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Rumtan's avatar
Rumtan
Explorer
Sep 21, 2013

Blowing out lines

I have never blown out my lines before, and would like to know how its done. Do you only hook up by the water pump like adding antifreeze? How much air pressure do you need? Thank you for your help here, as I am a seasoned camper yet a rookie line-blower.
  • For winterizing in my deep freeze region, I like to do both "air blowing", pump in RV Antifreeze and allow all low points to naturally drain.

    For me, I bi-pass the how water tank. Remote HW tank plug and let it gravity drain. Leave the white plastic plug out for the winder months.

    Blow Air using BarneyS instructions (see above post).

    When only air is coming out, I then use its 12V pump and "pump in" RV Antifreeze - using furthest faucet check first.

    Remember to air blow and RV Antifreeze fill the toilet water pipe. And, hang the outside shower and inside shower head hose as well. Thus, letting them naturally drain for a few hours.

    Last step is to open each tape 1/3 (to take pressure off their rubber seals) and to open all low point drains as well. Thus, allowing the RV anti-freeze to gravity drain as well.

    I also drain and inner wash its grey and black holding tanks.

    Afterwards, I then pour lots of RV antifreeze in kitchen sink, bathroom sink goose necks. And, add 1" or so of RV anti-freeze within toilet bowl trap. And, I pour RV anti-freeze in empty black water tank as well.

    Overkill? In most regions YES. But in my deep freeze region, both air blowing, RV anti-freeze and draining all low points afterwards is best.
  • You have no idea how grateful I am for this advice, THANK YOU ! (I was afraid to ask and look dumber than I really am)
  • I would drain the HW tank they engage the bypass valve. You can purchase an adapter that screws into the hookup for the fresh water hose. This is the water hookup as if you were on city water. This screw in adapter has an air valve intake on the top and you hook up your air hose at the point. One could also use the winterizing hose on the intake side of the water pump and snap a dust or sawdust blower nozzle on your compressor hose. The nozzle would fit in the bypass hose you would normally use to draw RV antifreeze through the pump into the water system.
  • You get a Schrader style valve that screws into your city water connection. Should be available almost evry where, Walmart, hardware stores,
    I apply about 35 pounds of air pressure from compressor. Compressor needs to have sufficient volume. I go through a open each valve one at a time and let blow until water stops coming out.
    Dont' forget toilet and outside shower if equipped.
    I do drain the water heater first, then blow out hot water lines. I then remove plug from water heater and make sure the all the water is gone from tank.
  • 1. Purchase a blowout plug.

    2. thread it into the city water hookup spot on your RV.

    3.Set your compressor to 40-50lbs output.

    4. Open a faucet inside the trailer.

    5. Connect hose from compressor to blowout plug. You can get a device that will hold the hose on the plug or have a partner hold it on there.

    6. Open up all the faucets, one at a time, in the trailer. Don't forget to flush the toilet - including the sprayer if you have one. I usually open a new faucet before closing the previous one just to make sure I don't build up too much pressure in the lines.

    7. If you have a black tank rinse system, make sure you blow out that line also.

    8. Pour a bit of pink antifreeze into each drain and into the toilet.

    9. On my trailer, there is a valve on the water pump line for winterizing that I can open to force air back through the pump to the fresh water tank. I open that to clear any water out of the pump. If you don't have one, then I would take a line off the pump and blow it out that way.

    You are done! :)
    Barney