6 Best Water Heater Maintenance Kits For RVs That Nomads Swear By
Nomad-approved kits to keep your RV’s water hot.
Nothing ruins a morning faster than stepping into an ice-cold shower when you expected a hot one. On the road, your water heater isn’t just a convenience; it’s a critical system for comfort and sanitation. Neglecting it is a surefire way to face costly repairs and frustrating downtime.
Consistent maintenance is the difference between a reliable rig and one that’s always in the shop. The good news is that you don’t need a mechanic’s license to keep your water heater in top shape. With a few specific, inexpensive tools, you can handle 90% of the preventative care yourself.
This isn’t about complicated overhauls. It’s about simple, repeatable tasks that extend the life of your equipment and ensure you have hot water whenever you need it. These are the go-to kits that seasoned nomads rely on to prevent the most common—and most avoidable—water heater failures.
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Your Guide to Essential RV Water Heater Care
Before you grab any tools, you need to know what you’re working with. Most RVs use either a traditional tank-style water heater (like those from Suburban or Dometic/Atwood) or a newer tankless, on-demand model. The maintenance needs for each are fundamentally different.
Tank-style heaters are the most common and require the most attention. They hold 6 to 10 gallons of water, heating it and keeping it ready. Their biggest enemies are sediment buildup from hard water and galvanic corrosion that eats away at the tank itself.
Tankless heaters, on the other hand, don’t store hot water and are less prone to sediment issues, but they still require periodic descaling to keep their heat exchangers clear. While we’re focusing on the more common tank-style heaters here, remember that every system needs regular attention. Proactive care is always cheaper than reactive repair.
Camco Rinser: Blast Away Sediment Buildup
Easily clean your RV's black and gray water tanks with the Rhino Blaster. Its clear elbow allows you to monitor the cleaning process, while the backflow preventer protects your water supply.
Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium settle at the bottom of your water heater tank. This sediment creates a layer of sludge that insulates the water from the heating element, forcing it to work harder and less efficiently. It’s also the primary cause of that nasty "rotten egg" smell.
The Camco Rinser is a brilliantly simple tool that solves this problem. It’s a bent plastic wand that attaches to any standard garden hose. You simply drain your tank, insert the rinser through the drain plug opening, and use the focused jet of water to break up and flush out all that accumulated gunk.
Think of this as a pressure washer for the inside of your tank. Using it two or three times a year, especially if you frequent areas with hard water, is one of the single most effective things you can do. It keeps your heater efficient and prevents the corrosion that sediment can accelerate.
Suburban Anode Rod: Extend Your Tank’s Life
Protect your Suburban water heater with this magnesium anode rod. Its durable stainless steel core absorbs corrosive action, extending tank life and saving you money. Easy to install, it's ideal for high pH and soft water.
If your RV has a Suburban brand water heater, this is non-negotiable. Suburban tanks are glass-lined steel, and to prevent the water from corroding the steel, they use a sacrificial anode rod. This magnesium or aluminum rod is designed to corrode first, sacrificing itself to save the tank.
Your anode rod is a wear item, just like the brakes on your truck. It needs to be inspected at least annually and replaced when it’s about 75% consumed. A new rod costs around $15; a new water heater costs hundreds, plus the headache of installation.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking all tanks need one. Dometic/Atwood water heaters have aluminum tanks and do not use an anode rod; they simply have a nylon drain plug. Know your brand, because putting an anode rod in a tank that doesn’t need one is pointless, and failing to replace one in a tank that does is a catastrophic error.
Valterra Flush Kit: Your All-in-One Solution
Easily clear clogged RV sewer tanks and pipes with the Valterra Flush King. Its 45-degree reverse flush valve attachment features a clear body to confirm when tanks are clean and a leak-proof bayonet connection for reliable use.
While the Camco Rinser is great for routine flushing, sometimes you need a deeper clean. If you’ve acquired a used RV or have been traveling extensively in areas with notoriously hard water, the Valterra Flush Kit is your next step up. It provides a more comprehensive approach to descaling.
This kit typically combines a flushing wand with a hand-operated pump. The pump allows you to introduce a vinegar and water solution directly into the tank. The acidity of the vinegar works to dissolve the stubborn, caked-on mineral deposits that a simple water jet can’t dislodge.
This process is more involved—you’ll let the vinegar solution sit for several hours before flushing—but it’s the ultimate reset for a neglected tank. It restores heating efficiency and can eliminate persistent odor problems. It’s the tool you use for a periodic deep clean, not for every single flush.
Protect Your Vents with Camco Bug Screens
Protect your RV water heater from flying insects with this durable stainless steel mesh screen. It installs easily in minutes with the included tool and silicone strip, ensuring optimal airflow while keeping pests out.
Water heater maintenance isn’t just about what’s inside the tank. The exterior vents for your propane burner and exhaust are prime real estate for mud daubers, wasps, and spiders. A single well-placed nest can block airflow, leading to poor combustion and a dangerous situation.
Camco’s stainless steel bug screens are a simple, elegant solution. They are precisely shaped to fit over your water heater’s exterior vents and install in seconds with small springs. They allow for maximum airflow while creating an impenetrable barrier for nesting insects.
This is more than just a convenience; it’s a critical safety item. A blocked exhaust vent can cause incomplete combustion, leading to a buildup of carbon monoxide—a colorless, odorless gas that can be lethal. For a few dollars, these screens eliminate that risk entirely.
Lippert Anode Wrench: For a Leak-Free Seal
Easily service your RV or residential water heater with this durable dual hex socket wrench. It features 1-1/16" and 1-1/2" hex sizes for anode rods and elements, with side holes for added leverage.
You can have all the right parts, but without the right tool, a simple job can turn into a nightmare. The anode rod (or drain plug) on a water heater is often tucked away in a tight compartment, making it difficult to access with a standard socket wrench. Using the wrong tool, like an adjustable wrench, is a great way to strip the head.
The Lippert Anode Wrench (or similar dedicated water heater wrenches) is designed for this specific task. It’s an angled, dual-headed wrench that gives you the leverage and clearance you need. One end typically fits the 1-1/16" anode rod hex head, while the other fits a standard 7/8" drain plug.
Investing in the proper wrench ensures you can remove the rod without a struggle and, more importantly, tighten it correctly upon reinstallation. This prevents slow leaks that can go unnoticed, causing water damage to your RV’s wall and floor. It’s about doing the job right and with confidence.
Your Camco Pump Converter Winterizing Kit
Winterize your RV quickly and easily by using your existing water pump to fill pipes with antifreeze. This permanent kit includes a brass valve, siphon hose, Teflon tape, and pump adapters for a one-time installation. CSA Low Lead Content Certified.
For any nomad who travels or stores their rig in freezing climates, winterizing is mandatory. When water freezes, it expands with enough force to split lines and rupture your water heater tank. This kit makes the process dramatically easier and more efficient.
The kit is essentially a three-way valve that you install on the inlet side of your water pump. Instead of pulling from your fresh tank, you can flip the valve and use a short hose to pull non-toxic RV antifreeze directly from the jug. This allows you to fill your plumbing lines without also filling your 6- or 10-gallon water heater.
Why is this so important? It saves you from wasting gallons of antifreeze on a tank that should be drained and bypassed anyway. Come springtime, it also means you only have to flush the antifreeze from your lines, not from the entire water heater, making de-winterizing a much faster and simpler job.
Your Final Checklist for Water Heater Care
Effective maintenance is about building simple habits. It’s not one big job, but a series of small, easy tasks performed on a regular schedule. Keeping your water heater reliable is straightforward when you know what to do and when.
Use this as your baseline checklist to stay on top of the essentials. Adjust the frequency based on how much you travel and the water quality where you stay.
- Every 3-4 Months: Flush the tank with a rinser wand to remove loose sediment.
- Every 6 Months: Remove and inspect your anode rod (if you have a Suburban tank). Check your bug screens for debris.
- Annually: Replace the anode rod if it’s more than 75% consumed. Perform a deep clean with a vinegar solution if you notice reduced performance or odors.
- Seasonally: Before the first freeze, drain the tank, engage the bypass valves, and winterize your plumbing lines.
Ultimately, these tools and routines are about peace of mind. They empower you to take control of a critical system in your mobile home. A little bit of proactive work saves you from cold showers, expensive surprises, and lost travel days, ensuring your life on the road is as comfortable and seamless as possible.
Living on the road is about freedom and self-reliance, and that extends to the vehicle you call home. Your RV’s systems are interconnected, and the health of one impacts them all. A well-maintained water heater isn’t just a luxury; it’s a cornerstone of a functional and reliable mobile life.
These kits aren’t fancy or expensive. They are simple, purpose-built tools that solve the most common problems before they start. By investing a small amount of time and money in this basic care, you’re not just fixing a machine—you’re protecting your comfort, your safety, and your investment for the long haul.
