stinky water

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by cconnorrn

I've winterized by putting the antifreeze in the fresh tank for years. This year, on opening, I can't get the antifreeze sweet smell out of the hot water tank. I don't usually put antifreeze in there since I drain it. Got in by accident this year since I forgot to switch the bypass. I've drained the hot tank twice, and rinsed it out multiple times with fresh cold water through the drain plug opening using a small diameter hose. The water hasn't been pink since the first flush, but the smell will not go away, even after a week of camping, including about 14 showers. Any thoughts?

Usually our hot water has a sulfur smell, I think I'd welcome the antifreeze sweet smell ! LOL

Did you sanitize the fresh water system or just flush it?

[Metalman]

I no longer winterize the RV because we spend winters in FL. When living in NH I would put RV antifreeze in the holding tank and water heater. In the spring, after flushing the system with fresh water, the water would continue to froth for quite a while. I didn't notice much smell, but it was obvious that there was still antifreeze in the system. Since we don't drink the RV water, I wasn't concerned about the foam. Eventually the foaming went away. We use RV water for brushing our teeth, showing, and doing dishes. RV antifreeze is not poisonous and we are still healthy.

[Bob Denman]

Did it make your teeth whiter, and your breath fresher?

[Steve70605]

Originally Posted by cconnorrn

I've winterized by putting the antifreeze in the fresh tank for years. This year, on opening, I can't get the antifreeze sweet smell out of the hot water tank. I don't usually put antifreeze in there since I drain it. Got in by accident this year since I forgot to switch the bypass. I've drained the hot tank twice, and rinsed it out multiple times with fresh cold water through the drain plug opening using a small diameter hose. The water hasn't been pink since the first flush, but the smell will not go away, even after a week of camping, including about 14 showers. Any thoughts?

Sanitize if needed (1/4 cup bleach for 15 gallons). After flush, put in a box of baking soda in fresh tank and run through system. It will remove odors and taste.

FWIW

[Metalman]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Did it make your teeth whiter, and your breath fresher?

My teeth are now permanently stained a nice pink color, and when I breathe out, bubbles form in my nose.

[Bob Denman]

That can't be the look that you had been going for...

[cconnorrn]

I did sanitize the system. The water has not been foaming since the last flush I did about a week ago. The hot water still smells like antifreeze (which isn't a bad smell at all), but now that we've been on the road for 6 days, it appears to be getting a little less everyday.

I'm not letting that stuff get in my water heater again. In fact, it was an accident this past winter. Over the years, with multiple RV's, I've always just bypassed the tank and drained it. Even with the antifreeze in the rest of the system, I never had this problem until it got into the heater.

Thanks for all the input.