Cedarhill
Deep South
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Joined: 09/20/2011
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dodge guy wrote:Cedarhill wrote:If the owner blows out the water system with compressed air according to recommended procedure, there is no use for putting antifreeze anywhere but in the traps of the drain pipes. I don't care what the water tastes like in the traps.
What happens when you get water collecting in a low point? You cannot get 100% of the water out with compressed air!
First of all, it is not difficult to drive nearly all the water out of the pipes. You just have to use lots of air and the low point drains. Secondly, you need to understand how freezing water does damage. It must be restricted and contained in such a way that the expansion of the freezing water applies force to break something. A pipe that has some water in it has room for the residue to expand and so doesn't apply pressure to anything. Finally, I know the procedure works because my trailer has set for months in temperatures that go below freezing and I have not sustained any damage.
If you need to circulate gallons of antifreeze in your plumbing so as feel confident about winter protection, then by all means do so. Its only 30 minutes of labor and $10 or so worth of material. If you just want to prevent freezing, my advice is to carefully blow all the water out of the supply lines with compressed air and use antifreeze in the drains. That is what my dealer does and he carries dozens of RVs through the winter.
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Trish Davis
eastern Ohio
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Joined: 08/04/2007
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Use vodka to clean the fresh water tank.
On a tip from a friend -who I thought was crazy-- I used vodka in the fresh water tank after draining RV anti-freeze.
It works! No bleach smell or taste.
A 5-gallon of cheap vodka will do 2 years.
Less, if you come across nasty smelling campground water.
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rexlion
Broken Arrow OK
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Joined: 04/01/2005
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The water pump is the area I most wondered about. I wouldn't want to mess it up by using something that would destroy it.
I might try the vodka wash and see what it does with the current taste and smell. If it ever cools off enough to do outdoor tasks... it's another 110 degree day here.
Mike & Sherry
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
2008 Toyota Highlander
2011 KZ Spree Escape E14RB
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Joined: 03/23/2004
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Cedarhill wrote:dodge guy wrote:Cedarhill wrote:If the owner blows out the water system with compressed air according to recommended procedure, there is no use for putting antifreeze anywhere but in the traps of the drain pipes. I don't care what the water tastes like in the traps.
What happens when you get water collecting in a low point? You cannot get 100% of the water out with compressed air!
First of all, it is not difficult to drive nearly all the water out of the pipes. You just have to use lots of air and the low point drains. Secondly, you need to understand how freezing water does damage. It must be restricted and contained in such a way that the expansion of the freezing water applies force to break something. A pipe that has some water in it has room for the residue to expand and so doesn't apply pressure to anything. Finally, I know the procedure works because my trailer has set for months in temperatures that go below freezing and I have not sustained any damage.
If you need to circulate gallons of antifreeze in your plumbing so as feel confident about winter protection, then by all means do so. Its only 30 minutes of labor and $10 or so worth of material. If you just want to prevent freezing, my advice is to carefully blow all the water out of the supply lines with compressed air and use antifreeze in the drains. That is what my dealer does and he carries dozens of RVs through the winter.
OK, I`m not being a smart a.. here, but I see you live in the "deep south" so you don`t see the sub zero temps we see up here. water will expand in every direction! even when in a low point in a pipe it will want to expand, yes it may expand to the sides in a pipe, but a good hard freeze will have it rupturing a pipe. I`ve seen it happen. That`s why for the small price in RV antifreeze (3 gallons) I know 100% I will have a perfectly functioning water sytem come spring.
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Cedarhill
Deep South
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Ice doesn't continue to expand as it gets colder after it freezes solid. 20 degree ice will burst a pipe the same as -20 degree ice. Even if you somehow mess up the water purge and leave some water in a low point somewhere, Pex pipe will expand with the water and not burst. The real risk is in and around valves and fittings and water pump.
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Pangaea Ron
Anacortes, WA, USA
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Joined: 12/20/2004
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We live on the salt water with a usually less than severe winter each year. We don't winterize, but instead add a bit of heat to help protect the MH. I open all the interior cabinet/storage doors and use 2 small fan-forced electric heaters to help circulate air that are set at 40F. I also set the MH propane heating system at 35F to kick in if necessary, and add a light bulb with a 35F on/off switch in the exterior bay that has the water connections. The MH is always ready to use!
2008 Itasca SunCruiser 35L
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
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dodge guy
Bartlett IL
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Does anyone else put salt around the toilet seat?!
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RVUSA
Orlando, FL, USA
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Joined: 01/04/2005
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I'm winterizing as we speak. Vodka and Iced Tea. Yum.
Seriously salt around the toilet? Just in case a deer makes the rig his crib for the winter? 
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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Cedarhill wrote:Ice doesn't continue to expand as it gets colder after it freezes solid. 20 degree ice will burst a pipe the same as -20 degree ice. Even if you somehow mess up the water purge and leave some water in a low point somewhere, Pex pipe will expand with the water and not burst. The real risk is in and around valves and fittings and water pump.
I agree with the fittings and valves are more likely to burst. How does compressed air alone protect the fittings from freezing?
In the south and moderate climates blowing out the lines maybe OK . In truly cold climates compressed air alone is a gamble.
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4x4Bob
California.
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Joined: 05/17/2002
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While winterizing with Vodka make a big deal out of the process so the little lady will notice.
Then next spring add 3-4 gallons of Vodka to the fresh water tank while filling it. Then when you are drinking several glasses of water a day from the kitchen faucet, she will not think anything about it.
Bob
2001 2500 Silverado LS 4x4 6.0, 4.10
2007 Jayco Eagle 288RLS
Cocktails for 6, Dinner for 4, Sleeps 2
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End of dirt road, no signs in sight, sun going down: I am not lost, just getting ready to go camping.
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