Forum Discussion

randman132's avatar
randman132
Explorer
Feb 13, 2014

Strange "pink stuff" freezing problem

I'm new to this site but I've had travel trailers for some time. Every fall I winterize using a gallon of the "pink" RV antifreeze and have never had any issues with any trailers.
Last fall...same routine...ran all faucets until they ran pink. Gallon is almost empty so nothing unusual there. Job done until spring flushing with fresh water.

This spring, I'm getting ready to sell this 5 year old trailer and I suddenly find two puddles of pink stuff (one under the bathroom sink and one near the pump) and a fitting on the kitchen sink that appears to have frozen, breaking the supply line off. Again...another little puddle of pink stuff.

I'm scratching my head. Clearly the antifreeze was in the lines...the lowest the temp got in the trailer was -20F. This stuff is suppose to be good to -50F. Pex isn't suppose to burst when it freezes but I guess it does even when its full of pink rv antifreeze ???????

Has anyone ever experienced this same thing or have any thoughts on this issue ???? I'm thinking it was bad antifreeze...needless to say....I'm more than a little upset.

I guess I'll just have to start blowing out the lines every fall.
  • jaycocreek's avatar
    jaycocreek
    Explorer II
    Feb 13, 2014
    I just drain/blow out system and only use anti-freeze in 'p' traps/toilet bowl.
    I put nothing in/thru lines.


    I do the same. No pink stuff ever goes in my lines, just the traps/drains.Never a problem in central Idaho weather.
  • GaryWT's avatar
    GaryWT
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    I always blow the lines and pump in the pink stuff. Never thought of then blowing out again but depending on how this winter goes I will give that some thought. Have not been in the trailer since early Dec so I do not know what if anything has gone on.
  • Drbolasky's avatar
    Drbolasky
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    JJBIRISH wrote:

    It could be you still had some water in the lines… just a little water will lower it protection level quickly.


    This is most likely the case. I also blow out the water lines, run antifreeze through then blow that out. Have had no issues....knock on wood......:E
  • path1's avatar
    path1
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    I'm back to blowing out air lines again also. My personal opinion is that only a little amount of water dilutes the pink stuff where it won't do its job. I now save the pink stuff for P traps and toilet so gasket doesn't dry out and spilt rest of pink stuff gallon between black and gray tanks. My toilet water valve froze up and I know the toilet was running pink. So back to tried and true method.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 13, 2014
    RV anti-freeze turns slushy at 10*F and should not freeze solid until 'burst temp' which is temp the anti-freeze is rated for (undiluted)
    So if it's rated for -50*F it shouldn't freeze solid until that temp is reached provided it isn't diluted.

    If you didn't fully drain plumbing system prior to pumping anti-freeze it was diluted and with the polar express temps it froze.

    I just drain/blow out system and only use anti-freeze in 'p' traps/toilet bowl.
    I put nothing in/thru lines.
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    According to Dow: Propylene glycol antifreezes are designed to provide burst protection to temperatures of -50° F…
    Ice crystals will start to form in -50 RV Antifreeze at temperatures around +10° F, and it will appear to be solid ice at around -10° F to -15° F.

    Propylene glycol based antifreezes continue to contract and will not expand until temperatures of -50° F are reached, thus providing burst protection for pipes…

    The antifreeze has a freeze point and a burst point… you can get -100 antifreeze for added protection for colder climates and marine engines but it’s not necessary for Rvs in most places…

    See FAQ here…
    http://www.camco.net/assets/catalog/winterizeRV.pdf
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    The pink stuff will freeze but not expand until – 50*…
    It could be you still had some water in the lines… just a little water will lower it protection level quickly… I guess it’s also possible you got a bad bottle…

    I blow out the lines on mine then pump the pink stuff through, then blow the pink stuff out…

    I don’t trust either method as being fool proof… have made enough repairs on units that were just blow out not so many that used the pink stuff… and all the dealers doing winterizations around here use the pink stuff and have to guarantee against freezing…
  • MNRon's avatar
    MNRon
    Explorer
    Feb 13, 2014
    Looked in TT yesterday morning at two extra gals of pink stuff I'd left sitting on floor last fall. Both were frozen like slushy's (not hard, but definitely frozen). Temp outsidide was -17degF, but I hope the stuff in my lines didn't cause a problem!

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