Okay I did the blow out the air lines thing for the first time. I have a large air compressor and everything necessary to make it as easy as possible. Took me about a 1/2 hour. If I were to do it again it would take about 20 minutes. Then because I am paranoid I ran the pink stuff through. The pink stuff took about 5 minutes and I have nothing to be paranoid about. It also has a lubricant in it which is good for the valves and pump. I should say I do believe the air got all the water out. It to me is just so easy to use the pink stuff and so safe I believe that will be my choice in the future. I did spend the 6 dollars on pink stuff for two gallons. But that seems like a small cost for the ease and convenience. Now of course I have a winterizing valve and water heater bypass. If I did not then the air would be a more appealing option.JMHO

I drain everything, which get all or most of the water out, then fill with pink stuff. Unless you have a dump station, just pumping pink stuff until the pink comes out leave a lot of water in your tanks.

I am anal about winterizing; I always do both. As noted it's only about 5 mins...I can rest easy for 4 months.Bill

I've been just blowing out for a couple years. Only add pink stuff to the traps & toilet.No problems during or after our Pennsylvania winters.

Be sure to pour enough in drains for the traps, and the dump lines and valves. An extra gallon is plenty.

If I do pink, I will definitely not do the air thing. Can't see any reason to do air with the pink, but to each there own. I have always dumped the black and grey tanks into a five gallon bucket and poured it out in the grass. The tanks are of course empty before winterizing. So there is just a gallon or two of water and pink stuff.

Blow out or Use the pink stuff my personal review

46 Replies

crcr
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
We live in S. AZ, so only have 1 or 2 mild freezes per winter. I just blew the water out of our RV lines with our pancake air compressor. We don't drink or cook with the water from the fresh water tank. We camp 30-40 days per year so just take bottled water along for drinking and cooking.

Added pink stuff to the traps only.
Geewizard
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
x2. I flush the water system thoroughly, let it sit for a day or two, and flush it again. And if I do taste anything, it tastes like MiriLAX. :W
_DJ_1
Explorer II
Nov 24, 2015
mkasner wrote:
Wont you be sanitizing the fresh water tank come spring, so isn't this whole is pink better than air / taste of water a mute point?

This was my thought too. I blow mine out then use the pink stuff too. Never noticed any after taste after Spring sanitizing.
Capt__Caper
Explorer
Nov 24, 2015
I do pink stuff...can do anywere any time...fast..takes me 4 minutes to do the Lance and less then a gallon.
On a side note I have a 60 gal compressor with many hoses,fittings etc...and a yard to do it so I know what I'm missing or not missing. I even have a scuba tank with a reworked regulator for portable air.
covered_wagon
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
mkirsch wrote:
What is this "other type" of RV antifreeze?

If you are talking about the "green stuff" that is NOT RV antifreeze.

The bad RV antifreeze is the one with alcohol, Ethylene Glycol, it dries out seals and is hard on plumbing parts. I costs a wee bit less so best to look at the ingredients first before buying. They are both labeled RV Antifreeze.
MORSNOW
Navigator III
Nov 23, 2015
I drain my system and fill with the pink RV anti-freeze, and pour some in each drain (water heater bypassed and annode pulled). Blowing out the lines get most of the water out out, but not all. Heck, have you ever taken a drink with a straw and blew it out? There is still residual fluid on the inside of the straw and it's a perfectly straight 8" tube, can you imagine how much is still in a RV water system? Pink RV anti-freeze is still needed unless you live in the south with only occasional freezes. I'll spend the $5.00 a gallon for piece of mind during my long winters freeze.
mkasner
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Wont you be sanitizing the fresh water tank come spring, so isn't this whole is pink better than air / taste of water a mute point?
Johno02
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
Use the KISS method. With pump off, just open all faucets, open low-point drains, and water tank drain, then let it sit until all the water quits running out. Don't forget the toilet bowl sprayer, and the outside shower valves also. Drain and bypass the water heater. After it quits, all the water lines will be as empty as if you had blown them out. Pump in the antifreeze, pour some in the drains, and you are done. Don't forget the water heater.
jimh406
Explorer III
Nov 23, 2015
Theoretically, there would be oil in the air hose if it is an oil based compressor, but I don't personally believe there would be enough to cause harm. I don't think I've had to refill mine in the last 10 years and I think it started with about 2 ozs.

You could always use a bicycle tire pump. I used 1/2 gallon of RV antifreeze instead.
Mike008
Explorer
Nov 23, 2015
hedgehopper wrote:
Good point! Do you have a recommendation for a compressor that would not have these problems?

I thought of another option if someone was concerned about this. A 40 cu. ft. nitrogen bottle, regulator and hose. The set up would run around $150-$200. It's dry and clean. I pay around $20 a refill. You could blow out the piping many times on a single fill.

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Blow out or Use the pink stuff my personal review

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