today I was in the TT and was getting ready to head south, well last fall when I winterized I only blew out the lines since I could not figure out how to add the pink stuff with out a winterizing kit and found it too hard to add one at that time. And since I didn't want to put the pink into the water tank. well, when I turned the valve behind the water heater, I heard a sound like water running and saw some water in the pipes moving around. That scared me, I just knew with the - degree winter we had I would have broken pipes. but I saw no leaks, I'm telling you right now I will never just blow out the water lines again. it is blow them out and add anti freeze even if it means using an eye dropper. I will find a way to get the pink in one way or the other. I know I have seen the posts asking if blowing only is OK, I'm going on record to say No it is not OK. I'm sure some of you out there have been lucky, but your luck may run out.

Good advice to give others next fall when the winterizing topics start to pop up. Hope you don't discover any leaks down the road.

Unfortunately due to the extreme cold in many areas I think there will be more than the typical amount of leaks this Spring.

Hope you don't have any problems with it! Maybe you got enough out so that no damage was done. As for getting the af in, if you have ready access to your pump, its fairly easy. Get a same sized connector and about 3-4' of hose. Identify the inlet connection coming in from the tank, remove that connector and screw the new one on, with hose attached. Put the end of the hose in the bottle, turn on the pump. Voila! Lines will fill with af. Remove the hose and replace the fw tank connection.

However we do it we sometimes always wonder in the spring. Either way works if done correctly. Otherwise RV manufacturers wouldn't recommend you can use either way. If you are uncomfortable blowing out the line then use the other method. Both work and are OK. Either way done incorrectly has its own problems.

What do you blow out the lines with? I have an air compressor but there's no way I would blow the air from that thing into my drinking water.Would it be possible to just use the water pump to blow the lines out? Can it be run dry and will it generate enough air pressure to get the job done?

winterizing | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Dick_641
Explorer
Jan 16, 2014
Blowing lines out if done right is good no matter what temp it gets, if it is not done right or if you don't trust yourself blowing them out then you ought to us the pink stuff. I've done it both ways an prefer blowing the lines out better an just use the pink stuff in traps, just do what works for you
brirene
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
BarneyS wrote:
The antifreeze will turn to slush but it does not expand like water does so therefor no damage to pipes or other objects.
Barney

I believe this to be true too. I left a half bottle of fresh af in the fiver when winterizing and checked it when we were around fifteen below. I was a bit surprised to find it frozen fairly solid, with a little bit running when I turned it upside down. I'm assuming it doesn't expand when at those temps.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Jan 15, 2014
The antifreeze will turn to slush but it does not expand like water does so therefor no damage to pipes or other objects.
Barney
jeddar
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Another question regarding Anti freeze. I used Camco brand from my local dealer in the fall to winterize. I noticed the AF in the toilet was like a slush on many of the colder days here in Massachusetts. Any of you ever notice that? In previous years, other brands did not slush up, they remained a liquid in the bowl.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Jan 15, 2014
Nelsons RV in Boise Idaho winterizes by air only and service RV's clear to Valley county where it gets below zero frequently and they said they have never had issue just blowing out the lines properly. I started doing the same and never had issue either, in central Idaho.
Lantley
Nomad
Jan 15, 2014
gbopp wrote:
Last winter I started just blowing my lines out and not adding antifreeze. I had no problems in the spring.
I blew them out again last fall and did not add antifreeze.

We have had several days/nights of 0 degree temperatures so far this winter.

I'll find out in the spring if I caused any damage by not adding antifreeze. :E

Not to single you out, but your scenario is representative of those I worry about. Using air alone may have been adequate most prior winners but this winter was not typical for most of the US.
Hopefully you will not have any leaks due to the extreme cold we experienced. Let us know how you make out in the Spring.
gbopp
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
Last winter I started just blowing my lines out and not adding antifreeze. I had no problems in the spring.
I blew them out again last fall and did not add antifreeze.

We have had several days/nights of 0 degree temperatures so far this winter.

I'll find out in the spring if I caused any damage by not adding antifreeze. :E
brirene
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
westend wrote:
mrekim wrote:

Would it be possible to just use the water pump to blow the lines out? Can it be run dry and will it generate enough air pressure to get the job done?

No, your water pump won't blow out your water lines.

X2. Plus it will leave water in your pump which will freeze.
Taz_23
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
WyoTraveler wrote:
However we do it we sometimes always wonder in the spring. Either way works if done correctly. Otherwise RV manufacturers wouldn't recommend you can use either way. If you are uncomfortable blowing out the line then use the other method. Both work and are OK. Either way done incorrectly has its own problems.

X2
westend
Explorer
Jan 15, 2014
mrekim wrote:
What do you blow out the lines with? I have an air compressor but there's no way I would blow the air from that thing into my drinking water.

Would it be possible to just use the water pump to blow the lines out? Can it be run dry and will it generate enough air pressure to get the job done?
It might be easiest to get an air line filter if you're worried about contaminating your water supply lines with compressed air. I think most RV'ers are using small oil-less air compressors so there is no worry there.

No, your water pump won't blow out your water lines.

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