how important is this step in winterizing?

I would personally want that valve pressed eliminating any chance of water being left in the system. The check valve really needs antifreeze in it to ensure a proper job. Will antifreeze mix with the water left...maybe but finishing the job makes more sense than a spring repair replacing that check valve assembly

I've missed that step twice. After running the antifreeze through the system it can actually mix in with the water. I've never had an issue with it.

BTW, when you press in on that valve make sure there is no pressure in the system. Not only will you get a face full, you can also dislodge the valve and unseat it. With the pump off open a faucet to reliev any pressure, leave it open and gently press the valve in. Antifreeze will slowly trickle out.

If his system has the low point hot and cold drain lines, and he opened them and the faucets to purge all water out, then the chances of any water being up at that inlet are slim to none. It is higher than the pump and those drains so the water will by nature seek the lowest point in the system. Once I drained all the lines I cracked open the line from that inlet and it had no water in it.

Good thing the black tank flush was mentioned, that is one that I completely forgot about and will make sure I take care of it tomorrow. I should be able to blow that out without worry, I hope, since the black tank is vented.

#1nobby wrote:
Best bet is to fire up the water pump again and press in that check valve until red comes out.

"Best bet" is to IGNORE this erroneous advice and NOT push in that check valve stem with the system under full pressure, as YOU found out yourself. Instead, turn the pump OFF, open a faucet for a few seconds to relieve some of the pressure in the system, then push in that check valve stem. Do it this way and you won't displace the rubber O ring inside the check valve, causing it to leak.

Push on end of check valve plunger ONLY when pressure is off cold water system......otherwise you can dislodge the o-ring on end of plunger and then check valve will NOT seal.

ALSO - if he has a black tank flush line, that is not part of any other water system. It will probably have a low spot it it that will freeze and break the line if it isn't blown out or have antifreeze put in it - been there, done that...........

Bill

al7601 wrote:



*Remove the small screen over the inlet and push in on the valve with a small screwdriver until you see antifreeze. Replace the screen

There may or may not be water in that "City Water" line.

Chances are....if he used the onboard water pump to flush all his lines with antifreeze that that 2 feet of line probably got bled off.......but...he'll never know until spring, eh?

Best bet is to fire up the water pump again and press in that check valve until red comes out.


In this pic....the screen is already removed.

Dick_B wrote:
Does he have a flush connection?

no he doesn't

Does he have a flush connection?

I believe that refers to the check valve at the city water connection. Unless he is a long way from the RV, he should go do it. Otherwise he may have to replace the valve.