Blowing Lines

The latest Trailer Life magazine recommends blowing out the lines THEN adding pink stuff. This seems like duplicate work.
We have always only added pink stuff but do blow out the flush connection where it is difficult to add pink stuff from the outside.
Why do both?

I've never added pink stuff. I only blow my lines out. I open all the lines and blow for a few mins. I do open the low point drains, fresh water tank drain and empty the hot water heater prior to blowing. Haven't had a problem in 6 years. I live in Oregon and we don't get that constant really low temps in winter. I have other friends that just blow the lines and none have had issue either.
IMO it depends on where you live. I certainly wouldn't blow the lines if I were adding the pink stuff. Like mentioned it seems redundant.

I work away from the air pressure. The last 2 valves I open and close are the low point drains.

I use air to blow out the lines, and do not use pink stuff except for the P traps. I start closest to the inlet and work my way out. And don't forget the low point drains...

I always do the cold side first, then the hot side, starting the farthest from the air supply, then reverse the direction. And I do them several times to make use I got as much water out as possible.

I don't know if it really matters which you do first.

Since you didn't ask about the pink stuff, I won't comment on it. :)

gbopp wrote:
I always do the cold side first, then the hot side, starting the farthest from the air supply, then reverse the direction. And I do them several times to make use I got as much water out as possible.

I don't know if it really matters which you do first.

Since you didn't ask about the pink stuff, I won't comment on it. :)

This is what I have done as well. STart furthest from the inlet, open cold at the furthest point and then move closest to the inlet only opening cold after closing the cold on the previous faucet. Then I go back to the furthest and open the hot(closing the cold tap) and do the hot side on everything as I get closer to the inlet. Once done go back closest to inlet and do the same just backwards for extra protection. Just was not sure if I should be opening both cold and hot at the same time. Have not had an issue doing it this way in 7 years but maybe I was just lucky. Never add pink except to traps and grey/black tank and toilet seal.

I do not recommend blowing out potable water lines unless you have a clean air source. Normal air compressors will have rusty water and oil in the tank, that will get into your water system.

Pink stuff is the way to go! Just blowing it out will always leave water laying in a low lying line somewhere. This has the potential to freeze and rupture.

Dr Quick wrote:
I do not recommend blowing out potable water lines unless you have a clean air source. Normal air compressors will have rusty water and oil in the tank, that will get into your water system.

How about blowing through the portable water filter first, which I pitch at the end of the year anyway.

I'd suggest to remove as much water as possible by opening drains and sink valves, toilet, shower, etc. before hooking up the air compressor. There is a lot of energy in even a small slug of water in a pipe with air behind it. That slug of water moving through connections at high speed from the air compressed behind it isn't good for the plumbing.