Is plumbing antifreeze harmful to HW tank?

jerseyjim wrote:
I donno about the more expensive vs. cheaper RV/Marine (pink) antifreeze. I've always gone for the cheaper one....for over 25 years now (trailers and motorhome) and never any damage to any pipelines.

One thing I learned when we had the gasoline "shortages" all those years ago, was that preferring one brand of gas over the other was a fallacy. Seemed they ALL burned the same no matter if it was Esso (remember that?) Gulf, Amoco or no-name. I've carried that forward to things like pink RV/Marine antifreeze. So far...works for me...............

I just picked up 3 gallons of the "pink stuff" from one of the big box home depot type stores. They had 2 brands, one was marked $4.99 a gallon, the other was $2.49 a gallon. Guess which one I took 3 of?

I donno about the more expensive vs. cheaper RV/Marine (pink) antifreeze. I've always gone for the cheaper one....for over 25 years now (trailers and motorhome) and never any damage to any pipelines.

One thing I learned when we had the gasoline "shortages" all those years ago, was that preferring one brand of gas over the other was a fallacy. Seemed they ALL burned the same no matter if it was Esso (remember that?) Gulf, Amoco or no-name. I've carried that forward to things like pink RV/Marine antifreeze. So far...works for me...............

MFL wrote:
FWIW, all pink RV anti-freeze is not the same. For a number of years now I have been buying the better grade, that contains NO ALCOHOL. I use Prestone RV brand, about 5 bucks a gal. It is easy on your system, and does a good job lubricating your dump valve and toilet seals. It will not evaporate or cause corrosion, like many of the cheaper ethanol based RV anti-freeze.

I use about 3 gals, making sure to get some in tanks, for seal lube. It doesn't cost much more compared to the 3 dollar a gal stuff, plus the added benefit.

Jerry

I didn't know that Jerry. I'll have a look for that next year.
I checked the RV antifreeze I used and it didn't have any warnings about corrosion.

Thanks
Bob

FWIW, all pink RV anti-freeze is not the same. For a number of years now I have been buying the better grade, that contains NO ALCOHOL. I use Prestone RV brand, about 5 bucks a gal. It is easy on your system, and does a good job lubricating your dump valve and toilet seals. It will not evaporate or cause corrosion, like many of the cheaper ethanol based RV anti-freeze.

I use about 3 gals, making sure to get some in tanks, for seal lube. It doesn't cost much more compared to the 3 dollar a gal stuff, plus the added benefit.

Jerry

MFL wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
I would open the drain and stick one of those flush tubes that fit on the end of a garden hose in there.

Bob, this would be a good idea, as many of the pink anti-freeze solutions will cause a lot of foaming, if in your water heater, when you start using your shower next season.

I've BTDT, it won't hurt you, but may make you wonder how clean you are, after the shower.:) It seemed my by pass shutoff leaked a little, on previous FW, allowing a small amount of pink to get in WH.

Jerry

There would only be a small amount of antifreeze anyway. I read on a bottle of RV antifreeze that it could be corrosive. I'll give it a good flush now and again in the spring.
Thanks everyone for your replies.

Bob

grampscamper wrote:

Dave H M wrote:
I would open the drain and stick one of those flush tubes that fit on the end of a garden hose in there.

I leave the drain plug out anyway. I'll do that.

Thanks
Bob

Guess you have no bugs in your area, I always put the plug back in

Dave H M wrote:
I would open the drain and stick one of those flush tubes that fit on the end of a garden hose in there.

Bob, this would be a good idea, as many of the pink anti-freeze solutions will cause a lot of foaming, if in your water heater, when you start using your shower next season.

I've BTDT, it won't hurt you, but may make you wonder how clean you are, after the shower.:) It seemed my by pass shutoff leaked a little, on previous FW, allowing a small amount of pink to get in WH.

Jerry

Based on your other post it might pay to replace the Bypass piping that appears to be faulty.

Dave H M wrote:
I would open the drain and stick one of those flush tubes that fit on the end of a garden hose in there.

I leave the drain plug out anyway. I'll do that.

Thanks
Bob

I would open the drain and stick one of those flush tubes that fit on the end of a garden hose in there.