Should I run my heater?
I live in the central valley of California where we experience relatively mild winters. Usually down to the low 40's high 30's is the coldest we'll get. I didn't winterize our trailer, but did drain a...
Forum Discussion
pompomgirl wrote:
Any comments on the method of just draining the water and blowing it out? We are supposed to be down to 18 this weekend.
Drain the low points and the fresh water tank first. Leave the faucets open to ensure the lines drain.
Turn the valves to bypass the water heater and drain the water heater - I remove the anode.
If you have a built-in water filter - remove it and make sure it is drained and the container empty - I then reattach the filter to ensure the lines are air-tight.
Attach a blow-out plug and set the air compressor PSI to no more than 45 PSI.
I blow out cold first - opening each faucet in turn. Then hot. It goes faster with two people.
Take off the blowout plug - but leave all faucets open.
Put enough RV antifreeze in each P-trap to ensure the fresh water has washed out - and to get enough into the tank to dilute any water in the grey tank. Don't forget the shower/ tub drain.
Put enough RV antifreeze in the toilet to ensure that the black tank water is diluted - and enough to ensure the RV antifreeze goes down to the dump valves.
I also go to the water heater bypass valves and turn all of them to a 45 degree angle to ensure no water is trapped in that small plastic ball. I've seen those type valves break internally.
Sounds extensive and lengthy - but really takes about 20-30 minutes the first time, and down to 10-15 minutes after doing it a couple times.
