Had an off the wall thought this morning. Why not use a salt solution for anti-freeze in the waste water plumbing? Would not want to put it into the fresh water system unless you are sure there are no metalic components (valves, connectors, aluminium water heater, etc) but why not the the p traps under the sinks? Everything I know of in the waste system is pvc.

You probably can use salt as antifreeze. However, to me, the price of RV antifreeze is cheap enough to make it not worth messing with salt.

When brought up in the past, most everybody says it is bad for your system. Other than that...has worked good for me:)

Salt water will still freeze around -9 F. In the north extended temps below 0 is not uncommon.Might work in the more southern states.

Why not just use RV anti-freeze. Gosh, about $2.00 a gallon at Walmart.Salt solution is not as effective and will likely be harmful to the dump valve seals.

Sure, if RV antifreeze cost $25 a gallon and you needed 10 gallons....... Bill

Alternate anti-freze | Good Sam Community

covered_wagon
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
downtheroad wrote:
Why not just use RV anti-freeze.
Gosh, about $2.00 a gallon at Walmart.
Salt solution is not as effective and will likely be harmful to the dump valve seals.

Glad you mentioned that because it's smart if you buy the expensive RV antifreeze as it helps keep the valves in good shape without the alcohol content. Alcohol will help break down the rubber seals over time and hurting the lube action will tear them up when in use.
mike-s
Explorer
Feb 28, 2017
Anti-freze? I prefer frieze!
drsteve
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Even a supersaturated salt solution, which is about 2 pounds of salt per gallon of water, freezes at around -6 F. Here in MI, that would not cut it.
Jebby14
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
salt water freezes way to warm
Campinfan
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2017
salt is corrosive
coolmom42
Explorer II
Feb 27, 2017
Bucky Badger wrote:
portscanner wrote:
Had an off the wall thought this morning. Why not use a salt solution for anti-freeze in the waste water plumbing? Would not want to put it into the fresh water system unless you are sure there are no metalic components (valves, connectors, aluminium water heater, etc) but why not the the p traps under the sinks? Everything I know of in the waste system is pvc.

Because there is usually antifreeze left to pour in the traps, salt solution will likely freeze in very cold climates, and antifreeze is cheap. Don't reinvent the wheel

This.
mgirardo
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Saltwater also freezes, it's called sea ice and it covers about 10 million square miles of the earth. Ocean water freezes at around 28F.

-Michael
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
portscanner wrote:
Had an off the wall thought this morning. Why not use a salt solution for anti-freeze in the waste water plumbing? Would not want to put it into the fresh water system unless you are sure there are no metalic components (valves, connectors, aluminium water heater, etc) but why not the the p traps under the sinks? Everything I know of in the waste system is pvc.

Because there is usually antifreeze left to pour in the traps, salt solution will likely freeze in very cold climates, and antifreeze is cheap. Don't reinvent the wheel
gaymeadowsman
Explorer
Feb 27, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:
Why not just blow out the lines.

A gallon of RV anti-freeze has lasted me going on 3 years now. I blow out my water lines and put about 3/4 cup in my traps. We've been doing that going on 10 year. One good thing about living Alabama, we can be ready for a winter camping trip without much prep time. I've even drained and blown out the lines before leaving the campground in January.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Feb 27, 2017
Why not just blow out the lines.