Winterizing Question

enblethen wrote:
There is no need to put anti freeze in the blown out lines

That's totally dependent on the types of lines you have. With PEX, you just need to blow them out. With less expensive, more traditional lines, you'd need to add antifreeze to be safe.

WoodGlue

obgraham wrote:
I'm not all that bright but I never understood the point of a WH bypass.

The bypass is for use when pumping antifreeze through the lines, you don't want to fill the water heater with antifreeze: it takes too much antifreeze, it's too hard to flush out the antifreeze from the heater, and on some heaters it might foster some corrosion. Without the bypass, there isn't any way to pump antifreeze through the hot water lines without filling up the heater with 6 to 10 gallons of antifreeze. But with the bypass, you drain and blow out the heater, switch the bypass, and can then pump the antifreeze through the rest of the system.

There will always be a little water left in the bottom of the water heater, but as you know that's not a problem if it freezes, and there is plenty of room for the ice to expand. There is no reason to allow antifreeze into the heater (and plenty of reasons to avoid doing so.)

You don't need a bypass if you never use antifreeze.

Cecilt wrote:
Do you need to bypass the hot water heater when just blowing out the lines. If not do you just put the plug in and blow away. Tks

I'm not all that bright but I never understood the point of a WH bypass. I do like you say. Drain it all. Put the plug back in and blow the whole system, including the hot water tank and hot water lines. At the end remove the plug again -- there is often residual in the HW tank.

Do you need to bypass the hot water heater when just blowing out the lines. If not do you just put the plug in and blow away. Tks

enblethen wrote:
There is no need to put anti freeze in the blown out lines.

There are differing opinions on this. Some don't put in the antifreeze and it works fine. If you feel safe with not putting it in then that is fine for you. The concern most of us have is that the water can pool and freeze in corners or in low spots possibly causing damage to the lines. There is no way to get out 100% of the water. I blow mine out and then put in antifreeze for good measure. To each their own though.

enblethen wrote:
There is no need to put anti freeze in the blown out lines.
Yes, a small amount of antifreeze in each of the traps will allow some to get to the holding tanks.
Don't forget to operate the toilet valve during blow out procedure.
Blow out your outside shower.
I always double check the water heater by removing the plug after blow out to insure that it is free of water.

x2.

There is no need to put anti freeze in the blown out lines.
Yes, a small amount of antifreeze in each of the traps will allow some to get to the holding tanks.
Don't forget to operate the toilet valve during blow out procedure.
Blow out your outside shower.
I always double check the water heater by removing the plug after blow out to insure that it is free of water.

Empty black and grey tank. Drain fresh water tank. Connect up air to city water keeping one vale always open, open and close valves until no more water. Dump. Some rv anti freeze in each trap. Also some in black tank. When toilet valve is closed pour some in toilet. Keeps valves in good shape. If you have ice maker also blow out that line.

Yes, that is correct along with doing the same for the grey tank. Also run antifreeze through your lines and traps.