Can't user 5er again this winter - replace red goo in pipes?

Fizz wrote:
We seem to go through this discussion every year.

Antifreeze is not used to protect the plumbing. It is used to flush out the water, the only liquid that expands when frozen.

Lets put the urban myth about water being the only liquid that expands when frozen. Amongst the elements the following are a few that are less dense as solids than liquids. (e.g. expand when solidifying)

gallium, silicon, germanium, bismuth, plutonium.

another very very very common compound that relies on the solid being less dense than the liquid is type metal used in printing. That way there are no voids in the type when it is solidified. (an alloy of antimony and tin)

another compound that is less dense as a solid is acetic acid.

While the vast majority of materials are more dense as solid vs. liquid there are many exceptions, water being probably the most common.

Gdetrailer wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:
I'll see your one :R and raise you two :R:R

Thanks for the science.

You can be as sarcastic (and perhaps insensitive to others) if you like.

That's funny! :)

As already pointed out multiple times, the antifreeze simply displaces any water in the pipes. Once the water's gone, it doesn't matter anymore. You don't need to add more antifreeze.

I use antifreeze to winterize, then drain it. That way that evil chemical taste/smell doesn't have time to penetrate into the lines. Though it's probably just fine, I can't bring myself to trust just blowing out the lines.

Boon Docker wrote:
I'll see your one :R and raise you two :R:R

Thanks for the science.

You can be as sarcastic (and perhaps insensitive to others) if you like.

Truth is, plastic of any type can and does absorb minute amounts of odor/taste particles from the fluids contained within.

Once cleared of the offending material, there will be small trace amounts left which over time will now leach back into the desired material.

In the case of RV antifreeze, yes, the plastic does absorb trace amounts while it is in there.

Yes, you can remove and flush with copious amounts of water to the point you might not be able to taste or detect.. BUT, there are folks who will still detect the trace amounts that are still there even with copious amounts of flushing.

My DW is hyper sensitive to chemical odors which does cause severe Asthma attacks. She developed a hyper sensitivity to chemical odors in the last 5 yrs, have find and use no/low odor detergents/softener for clothes, low odor dish soap, hand soap, hand cream, absolutely no perfumes what so ever. Gets even more sensitive to something silly like taking a shower..

I for one refuse to add something to the water system that has the potential for leaving trace amounts of chemical odors. Not to mention requires considerable amount of wasted water in flushing the RV antifreeze out to the point I can't detect it.

So, I do not and will not add RV antifreeze to my RV water system. Instead I use nothing but air pressure to blow the lines out. This method has worked for me very well for the 20 winters that I have had RVs..

People are so scared of leaving trace amounts of water in the lines, trace amounts are OK as long as there is plenty of air space for the water to expand when it freezes. The expansion is the issue and as long as you allow air space it won't bust anything.

Interestingly enough, this yr as I was doing my winterizing, I decided to crack open the line on the water pump after blowing out the water.. That connection was BONE DRY. Not one trace of water existed in the line to the pump nor inside the pump.. The air blowing past the connection created enough vacuum to pull the water out of the line connecting to the pump..

Once again.. "Science".

pianotuna wrote:
blow the lines and put some pink in the traps.

THIS is the best advice!!! I forgot to blow out the traps and add antifreeze "ONCE".

No way would I use that SCMIDT in my potable water lines.

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
I always drain the water from the lines and tanks, then pump antifreeze through the lines. Then I drain the lines so the last thing in them was the antifreeze.

If I was you, I would not worry about this.

Yup!

Blow the lines clear, push antifreeze through the lines, and then blow the lines clear again. Anything remaining in the lines won't freeze.

Enjoy,

Perry

Boon Docker wrote:
No need to replace. Alcohol does not evaporate within a closed system. Just pour some more in the p-traps and you are good to go until spring.

^^^This.

Yes, technically trace amounts might be lost but not any measurable amount.

I'll see your one :R and raise you two :R:R

Thanks for the science.

Boon Docker wrote:
Not sure what kind of water lines you have. Antifreeze was left once for two years in my trailer. Flushed the lines once after and there was no antifreeze taste or smell.

:R

Plastic is not 100% "impermeable" and can most certainly absorb/transfer odor or taste from one liquid to the next.

SEE HERE

"Does plastic absorb odors?
Plastic containers are very commonly used to store food. Many times, the food leaves an unpleasant or strong odor which does not go even after washing and drying the container. This is because plastic has a tendency to absorb the odor which then becomes very difficult to get rid of.

Also know, does plastic hold smell?

Plastic is also often a large non-polar molecule. The fragrance can absorb into the plastic and come back out later. Water and isopropyl alcohol are both polar and won't dissolve the fragrance very well. Soak that thing in detergent for a while to get rid of the smell.

Similarly, why can you smell through plastic? Smell is physical contact between molecules and sensory cells in your nose. If you smell something through a wrapper or bag, yes, the odoriferous molecules are penetrating through the plastic. Many plastics are porous to oxygen, which can seep in (it's called mass transfer) and spoil the contents.

"

"PEX" IS a type of "plastic" and is no exception to the party..

SEE HERE

"Odor or aftertaste caused by improper storage, installation or from municipal or groundwater (well water) water contamination. PEX, like many other plastics (i.e. polypropylene jugs used for milk and juice) may absorb odors. If improperly stored or installed next to a source of odor, PEX may transfer it (albeit, in small amounts) to water, resulting in unpleasant smell or aftertaste.
A number of residents living in areas with increased industrial activities (drilling, manufacturing) have also reported gasoline-like or chemical odor/taste in water. In both cases, these issues do not originate in PEX plumbing systems.

Possible solutions:

Install a water filter – see above.
Avoid installation and storage which may expose PEX to unpleasant or harmful odors."

Ahh.. "Science"..

The only way alcohol can get through PEX is the same way water can: if there was a hole already in the pipe to let it out.