Winterizing Plumbing

[boneneck]

I'm about to start on my plumbing and was hoping a few of you had suggestions. My concern would be including a way to remove the water from my lines before storing my trailer for the winter. I have heard there is a way to push compressed air through the lines to clear the water. Anyone have any experience with installing this type of thing? Maybe some links to parts online? As always thanks so much!

[dawgpound]

When we had our Avion, I would use a BLOW OUT PLUG
www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/blow-out-plug/4410 Open all of the faucets and then use compressed air & an air blow gun and blow the water out of the lines.

Here is another cool item. It's a BLOW OUT HOSE www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/blow-out-hose/38534 Looks like it would be easier to use.

I plan on putting a few drain plugs in my plumbing lines on the Starflyte. Remove the cap for easy draining.

Use RV Antifreeze for water pumps and even run it through the plumbing lines.

Here is an over kill video on winterizing. But you at least get the basics.
youtu.be/qmZjLh_Lto8

[61 Shasta]

boneneck, its really pretty simple. I have been using compressed air to winterize my rv's for years and never, I repeat, never have had a frozen/broken line. Here is the process I use: I drain any holding tanks and make sure they are empty. Because of the volume of water in it, drain the hot water tank if you have one. Then if you have one, open the lowest drain valve you have to let any water drain out of the system. Once the water is finished draining, close the valves. Finally, I made an adapter to transition my air compressor to the city water hookup on the unit. I set my compressor for about 40lbs then open the compressor valve and cycle any water valves in the trailer/motorhome until the only thing coming out is compressed air. Once I am sure that all of the water is out, I pour a little antifreeze in any traps (sinks/bathtub, etc. Generally there is some standing water in these traps and the anitfreeze will prevent them from freezing. When I am all done, I open the drain valve on the water heater to be sure it has not collected any water from this process plus the drain valve. If you have an RV toilet, don't forget that as it is often one of the "forgotten" items and can be a problem come spring if you don't cycle it while blowing out the other lines. I don't use RV anitfreeze, I have had some bad experiences with it in terms of causing odors when you fill the tanks in the spring. I solely rely on the air compressor to do the job and so far haven't been disappointed. As far as the pump is concerned, I usually remove the outlet line and let it run for a few seconds to expel any water that may be in it. Remember, it is simply a diaphragm and don't really hold any water so it don't take long to clear it. I live in Eastern Washington state and our winters get down to the sub zero level and this process has worked for me for a number of years so I feel confident in passing it along. Now, my suggestion to you would be to install a drain valve in the low part of your water system. My Shasta won't have a large water system to drain but you can bet I will still use this basic process to clear it. Right now, I winterize my 32 foot motor home every year and its water system is rather extensive and it works. If you have questions feel free to send me an personal message and I will try to answer it.

[cowcharge]

One thing about the water heaters, if it's a six gallon tanked heater... The drain is above the bottom of the tank, so it leaves an inch or so of water in it. That isn't enough to do damage when it freezes, but it is enough to turn stagnant and grow stuff. You might want to try to blow as much of that out as possible by putting the air hose in through the drain hole, or by siphoning or inserting something absorbent to draw it out...

[boneneck]

Thank you so much everyone!. I'm Starting the plumbing this afternoon, and think I'll go with a blow-out plug. What year Starflyte do you have Ross? I'm working on a '69 right now.

[dawgpound]

We have a 1970 17 footer. When we bought it, I was really only buying it so I could part it out. But the more and more I looked and thought about....I decided to rescue her and give her a new lease on life.

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[vikx]

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