I winterized with compressed air after first emptying the hot water heater. I decided to take the plug out of the water heater a second time after I was done just to make sure it was empty. Compressed air had filled the tank and I got a sudden blast of air and water - roughly a quart or more or water as I loosened the plug. It was enough to soak one of my pant legs. There is no apparent damage but what went wrong? Frank
Well, you need to have the hot water faucets open to prevent pressure build up, and to have a place for the water to go. RonB
I winterized with compressed air after first emptying the hot water heater. I decided to take the plug out of the water heater a second time after I was done just to make sure it was empty. Compressed air had filled the tank and I got a sudden blast of air and water - roughly a quart or more or water as I loosened the plug. It was enough to soak one of my pant legs. There is no apparent damage but what went wrong? Frank
Don't rely on blowing out your lines. Some water will remain and collect in low points which will freeze and break pipes. The only sure way is to use antifreeze method.
Don't rely on blowing out your lines. Some water will remain and collect in low points which will freeze and break pipes. The only sure way is to use antifreeze method.
More than one toilet valve has cracked due to the residual water left in the system when winterizing.
Blowing the water out and then adding RV anti-freeze is a proven way to protect the plumbing from freezing.
A heater bypass is needed to reduce the amount of antifreeze needed.
Living in a warmer climate also works well.
Predicted high today of 93.
Larry
Cold and rainy here but great for what I'm doing today.
I believe the water heater doesnt drain completely. So the compressed air blew that out. Consider opening the water heater relief valve before draining tank to avoid flying plug projectial that could hit you where the sun don’t shine! Ouch!
Ron
Maybe I'm lucky but I only blow out the water system to winterize. Since we 'camp' year round I have winterize two sometimes three times a year. I follow the factory instructions to the letter. I did learn to turn off the water pump then run the hot water side till there is no pressure in the line. Then I remove the hot water drain plug slowly just in case.
Maybe I'm lucky but I only blow out the water system to winterize. Since we 'camp' year round I have winterize two sometimes three times a year. I follow the factory instructions to the letter. I did learn to turn off the water pump then run the hot water side till there is no pressure in the line. Then I remove the hot water drain plug slowly just in case.
Interesting. I've always heard this just doesn't work but maybe I heard wrong. How cold does it get where you live?
Interesting. I've always heard this just doesn't work but maybe I heard wrong. How cold does it get where you live?
I've winterized here in the Denver area for the last 16 winters where winter temps have gotten as low as -15. I've always blown the lines and usually make the faucet/toilet rounds 2-3 times with the compressor on just to make sure there is nothing freezable left in the lines. Have never had a problem.
Chris
I winterized with compressed air after first emptying the hot water heater. I decided to take the plug out of the water heater a second time after I was done just to make sure it was empty. Compressed air had filled the tank and I got a sudden blast of air and water - roughly a quart or more or water as I loosened the plug. It was enough to soak one of my pant legs. There is no apparent damage but what went wrong? Frank
Several weeks ago, just after I had washed the LD and backed into my storage stall, preparing to put the RV cover on, my neighbor in a Seneca Kodiak arrived and told me was going to drain his hot water heater, which on the Seneca, is nearly window level on the LD. He proceded to loosen the valve, and you guessed it, it blew antifreeze all over the side of the clean LD. He was terribly embarrassed and I didn't ask why he was draining anti-freeze to winterize.
Chris
I've winterized here in the Denver area for the last 16 winters where winter temps have gotten as low as -15. I've always blown the lines and usually make the faucet/toilet rounds 2-3 times with the compressor on just to make sure there is nothing freezable left in the lines. Have never had a problem.
Chris
Just goes to show common knowledge can be wrong and maybe blowing out lines does work. At this point though I think I'll stick to the antfreeze method just because I'll sleep better on really cold nights knowning my pipes are full of atifreeze instead of wondering if I blew them out right.
Just goes to show common knowledge can be wrong and maybe blowing out lines does work. At this point though I think I'll stick to the antfreeze method just because I'll sleep better on really cold nights knowning my pipes are full of atifreeze instead of wondering if I blew them out right.
Both methods work if done properly. Personally, I prefer not to have anti-freeze in my water lines. It's good to have options.
Chris
There are two types of anti-freeze for Rv's.
1. ETHANOL (alcohol) BASED.
Ethanol is the alcohol that is in beer, wine, and/or whiskey. I'm thinking you could pour beer or cheap wine in your water system for the same effect.
2. PROPYLENE GLYCOL
3. Mix of both.
All three are safe for human use.
The anti-freeze used in cars is NOT safe for water systems or humans.
Tech Tips: RV Antifreeze: Not All the Same - RV Life (http://rvlife.com/techtipsrv-antifreeze-not-all-the-same/)
For me and my loved ones I'll stick with air.
I have some friends in the boating community and they are fond of using cheap Vodka for their antifreeze. They say that the first cruise in the spring is almost always the best on of the year. Maybe its worth a try.
I have some friends in the boating community and they are fond of using cheap Vodka for their antifreeze. They say that the first cruise in the spring is almost always the best on of the year. Maybe its worth a try.
Pure water will freeze at 32F/0C. The freezing point of Vodka depends of the proof. 80 proof will freeze at -16F/-27C. Beer and wine will not be a good because it contain too many ingredients the freeze at different points to made a very good judgment of freezing point.
"The freezing point of Vodka depends of the proof."
I'm totally amazed at your knowledge base! How long did it take to develop that? ;) ;D