Cleaning freshwater lines

[Mario]

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario



capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Bristol Bronze]

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario

Dear Mario,

Your thoughts on the bleach solution are right on the money. The Navy specification is to use a bleach solution with at least five parts per million chlorine. The solution should be allowed to stand in the lines for several minutes.

As far as the brush to run through the lines is concerned, check with your local gun shop. They should have wire bore brushes in various sizes. You can tie a string to one and drag it through.

Roger W.
Bristol Bronze
401-625-5224



info@bristolbronze.com

[Bill]

Hi Mario

I thought I saw a thread on this board about the proper mixture of bleach, so you might do a search here. According to Peggy Hall (I think that's her name) you should run the bleach water through all lines and out the facets (sp) until you smell bleach. Then let it stand for 24 hours. After that drain the tank and flush with clean water.....If the crud has been there for some time you minght need to replace the lines entirely?????

Take care and tell Rhapsody's big sister hello.

Bill
Captain Commanding
S/V Rhapsody (the Original)
CD25D #148
Oklahoma Contingent of the NE Fleet
Kerr Lake, OK

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario

cd25d@rhapsodysails.com

[Ken Coit]

See posting from Hobby Marine's Glen Snader. Water quality is his primary business.

Ken

Hi Mario

I thought I saw a thread on this board about the proper mixture of bleach, so you might do a search here. According to Peggy Hall (I think that's her name) you should run the bleach water through all lines and out the facets (sp) until you smell bleach. Then let it stand for 24 hours. After that drain the tank and flush with clean water.....If the crud has been there for some time you minght need to replace the lines entirely?????

Take care and tell Rhapsody's big sister hello.

Bill
Captain Commanding
S/V Rhapsody (the Original)
CD25D #148
Oklahoma Contingent of the NE Fleet
Kerr Lake, OK

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario

parfaitNOSPAM@nc.rr.com

[Larry DeMers]

I don't know why more people don't use their onboard water tanks..on our CD30, that represents 60 gals . of good water sitting there. All that is needed to use it is the time needed to clean the tanks and hoses, then install a charcoal filter under the galley sink for treatment of all water used.
We have used an Omni filter ($35). Every hardware store in the country carries these..get the charcoal *paper* filter media ($7.00) with this filter body, and you will be all setup.

To clean the hoses, why not go down to the grocery store and buy a baby bottle brush. There are two sizes..one for small bottles and the nipples..it is about the diameter of a dime..and a much larger version that may be too big for our uses..YMMV.
Adapt the smaller brush to allow it to be pulled thru the hose with a wire attached to the brushes handle. You may need to trim the brush with scissors to get it to fit tightly without problems.

I highly recommend using a charcoal filter inline with the tank to spigot connection (in series). This is a change you wil enjoy for many years to come too. Just change the filter media yearly.

To get the water tanks ready for summer use, after sitting for awhile, wash and rinse clean of large debris (we use a small wet vac). Then empty and then add in a mix of soap and hylex (1 oz. soap, 2 oz. of hylex, 32 oz water). Swish around the tanks interior, then scrub areas you can reach; pump out completely, partially refill with water and rinse by pumping it out thoroughly again, then refill a last time for use. Run a little of this water out through the system before installing the filter media (about $7.00).

Cheers,

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Sailing the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario

demers@sgi.com

[Mario]

Thanks to all for their suggestions. I'm going to do some water line reaming next trip to the boat and we'll implement the other suggestions as well.

We don't use our water for drinking for two reasons--the persistent odor we have been unable to completely eliminate, and the poor quality of the water at the marina. I'm going to put a Shurflo filter on our water hose and see if that helps. Suffice it to say that we see all manner of things coming out of the hose that we don't care to ingest. It is a pain to haul water onboard, but for now we're stuck. We hope to eliminate the problem this time around.

Mario

I don't know why more people don't use their onboard water tanks..on our CD30, that represents 60 gals . of good water sitting there. All that is needed to use it is the time needed to clean the tanks and hoses, then install a charcoal filter under the galley sink for treatment of all water used.

capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Larry DeMers]

The majority of the bad taste, I wager, comes from the plastic holding tank. Filtering the water before placing it in the holding tank will only remove large debris, which should not be in the water anyway. It will not do anything for the taste and smell of the water. For that you need to add a charcoal paper filter before the galley pump, as I have described.
To give you hope..we have used the same Omni filter (mounted in the engine compartment) for twelve years (with yearly changes of the filter media), and the filtered water is far better tasting than we get from a home well, or from city water, of which we also have access. Coffee tastes better, and your back will thank you for saving it the trouble of hauling fresh water to the boat. Try it..you'll love it.

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Sailing the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior

Thanks to all for their suggestions. I'm going to do some water line reaming next trip to the boat and we'll implement the other suggestions as well.

We don't use our water for drinking for two reasons--the persistent odor we have been unable to completely eliminate, and the poor quality of the water at the marina. I'm going to put a Shurflo filter on our water hose and see if that helps. Suffice it to say that we see all manner of things coming out of the hose that we don't care to ingest. It is a pain to haul water onboard, but for now we're stuck. We hope to eliminate the problem this time around.

Mario

I don't know why more people don't use their onboard water tanks..on our CD30, that represents 60 gals . of good water sitting there. All that is needed to use it is the time needed to clean the tanks and hoses, then install a charcoal filter under the galley sink for treatment of all water used.

demers@sgi.com

[Jim Alexander]

I want to clean out the freshwater lines on Rhapsody to remove any gunk and scale that has built up over the years.

We noticed a bad odor in the water that we originally thought was traceable to an old water filter that was full of unspeakable stuff. However, after removing it there was only a small improvement. We determined that water in the tanks was fine, and after letting the water run for a minute there was no odor, so we think the culprit is in the various sections of water line. When water sits in the lines it picks up whatever is in there and smells. Note that we don't drink or cook with this water--washing/rinsing only.

My idea is to run a stiff round brush on a wire through each section and scour it out with a mild bleach/water solution. However, I can figure out where to get such a brush.

Any ideas or recommendations? I'd much rather clean the lines and see if that solves the problem than replace the system.

Thanks--
Mario

Water tanks seem to react to "the more you use them the better they get".
We use three filters. The two Larry suggested, Pur and an in line and =
the other is a GE from Home Depot to filter the water before it goes =
into your tanks. We still use the old couple of ounces of Clorox per 20 =
gallons. The real secrete is to keep it moving!



jimalex@earthlink.net