PA Winterizing Procedure

[pbnjsellers]

Hello, all! We are about to winterize our new (to us) 86 345, and have some questions so we do it right! We will drain the system without blowing air through, then add 8 gallons of RV antifreeze (pink) to the tank, and pump it through all of the faucets, etc., plus (non-bypassable) water heater and ice maker, after draining whatever we can. Is this the best recommendation, to put this substance in all of the lines, as we don't have bypasses installed? It will all just flush out in the spring, and incidentally be protected from algae growth (the bottle says)? Help!

[ALANSD]

Sounds like the way I do mine, although we don't quite get as cold down here as y'all do.
Be prepared to flush it all back out in Spring, and use a cup or so of bleach followed by baking soda as the system will no doubt have an odor. Even the non odor antifreeze leaves an smell behind. If the pink stuff in the right quantity is in all drains and pipes you should be ok. Pour some in the drains as directed also.

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by pbnjsellers

then add 8 gallons of RV antifreeze (pink) to the tank, and pump it through all of the faucets, etc.

Don't forget to make sure you pour some anti-freeze straight out of the bottle down the drains. You need to make sure you displace the water in them. I used to pump anti-freeze through the fresh water tank and really didn't have any problems getting the smell and taste out of the system. You just need to use enough water.

One caution for folks using this method though. Not all water tanks empty out completely so it is possible for residual water to be left in the supposedly "empty" tank. This will dilute the anti-freeze and it will not have the freeze ratings as stated on the bottle.

Jack