How to Unclog RV Water Lines

How To Unclog RV Water Lines ? [5 Simple Steps]

After a rough winter spring fills one’s heart with sheer joy. This calls for some camping trips in the sunshine. But your RV needs some maintenance work. Unclogging RV water lines must be one of the first things on your to-do list.

But, how to unclog rv water lines?

To unclog the RV water line, drain all of the water from the water heater. After that, you must locate the low point drains.

All of the water in the freshwater lines must be drained. After that, you should clean the holding tank. Finally, you need to flush the freshwater tank with bleach followed by clean water.

Easy right? Let’s check out the step-by-step guide on this topic that we have prepared for you!

5 Simple Steps to Unclog RV Water Lines

A clogged water pipe in an RV can be a major issue. It takes a bit of manual labor and some technical prowess to unclog it. It’s not that hard like removing the RV window screen. It’s one of the first things you should do while performing routine RV maintenance. 

The health hazards one can face for clogged water line is threatening.Yet, if you follow the easy actions outlined below, you can avoid this.

Step 1: Draining the Water Heater

The first thing you should do is turn off your water heater. To do this, first, locate the power switch of your water heater. Then turn off the power heater. After you’re done with this search for the drain plug. 

It is usually located near the lower left side. Once you’ve found it remove the drain plug. Finally, unlock the pressure release valve to start draining the water. 

Step 2: Pointing Out the Low Point Drains

The function of the low point drains is to drain out all freshwater lines. In general, these can be found at the bottom of the RV. Before moving on to the next phase, you must first locate them.

You should also consult the manufacturer’s user manual. They are often pointed out in the instruction manual. They’re located at the lowest point of your RV’s water system. 

Locating them is as easy as keeping the RV door open. Some of the RVs have two low points, for hot and cold water. While others may have three separate low points. 

Unlock the lines once you’ve found them. The draining process will begin as a result of this. While the water is draining open the faucets located in the sink and washroom. 

Also, flush the toilet to increase the effectiveness of the draining process. This will sanction the utmost drainage of water. Once the water stops draining close up the lines.

Step 3: Cleaning the Holding Tank

After you’ve drained all the freshwater lines, open the drinking water hold tank. You should drain all of the water from the tank and then empty it. If there’s a bit of remaining water, run the pump. This will force out all the residual water. 

But there is a catch! Make sure you don’t keep the pump operating after draining is complete. Otherwise, your motor might stop working and burn out.

Step 4: Flushing the Fresh Water Tank with Bleach

After cleaning the holding tank, close the valves. The next action is to use a bleach solution to flush your freshwater tank. A bleach water solution is needed to do this task. Approximately half of a cup of bleach is needed to mix with 30 gallons of water.

Both of them will work perfectly to achieve your desired result.

Now, fill the fresh water tank with clean water and mentioned amount of bleach. You must be using the best faucets in your sink, washroom, or kitchen. So, next turn them all on. If there is an outdoor shower, turn that on as well. 

Keep them on till you notice the smell of bleach. This will make sure the bleach has traveled through your water line.

Finally, close all the faucets and let your RV sit overnight. The Bleach-water solution should be kept inside the water lines for approximately 12-15 hours.

Step 5: Flushing the Fresh Water Tank with Clean Water

Finally, we’ve arrived at the last task. Here you need to drain out all the bleach water solution from the tank. 

To turn on all of the faucets, use the same procedure. Turn on all the faucets situated in your sink, washroom, kitchen. Turn on the outside shower too, if you have one. 

This way empty the whole freshwater tank. It should be cleaned like the glass cleaned with the best rubber seal conditioner

Fill the tank with clean water once it is emptied. Then turn on all the faucets of your RV, as you did before. You need to keep the water running until the water coming out is odor-free. 

Voila! Your RV water line will be back to its prime. It will function like there was no problem at all.

FAQs

Question: How do I get rid of calcium in my RV water lines?

Answer: The obvious answer is by vinegar treatment. RV experts say that you should pump a vinegar-water solution into the RV water system. You must let it sit overnight. The solution should be made at 1:1 water to white vinegar proportion.

Question: How can I remove calcium from my water tank?

Answer: Vinegar or Lye is the most useful chemical to get rid of calcium. To do this, drain all of the water in your tank, mix a vinegar-water solution and let it sit. Then flush it with clean water.

Question: Is hard water fatal for my kidneys?

Answer: If you consume hard water for a long time, it can create kidney problems. This, in turn, may cause diabetes, kidney failure, cerebrovascular disease, and much more. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Bottom Line

With that, we’ve come to an end of our conversation. That was How To Unclog Rv Water Lines in a step-by-step manner. Hopefully, we could help you with your problem. If you have any further inquiry please let us know down below.

Stay safe and happy RV-ing!

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