RV Antifreeze or Regular Antifreeze

If you have it in the traps, you'll have to get it out of there, too!

Was the cheaper RV antifreeze not available?

Yes, it is a big deal, Highly toxic, you better flush the fresh water many times. I would take care of it right now before some accidently forgets and takes a drink.

spadoctor wrote:
Being toxic is not a big deal in a small amount if diluted well and not dumped on the ground.

Actually, it IS a big deal, it's also illegal in every jurisdiction in North America to dump it into a septic system or municipal sewer.

Being toxic is not a big deal in a small amount if diluted well and not dumped on the ground. The big issue could be the seals of the gate valves. Regular antifreeze has been known to make the seals swell and tear when used the following season. I suggest you remove the antifreeze now....flush and add the pink stuff now and not wait 6 months

full_mosey wrote:

derh20 wrote:
i just put regular antifreeze in the tanks and P traps. Is that a problem? what is the difference?

Where does this toxic antifreeze go when you drain the tanks? :S

HTH;
John

Exactly....Please do not put it down the sewer or dump station....

You should never need any anti freeze in the gray or black tanks, the pink stuff from winterizing your lines will go into the tanks and I just leave it there until dewinterizing.

derh20 wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be sure to drain it in a safe manner.

And remember next year. You don't need to put antifreeze into the holding tanks. All you need to do is drain the fresh, and grey, and leave a little in the black. Freezing water only hurts anything when there is no room for expansion. A tiny bit of water in a 30, or 40 gal tank. Has plenty of room to grow.

derh20 wrote:
Thanks for all the feedback. I'll be sure to drain it in a safe manner.

I'm sorry but using regular antifreeze in a rv is a VERY POOR IDEA. RV antifreeze is cheap and non toxic.

If you winterize using the rv antifreeze the amount you run out of the faucet into the drain will protect the p-trap and dump valves provided you start with empty tanks.

The only safe way to dispose of auto antifreeze is to take it to hazardous waste collection area.