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While camping at an older campground, the filter between the campground water and my trailer became clogged so I ran without it for a very short time. It seems that the campground has the older steel pipes and small particles have entered my trailer water system and has seriously reduced the flow at some of the faucets. Please tell me I don't have to re-plumb the entire system. --Steve Blades Dear Steve, It is doubtful that running non-filtered campground city water for a very short time will seriously damage the lines in the RV. That's one of the benefits of plastic piping. You will, however, need to remove and clean all the faucet aerators. Leave the aerators off for the time being as you proceed with the following. If the fresh water storage tank was filled with that same water you may have to also clean or replace the filter that protects the water pump. It will be located somewhere between the tank and the pump. A thorough system flush is all that's probably necessary to rid the system of any unwanted particles that may still be there. Firs,t fill the tank with fresh water. Keep in mind it's a good idea to use an in-line POU (point of use) filter for this practice. Once the fresh water tank has been filled, turn on the water pump and begin pumping fresh water throughout the system. Open all the hot and cold faucets in the RV. When water is flowing swiftly from each faucet, close them all. With the pump still activated, open the pressure and temperature relief valve and the drain valve on the water heater. The obvious result will be water gushing out of the relief valve and down the side of the coach. This is okay. The goal here is to flush out the water heater. Let the pump continually try to fill the water heater for 10-15 minutes as it is draining. Next, at the city water entry port, push in on the check valve with the eraser end of a pencil. Stand back as water will be forced out the entry by the pump, clearing any particles that might have become lodged in or near the check valve. Then open all the faucets once again and continue to flush the system for five minutes more, then stop the water flow. Turn off the water pump off first and then close the pressure and temperature relief valve and water heater drain and then the faucets. Re-install the faucet aerators. Re-fill the fresh tank with filtered water and you should be good to go. If you have persistent odors remaining in the fresh water, it will be necessary to freshen the system. This can be done by using one of many aftermarket products found in the RV accessory store, or try this homemade recipe: Add one-quarter cup of liquid bleach to the tank for every fifteen gallons capacity of the tank. This bleach solution, diluted by the entire water supply, will effectively chlorinate the water, keeping it fresh and ready for use. Gary Bunzer, The RV Doctor, is a well known RV author and the host of RV Roadtrips, the DIY Network cable television show. He is one of the RV industry's most sought after speakers and the host of the popular DVD titled Do It Yourself RV Care.  RVs for saleMotorhomes, Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels, Truck Campers, Pop ups and much more. See the big selection at NewRVer.com. Click here Top of Page Get your FREE RV Travel Newsletter every week - sign up now.
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