresh when we go away. However, started to notice little bits of what looks like black rubber running into the sinks.

any suggestions what this is and how to treat this would Ben appreciated

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2018 #2

    Is it rubber or black gunge from the water system try filling tank and system with milton mixture leave over night   pump empty then flush through with water

  • KenofKent
    KenofKent Forum Participant Posts: 209
    100 Comments
    edited February 2018 #3

    This could be many things. Can you describe it any better? Does what looks like rubber globulise when captured in a glass? 

    Ken

  • Youngbunch
    Youngbunch Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited February 2018 #4

    Looks like rubber. I flushed the tank today and we are away in 2 weeks again so I’ll take a closer look and advise

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited February 2018 #5

    There is a view that Milton as a chlorine based product should never be used in the water system as pumping this through is likely to fill the boiler as well causing causing corrosion to stainless steel components. There are posts in other forums by people to whom this has happened and a boiler repair would be very expensive so why take the risk.

    There are numerous alternative sterilising products on the market on which a good caravan accessories shop will advise

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2018 #6

    It could be black slime from the water pipes, made up of a mixture of bacteria and algae.  When we stripped our faulty water pump we found smelly stuff inside, and then cut into the water pipe.  The slime smells absolutely foul, like a mixture of mould and faeces!!   When we saw this slime continued right up the pipe we stopped drinking water from the caravan system, and fill a bottle which we can see through, and which we can sterilise if necessary.

     

  • Youngbunch
    Youngbunch Forum Participant Posts: 54
    edited February 2018 #7

    After 2 nights away the flakes appeared briefly when the tap in toilet was run. Shower and kitchen sink showed no signs of any contamination

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
    500 Comments
    edited February 2018 #8

    I used Milton for many years without problems. It is vital to get the dilution right because neat or strong Milton can cause damage [not just the boiler] as BVM mentions. I'm on Puriclean powder now as it is easier to buy.

    One thing that is consistent is our commitment to cleaning the water system thoroughly at least once a year - both fresh and waste [different chemicals used] - from tank to tap to plug holes to waste pipe.

  • AngusPiloteCamper
    AngusPiloteCamper Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited February 2018 #9

    Hi, I had the same issue last year after winter storage and before 1st outing. The gunge from the taps tends to be a biofilm ( as mentioned by ValDa above) which coats the pipes and possibly the tank of not treated properly.

    I used Puriclean, running the made-up solution through the whole system, including the water heater and shower , toilet etc, then allowing it to sit for 24 hours. Drain and flush till clear and 'soapy' feel to water ( from Puriclean)  disappears - took 3 complete fills and flushes with fresh water to achieve this.

    Finally, dose a tankful with Elsil and run through.  This should preserve your system against bugs in the water system all year.

    The Romans used to put argentum i.e silver coins in their fountains to do the same job ! Good Luck

  • BlueVanMan
    BlueVanMan Forum Participant Posts: 382
    100 Comments
    edited February 2018 #10

    Yes I have used Puriclean since I started more than a decade ago. Clean at beginning and end of season and also after any big trip.

    Its much cheaper to buy the 400g tub although not everybody stocks it.

     

     

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