Pex pipes
This will be the first time I winter in the camper. Will the pex bust if it freezes? Thanks in advance.
Forum Discussion
There is a You Tube Video.. A plumber took several assorted brands of PEX, also a copper tube, Filled them all with water and applied shark bite fittings to the ends (One end before he filled, one after) put 'em in the freezer and let 'em freeze solid.
Then he took them out. .On the copper tube the shark bite had been pushed off one end by the expanding ice as it froze.
on the pex they looked same as they did when he put them in save a bit "Frosty".
He cut them open showing the solid ice inside.
PEX freezes very well, it has enough give to survive,, I've frozen mine a couple (2)of times and not had any problems once thawed.
What does NOT freeze well is the elbows and connecters on the end of the pipe.
For this reason it is suggested if you are subject to freezing you open all valves and blow, Gabriel, Blow (Sorry could not resist that line) using an air compressor with a regulator (Set to like 50 PSI) blow the lines out till you run out of air (I use a 4 gallon tank type,, You must use a tank type) or you no longer get water out the low point drains.
Wait for the thing to re-charge and blow again, and again.. like five to 10 times.. After the first blow or two cycle the ice maker manually to drain it back into the lines,, Run the water pump for oh, a minute (dry) to empty it into the lines then blow again.
(Also before you blow drain and bypass the water heater)
Some folks worry about the tiny amount of water that will remain in the lines, Don't. the low points will be PEX not connectors save for the low point drains and those are open so their low point is THE GROUND.
Now pink (RV antifreeze) drains, and toilets.. Job done. You will need 1-1.5 gallons depending on your floor plan (1.5 bath 1.5 gallon).
Then he took them out. .On the copper tube the shark bite had been pushed off one end by the expanding ice as it froze.
on the pex they looked same as they did when he put them in save a bit "Frosty".
He cut them open showing the solid ice inside.
PEX freezes very well, it has enough give to survive,, I've frozen mine a couple (2)of times and not had any problems once thawed.
What does NOT freeze well is the elbows and connecters on the end of the pipe.
For this reason it is suggested if you are subject to freezing you open all valves and blow, Gabriel, Blow (Sorry could not resist that line) using an air compressor with a regulator (Set to like 50 PSI) blow the lines out till you run out of air (I use a 4 gallon tank type,, You must use a tank type) or you no longer get water out the low point drains.
Wait for the thing to re-charge and blow again, and again.. like five to 10 times.. After the first blow or two cycle the ice maker manually to drain it back into the lines,, Run the water pump for oh, a minute (dry) to empty it into the lines then blow again.
(Also before you blow drain and bypass the water heater)
Some folks worry about the tiny amount of water that will remain in the lines, Don't. the low points will be PEX not connectors save for the low point drains and those are open so their low point is THE GROUND.
Now pink (RV antifreeze) drains, and toilets.. Job done. You will need 1-1.5 gallons depending on your floor plan (1.5 bath 1.5 gallon).
