Getting ready for the freeze-Winterize

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by KBAR

so....If we all use the bypass at the water pump and not the holding tanks the smell/ taste of antifreeze should dissipate faster?

Hi

We never put any anti-freeze in any of the tanks (other than the sewage tanks). Our experience was that it took an incredibly long time to get things flushed.

Exactly what were the symptoms? Well, we could flush and flush and flush. Turn off the faucet and wait a few hours. Come back for water and the first glass out of the faucet has the taste / smell of the anti-freeze in it. We ignored it at first and discovered that is .... errr ... not a good idea unless you ....errr ... are in need of the side effects.

Bob

[Silvr_Bullet]

Am I missing something here? Why would you want to send Water into the opposite direction than where you want it to go back toward the fresh water tank? There are certainly less complicated ways of getting water out of the the Hot Water reservoir, one solution is siphoning out with a small diameter flexible tube inserted into the drain plug downward can drain out the very most of what’s in there, and you can readily see the result of water extracted.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

. . .
I've always blown the lines & never got more than a CUP from blowing the WH, Blow everything and leave the system open, add AF to the traps and be done. ��
. . .

Exactly.

Most AS owner’s manuals state that you leave water in the bottom of the water heater after draining at the plug opening. The tank is shaped like an ice tray, with a large curve at the bottom. The lens-shaped water freezes but does not cause any damage because it is free to rise up a bit. The risk in Winterization is not freezing water, but rather freezing water which is constrained in a closed space!

Fill a plastic bottle 1/4 full, cap it, and lie it down in the freezer. After the water is frozen . . .

. . . is the bottle damaged?

[Silvr_Bullet]

I believe the manual (s) state ‘water remains’ that not the same as saying it wouldn’t be beneficial to remove ad much as possible.

[Silvr_Bullet]

Attached is from Atwood the manufacturer of the Hot Water heater. This is provided by Airstream, so I think they would like owners to read the accompaniments to be used in conjunction with the Airstream Manual.

KISS ( not the kind you may use when you look in the mirror )

[Silvr_Bullet]

Attachment I meant to send Atwood Heater Manual

[OTRA15]

Read the last sentence in paragraph 4!

[Silvr_Bullet]

I have, have you before now?

[OTRA15]

[ . . . passing on further discussion, in view of Atwood's advice that it is OK to leave ~2 quarts of water in the water heater]

[Silvr_Bullet]

Curious, if anyone has heard of any Atwood Heater replaced due to freeze damage. I can’t verify this but I have spoken with an independent business that specializes in Airstream trailers that states he has replaced HW heaters from freeze damage.

[ROBERT CROSS]

What's the problem?...get as much water out as you can...😂👍

SNIP... "Am I missing something here? Why would you want to send Water into the opposite direction than where you want it to go back toward the fresh water tank? There are certainly less complicated ways of getting water out of the the Hot Water reservoir..."

Isolate the WH with the by-pass valves and you only blow the tank not the system.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

What's the problem?...get as much water out as you can...[emoji23][emoji106]



SNIP..."Am I missing something here? Why would you want to send Water into the opposite direction than where you want it to go back toward the fresh water tank? There are certainly less complicated ways of getting water out of the the Hot Water reservoir..."



Isolate the WH with the by-pass valves and you only blow the tank not the system.



Bob

[emoji631]

[emoji41]✔️

[Spinonedad]

I know they don't recommend covering our AS, but has anyone found a pre made cover that will fit over the heat pump unit to protect thru the snowy winters?

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Curious, if anyone has heard of any Atwood Heater replaced due to freeze damage. I can’t verify this but I have spoken with an independent business that specializes in Airstream trailers that states he has replaced HW heaters from freeze damage.

Hi

If you don't drain the water heater at all, it most certainly can be damaged. It's arguably the most expensive "hit" you could take in a freeze. There are a number of people who get caught by cold weather. Some by a freak cold snap, others simply by forgetting about winterizing ....

Bob

[OTRA15]

Bob did you see in Post #446 that Atwood says it is OK to leave ~2 quarts at the bottom below the drain plughole? [last sentence in paragraph 4 in the attached photo]

Peter

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Bob did you see in Post #446 that Atwood says it is OK to leave ~2 quarts at the bottom below the drain plughole? [last sentence in paragraph 4 in the attached photo]

Peter

Hi

Yup, but if you leave it full of water (which to me is don't drain it at all) you can get damage. Thus there *will* be people out there with damaged water heaters due to freezing.

Drain it completely empty with a siphon, no, I see no need to do that.

Bob

[Silvr_Bullet]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi



Yup, but if you leave it full of water (which to me is don't drain it at all) you can get damage. Thus there *will* be people out there with damaged water heaters due to freezing.



Drain it completely empty with a siphon, no, I see no need to do that.



Bob

Thanks for your input. The state I live in doesn’t require adults sitting in the back seat of an automobile to wear seat belts...but is it a good idea not to? Each person can decide that for themself!

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Thanks for your input. The state I live in doesn’t require adults sitting in the back seat of an automobile to wear seat belts...but is it a good idea not to? Each person can decide that for themself!

Hi

It would be "better" to pull the water heater out of the trailer each year and take it into to basement to do a really full job on it. A full heated garage would be "better' as a winter storage facility. You can *always* come up with a "better" idea. At some point common sense does have to get into the act.

Bob

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

. . .
At some point common sense does have to get into the act.
. . .

. . . and perhaps a good measure of willingness to "let go" . . . ?

[eastendmary]

Where are those low point drains? And...do you really need to use air to blow the water out? thanks for posting this!

Mary