Tainted water

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Tainted water

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Maybe posting in the area, sorry if I am, I am wondering if there is a "treatment" for the hot water service in the MH, the fresh water tank as full and clear when we draw water through the cold tap it is fine but when we draw water through the hot side it has a tainted maybe metallic odour and taste. It makes no difference if the the hot water system is running or not.

Any ideas, suggestions or similar experience would help, the hot water is not only not fit for drinking but also because of the smell we cant use it for washing dishes either.

Sorry I can not find a brand on the the HWS but it is a gas unit that stores water, ( not instant).

thanks in advance

Baz421 · Guru

Check your anode (if it has one), drain the tank and look for any sludge.

Add heaps of salt to the water and run through the HWS, and then flush everything to remove the salt.

I use this for tanks in the back of my ute and it works OK.

03_troopy · Guru

I've been told that it isn't a good idea to drink water from a hot water system unless it's one of those types that are specifically for that use. ie in caffeterias. The smell and taste could be from a rusted tank maybe. Is it brownish when it comes out?

herbie · Guru

What type of hose do you fill your tank with ? If it is the common domestic garden hose maybe this is your problem, but if not maybe try this method empty tank and then add one lge bottle of vanilla essence and a bucket of very hot water into the holding tank, leave over night then flush out and refill with fresh water.But do not use the garden hose to refill tank.

The old method I have used on more than a few times due to filling with dodgy water is to use the old publican's method of flushing lines and tank with a strong lime bottle of cordial.( this method is the best I have used )

Just make sure you leave it for a few hrs before flushing line and tank with fresh water.

Also turn on all taps when flushing.

It can be a bit tricky pouring the cordial into tank I use a watering can.

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Thanks all, the tank is filled with a water hose, I have drained and filled the full tank 100ltr plus twice today. The water is clear and if drawn from cold is fine, the issue seems to be as it runs through the hot water side of the system.

baz421, if it has an anode, would it be inside the HWS tank? Will I know what I am looking at.

thanks

Baz421 · Guru

Poppy sore eye wrote:
Thanks all, the tank is filled with a water hose, I have drained and filled the full tank 100ltr plus twice today. The water is clear and if drawn from cold is fine, the issue seems to be as it runs through the hot water side of the system.
baz421, if it has an anode, would it be inside the HWS tank? Will I know what I am looking at.
thanks

Yes anode is in the storage tank,, ie in the hot water. It is usually a hex head plug that unscrews. I'll find a photo of a Suburban one somewhere.

Don't waste any more time filling 100L tank, look for drain in HW tank,, either when anode is out or a drain plug. Hopefully you can push a garden hose in and flush the actual tank.

Baz421 · Guru

Suburban anode

Baz421 · Guru

Does it look like this _ 22L Suburban gas HWS??

herbie · Guru

If the anode is corroded you will need to replace it with a new one. Make sure you replace it with the same one as you take out.

Depending where you are travelling and the quality of the water I have had to replace mine every six months SA was probable the worst places between replacing .I always carry a spare now as some of the out of the way places around our country it is impossible to purchase and always when it needs replacing.

Baz421 · Guru

Poppy sore eye wrote:
How did you get a picture of my HWS??

its not not exact but it's very similar

-- Edited by Poppy sore eye on Monday 23rd of September 2013 08:46:07 PM

OK this was a gas only one so I guessed. See the range on this website. I have no affiliation with this mob. Baz

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php?cPath=991_331

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2634

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Thanks Baz I will let you know how I go.

thanks again Paul

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

If it is a Suburban HWS - this will assist in how to change the anode -

Cheers - John

beiffe · Guru

Make sure you turn OFF your pump and open your taps to release the pressure first or you will wear the anode or worst still hurt someone else as it will be like a missile if the tank is under pressure.
Regards
Brian

Pondy · Senior Member

When you change the anode make sure you turn off the power to the hws.

ozjohn · Guru

After you remove the anode give the tank a good flush with the hose, then you'll understand why the hot water should only be used for washing and not for cooking or tea making etc.
Ozjohn.

Baz421 · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
If it is a Suburban HWS - this will assist in how to change the anode -
Cheers - John

Aw John,,, spoiled the fun again,,lol. I flushed mine 6 months ago by forgetting to let the pressure out. I was coverred in calcium c**p from hair to boots and it hit a wall 4 metres away.

Seriously though bleed off the pressure in the tank.

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Hi Baz, I am making progress, with your and Johns help I removed the anode today, believe it or not it looks brand new, they must have changed it when it was made ready for sale, I was surprised. Anyway I got a load of c*ap out of it by flushing as suggested! it has reduced the issue significantly but not completely. I am hoping that a few cycles of the system will help some more. The MH sas not used for about six months befor we bought it so maybe its just that it was standing.

Thanks again, see you out there, Paul