How to properly clean a caravan water system

Whether or not you drink water directly from the taps in your caravan, keeping the water system clean and functioning is still super important.

In this guide, we’ll look at how to clean your caravan water tank, why you need to do it, and how often.

Why should I clean my caravan water system?

Caravan water systems can get dirty. And when they do, often they’ll get a build-up of something called biofilm.

This is bacteria that will potentially cause an infection if you ingest it.

Even if you don’t drink the tap water in your caravan, you can still easily ingest biofilm when having a shower or washing up.

Flushing out and cleaning the water system in your caravan is a simple way to prevent illness for you, your family, and your guests.

Related: Guide to painting a caravan exterior (step-by-step)

How often should I clean my caravan water system?

It depends on how regularly you use your caravan.

If your caravan has been idle for a while, we recommend cleaning your water system before you use it again. This will rid any potential biofilm that may have formed whilst it was uninhabited.

Make sure you give it a thorough clean before you stay in it again. Giving your water system one deep clean at the start of the season is usually fine.

While holidaying in your caravan, you should also be aware of any strange taste or smell in the water.

If you start to notice this, it always makes sense to give the water system a thorough clean again to be on the safe side.

How to clean your caravan water tank (step-by-step)

Follow our guide to thoroughly clean and sterilise your caravan water system.

1. Find the right sterilisation fluid

First, you’ll need to find an appropriate sterilisation fluid.

Puriclean is always a good option as it’s been specifically manufactured for caravans and motorhomes. This means it doesn’t contain things that are corrosive to metal, so it won’t damage your caravan’s pipework.

You can easily pick up Puriclean online from retailers like Amazon.

2. Sterilise the Aquaroll

The first part of cleaning involves sterilising the Aquaroll.

1. Measure your fluid against the water tank capacity. You’ll need 100g for up to 90 litres of water tank capacity.
2. Remove your filter, as you don’t want the sterilisation fluid to damage it.
3. Add the sterilisation fluid to your Aquaroll and fill the tank to capacity.
4. Roll the tank several times and shake it to disperse all the sterilisation fluid.
5. Leave it to sit.

3. Flush the taps

Next, you’ll need to flush the taps.

1. Fill your hot and cold water tanks (you don’t need to turn the hot water on). By filling the tanks, you can push a small amount of sterilised water through each of the taps in your caravan and your shower.
2. Let the water flow through the taps for a short time.
3. Close off the taps.
4. Wait for at least 60 minutes for the sterilisation fluid to sterilise the Aquaroll. Leave it longer if you haven’t been in your caravan for a while.

 Related: The 7 best caravan steps on the market 

4. Empty the water supply

Having left the Aquaroll for an hour or so, it’s time to completely flush it—do so by leaving every tap and the shower on.

This helps ensure that every water access point receives enough sterilisation, so you can be sure the full pipe network has been cleaned thoroughly.

5. Get rid of the sterilisation fluid

It’s essential to fully eradicate the sterilisation fluid from the water and the pipes.

To do so, re-fill the Aquaroll, drain it through the taps, and shower again, at least twice. Keep doing this until no more sterilisation fluid is present.

You’ll be able to tell it’s still there if the water has a strange smell or taste.

Keep rinsing and repeating until it has all gone.

6. Replace the filter

Once the system has been sterilised, you’ll need to re-fit the filter. Tap water is now safe to drink in your caravan.

Related: Why is caravan insurance important?

What if I use a separate water tank for drinking water?

If you use a separate water tank for drinking water, it’s key to clean it properly using a chemical steriliser.

You’ll need to wash it thoroughly multiple times to ensure the water is safe to drink.

We still recommend regularly cleaning your caravan water system to avoid ingesting biofilm when showering or washing dishes.

Specialist caravan insurance through Ripe

Now you know how to clean your caravan water system, you can rest assured that it will be fully sterile whilst you’re away this year.

You might also want to consider protecting it through specialist insurance so your holidays are completely worry-free.

At Ripe, the cover protects tourers from theft, loss, or damage up to the value of £75,000 and static caravans up to the value of £175,000. You can also opt for additional cover to protect your contents and awnings.

Click here to learn more about how we can help or get an instant online quote today.