Freezing Temps And Tanks Not Draining
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Dec-09-2016 05:01 PM
The temp last night was 11 degrees and the high today about 28, similar to this for yesterday. It will be 40 degrees tomorrow and 32 tomorrow night. 48 on Sunday. Central Kansas - a place we will flee as soon as possible.
We have Buddy Heater, the big one in storage that we can access. I have searched here and googled for ideas. I wish I could better pinpoint where it may be frozen, it is not the thingy that you pull open as that is fine. I am thinking maybe some water went into the tank, formed an ice cube near the outlet and it is blocking the whole deal.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Yes, I know this may seem less than bright, but sold the house and the weather decided to be a good 20 degrees colder than last year. This is what we have to work with.
Thanks!
Appreciating each day
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Dec-15-2016 05:38 AM
PaisleyDale wrote:
I lived in a 5th wheel for five cold winter with temps getting down to zero F. My water pipes froze inside several times without ever a brake.
I had heat tape attached to a hard brown water hose and covered it with 2" foam pipe insulation this heat tape also covered the exposed hose bib.
I covered the valves for both the black and grey tanks and the exposed pipes before the valves with tin foil then heat tape. This kept my valves working all winter.
I always had my grey valve open and connected to the slinky and the slinky rested in an elevated cradle. I never had a problem with this system.
Excellent advice. You covered it all! We didn't get the fresh water hose bib covered and that was the last thing that froze. So far, and we are expecting a 2 degree night, so far only done 15, the Reflectix shielding and drop light have kept the tanks flowing although, in order to keep up and not end up full, we empty the tanks after we shower every evening. The good thing is that we near the office/bathhouse for backup water/toilet "services".
Thanks!
Appreciating each day
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Dec-14-2016 01:50 PM
I had heat tape attached to a hard brown water hose and covered it with 2" foam pipe insulation this heat tape also covered the exposed hose bib.
I covered the valves for both the black and grey tanks and the exposed pipes before the valves with tin foil then heat tape. This kept my valves working all winter.
I always had my grey valve open and connected to the slinky and the slinky rested in an elevated cradle. I never had a problem with this system.
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Dec-13-2016 11:50 AM
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Dec-12-2016 02:01 PM
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Dec-12-2016 12:34 PM
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Dec-11-2016 03:48 PM
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Dec-11-2016 02:18 PM
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Dec-10-2016 07:50 PM
It WILL FREEZE if temps get low enough. But it does not expand - so it will not damage plumbing if it freezes.
Freezing will not damage plumbing, it is the expansion of water when it freezes that damages plumbing.
So it may freeze enough to stop the tank from draining, but still be protecting the rig.
“Not all who wander are lost.”
"You were supposed to turn back at the last street."
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Dec-10-2016 05:07 PM
Just a dumb idea, white Styrofoam panels and making an enclosure around the grey and black tanks with a light bulb to maintain some heat, even cardboard should work to make a closure around the tanks and a heat source, just an idea.Not a dumb idea at all.
FWIW, I built a plywood and styrofoam enclosure around a pipe array, outside, in St. Paul Harbor. One single 100W light bulb kept this 4' x 8' x 4' enclosure toasty warm. We were able to keep that water service active down to subzero temperatures.
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Dec-10-2016 03:15 PM
I insulated my tanks with expanding foam and placed insulating tubing on the water lines, water tank is under the sofa/bed and the water heater is next to it and all water lines are inside the cabin, only the grey and black tanks are under and exposed, word of caution when using the expanding foam make sure that you build a barrier so that it has a stop, otherwise it will really get out of hand.
navegator
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Dec-10-2016 12:50 PM
Thanks everyone. Will test out the Reflectix and drop light Tuesday night when we have another hard freeze.
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Dec-10-2016 09:59 AM
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KF6HCH
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Dec-10-2016 09:37 AM
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel