Winterize water system question

I just blow out the lines and put windshield washer fluid into the drains. I also siphon the remaining water out of the water heater after flushing it. The pros are it is simple,quick,no aftertaste from the anti freeze to deal with. Cons would be not getting all the water out of the lines like in a washing machine, having a sagging water line and not getting all the water out, using an old compressor and not draining the tank and blowing rusty water into the water lines.

The ice maker does not need to be winterized. Only the water line to the ice maker should e drained. If water freezes in the ice maker it is fine. I have only used the air for my last 4 motorhomes and never had a problem.

I blow my inground pool lines out with compressed air and cap the intakes and outlets off one at a time while under pressure. The only place I add antifreeze is into the gizmo in the skimmer (compresses when the water in the skimmer freezes to prevent damage to the skimmer). It's never frozen in the 6 years I've been in the house.

That being said - if it were practical to get an effective amount of antifreeze into the lines I would do it. But there isn't. So in the motorhome, I take the same approach - blow the lines out with compressed air. But I also suck 2 gallons of pink stuff through the system via the water pump and let it run into the drains. For less than $10 and 15 minutes of work it's worth the peace of mind. I had to replace a lot of freeze damaged lines when I first got it, despite being told it was properly winterized before it was stored (abandoned).

I do know the instructions for my new Dometic 310 toilet say that you must run antifreeze through it. They go on to say that valve damage due to freezing is not covered under warranty and go so far as to include a picture of a freeze-damaged valve (so you know that they know what it looks like, so don't try). I suppose compressed air might get enough water out of the valve, but better safe than sorry.

Don't forget the black tank spray/flush line, if your rig is so equipped.

Water is somewhat unique in that it expands as it freezes. Gasses (air) and most other liquids do not. The point of winterizing is to displace the water in the system so that there is not enough to expand and cause problems if the temperature gets below 32 degrees long enough.

Blowing out the lines is quick and simple and gets rid of water, and there’s nothing to leave a taste in the system the following spring. I have always chosen this method and have had zero issues.

Some people cannot reach a comfort level without putting pink anti-freeze in the lines. Either way done correctly is effective. Forget to clear any of your lines with either method and you may have problems.

Wayne

K Charles wrote:
We put antifreeze in the drains only, not the water lines.

X2. Use a blow out plug to get the water out and fill the traps with antifreeze.
Don't forget the outside shower and ice maker (if equipped).
Pour a couple inches of pink stuff in the toilet.

It's really a matter of comfort. Some just blow the lines out like Drew E and K Charles, however for peace of mind, I do both. Blow the lines out, then fill with antifreeze. I sleep better at night, knowing that there is no chance I left any water in the line and I won't have to deal with a cracked line somewhere in my trailer next spring. Every spring I sterilize my water lines with a mixture of bleach and water, then flush thoroughly, so I don't have any residual taste left behind. Just make sure you bipass the water heater, if you do decide to fill the lines with antifreeze or you'll go through allot of antifreeze.

We put antifreeze in the drains only, not the water lines.

Many people, including yours truly, do just blow out the lines, and that's been one of the standard practices for many years. So long as you do a thorough job, it's effective and inexpensive and doesn't leave the aftertaste of the antifreeze. A few drops of water left in the piping won't cause it to burst.

It is necessary to put antifreeze down the drain traps, including running some through a washing machine if you have one.