I have blown out all of the lines 3 times now, I just keep thinking a little water will pool somewhere and freeze - call me paranoid. Question; when you blow out, does that take care of the fresh water pump? If not, should I run just enough anti freeze to protect it? 1st winterize, so just checking...Thank you!

I have always struggled with the same question. I have always pumped anti-freeze through the system after blowing the lines out. This takes care of the pump and is cheap insurance against freezing and breaking a line. Also, do not forget to pour anti-freeze down each of the lines.

Sorry, that should ha read to pour anti-freeze down each of the drains.

You didn't mention the waste system which is also important - did you purge the water from the p-traps? I also blow out my lines but after weighing the possibility of water pooling, as you mentioned, and the damage it can cause I also use antifreeze. I first drain the hot water tank and turn the hot water bypass valve to "bypass". That takes care of the HW tank but you will still need to run antifreeze through the hot water lines.I have a bypass on my water pump and can pull the antifreeze right out of the jug and through the lines. Open each water valve individually until the pink antifreeze comes thru. The antifreeze that comes out of the faucets goes down the drain to protect the p-traps and waste tanks. Make sure you don't forget your waste tank flush system, if you have one, and the outdoor shower. Also the commode.Hope that helps.

If you lived in Texas then I'd agree that blowing out the lines, one time would be good. If I lived where it gets really cold, I'd pump antifreeze in the water system, close the hot water heater bypass and drain the tank, pour antifreeze in the traps and put some antifreeze in the holding tanks. Where you normally have water, replace with antifreeze. Except the hot water heater, I'd probably just leave it drained.

In northern Wis I blow the lines, make sure the H20 heater is drained, draw a pint of antifreeze in the pump, pour antifreeze in p traps, open the top vents, set the mouse traps and wait for spring.

Blow out winterizing question | Good Sam Community

Ted22
Explorer
Nov 09, 2013
Drain out all the water you can, including the hot water tank. Use the bypass. Then dump 5 gals of pink into water tank (hey - it's cheap and easy) Run pink through the system.
And..drink bottled water unless you plan to use bleach or whatever to clean your tanks.
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Nov 07, 2013
Bob1180 wrote:
Is there any order that you blow out the lines? Like the farthest fixture first, or the closest first? Then the down lines.

* * edited * *
I start by draining the hot water tank, turning on the HW bypass, and uncorking the low-point drains, then close the low-points and blow everything out in any order - then blow everything out a second time - should not blow out any additional water the second time. Drain your low-points again and you should have all the water out.
Bob1180
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
Is there any order that you blow out the lines? Like the farthest fixture first, or the closest first? Then the down lines.
glazier
Explorer II
Nov 03, 2013
TakingThe5th wrote:
Old Duck wrote:
What am I missing, can't figure out why the lines need blown out, then pump in antifreeze.? I've blown them out, not using the pink stuff, last year used the pink stuff. I but a bunch when it is on sale so get it for about $3. Cheap peace of mind if we get. cold snap and flushes easy the 2 or 3 times we winter camp

I blow the lines out AND use the pink. There are two ways to get your fresh water when camping - city water or the fresh water tank via the pump, I blow out the lines using the city water inlet and I pull in the pink stuff using the pump after I drain the fresh water tank.

I worried that the city water line might still contain water if I simply pumped the pink stuff, since there is a check valve at the inlet that could create an air block and hold some water in that line. Blowing that line out eliminates that possibility.

Exactly, and I blow out the black tank flush before I add the pink stuff.

So blowing the lines out, then pumping the pink stuff covers all the bases in my opinion.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
mudmaker wrote:
Just a thought. Is there a p trap for the clothes washer? I'm sure there is somewhere. I have a new unit and never had one with w/d hookups. This one has never had a washer in it so I guess there technically shouldn't be any water in the washer drain. Just got me wondering.

There is a p trap in washer drain. Check your washer manual. I have Splendide. Pour half gallon of pink stuff in washer and spin it out down the drain.
C_Schomer
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013
I never had trouble in Co. I stored the pump in the garage and hooked the air hose to the pump discharge line to blow out the system. After blowing the water lines, I held a rag over the drains and blew them out and put the drain plugs in. Craig
mowermech
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013
enblethen wrote:
I blow out the lines, remove screen filter from the pump, run pump for 5-10 seconds, drain water heater, flush water then dump a cup or two of anti freeze done drains and in toilet bowl.

Yep, me, too.
It works.
Just as it does for the underground sprinklers.
JoshInReno
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013
TakingThe5th wrote:
enblethen wrote:
I wonder how many people use the pink stuff and then drink bottled water?

True

That's us right there.

90% of our water system gets used for the toilet. The other 10% is used for washing of dishes/hands/teeth, etc.

For what it's worth, I usually blow out the lines - then pink into drains and tanks. I am anticipating a very, very cold winter this year here. So I am going to pump a bunch of pink into the system.

I have a nice, new bypass with the suction hose sitting here in the box that I can't install, even though I would like to. Why can't I install it? Because when the previous owner replaced the water pump, they mounted it in such a way that I would have to re-engineer a large portion of my plumbing system to make room for the bypass. They mounted the pump in a spot with almost zero clearance between other obstructions.
TakingThe5th
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013
enblethen wrote:
I wonder how many people use the pink stuff and then drink bottled water?

True
Its4mykids
Explorer
Nov 01, 2013
I take pump out and put in house, cap pump line, bypass and drain water heater, drain fresh tank, blow out all lines, dump about 2c antifreeze in each drain, another gallon down toilet (to keep valve o-ring lubed), and leave it for the winter. 20 years in Chicagoland winters - no problem. The first year I used the antifreeze and tasted it for months. Will never do that again. Don't forget to blow out "hidden" lines that you can forget about - Washer line, outside showers, main drain lines under camper (if you have them). Also, close all valves when done. This keeps the system "sealed" and prevents condensation from building up which CAN pool and then freeze.

Forum Discussion

Blow out winterizing question

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Winterizing Question

Quick winter question

Question about winterizing

Winterizing Question

Winterizing question