Forum Discussion

EMD360's avatar
EMD360
Explorer
Dec 05, 2016

Late on Pink Stuff

I was late this year winterizing the RV plumbing because it took me too long to go to the store to buy pink stuff. I had drained the plumbing and the water heater and left the faucets open but before I could get to the antifreeze, the temperatures turned cold. The coldest it got was 13 degrees one night and I was really worried that I would find cracked pipes in the RV. Today it is a balmy 50 and I was able to suck in the antifreeze. I did find one leak under the outside shower faucet. Not sure where it is coming from. Somewhere behind the box but in front of the inside piping. I'll find it when it gets warm. It only leaked when I had the faucet on.
Once I forgot to squeeze the kitchen faucet sprayer and it cracked. But it was easy to replace with an even nicer one. I just don't want my fancy oxygenics shower head. :-)
I consider myself lucky on this one.
Class C
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 05, 2016
    Some of the faucets are very poorly constructed. The portion to the spout probably pushed out. You may need a replacement in the spring.
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Dec 05, 2016
    Did you drain your Traps? Sink, Vanity, Tub/Shower? Don't forget to winterize your toilet flush valve. Kinda off the path like that kitchen sprayer.
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Dec 05, 2016
    I lost the toilet valve last year. I must have forgotten to bleed the pink stuff through it.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 05, 2016
    Draining doesn't get everything out, you have to blow the rest of it out or it will indeed break something.
  • EMD360's avatar
    EMD360
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2016
    Duh I did forget the toilet valve. May have to replace that too. I had put some pink in the traps earlier. Didn't have enough to pull through the plumbing though. I didn't read the water heater bypass valve correctly and got some pink stuff in there before I realized it. I have a short system so usually only need less than a gallon but sucked up more than half before I realized it was going into the hot water heater so I used the whole gallon.
    I found a bottle of water and soda and a can of beer under the sink so it had not frozen solid yet. I do think mine needs to be drained and protected by antifreeze. Too many places for water to get caught.
    The temps are supposed to go down to just above zero in the next night or two.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Dec 06, 2016
    At this point in time, I would disconnect water line to toilet. That may be enough for expansion without breaking the valve.
    Put note on toilet to reconnect before spring start up.
  • samven1's avatar
    samven1
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2016
    I did the exact same thing this year. I had a block of ice in the toilet and the pump was frozen, but I had drained the system. The traps had ice in them too. I also left the hot water heater in the loop. I took a heater inside and got the temps up to about 65 and used a hair dryer to thaw the pump and toilet. Thankfully everything started working and the system held pressure but it will have to get warmer before I have a chance to really check everything out.
    Fingers Crossed
  • crasster's avatar
    crasster
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2016
    When we store we open up all valves to everything, shower, tub, all faucets, sinks, etc. I crank on the water pump and remove all water until the pump is dry. Then I remove both hoses to the pump.

    I use may air tank and "blow out" both ends of the hoses (that connect to the water pump) for a while to remove all water in the lines.

    I know the pink stuff is not supposed to be toxic, but we are "those people" who are very paranoid about residual chems in our water lines. Never had a problem doing it this way. It's pretty fast too and cheap. You'll hear air rushing out of your water fixtures.

    ALSO don't forget, drain valve open on the water heater.

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025