Temporary (emergency) winterizing

[Belbein]

Originally Posted by cwf

Buddy of mine uses Vodka to 'winterize'.. but, it only gets into the teens around here... .

Round here, we make the teens buy their own d**n vodka.

[jcanavera]

Not an uncommon occurrence here in the early spring and late fall. Typically the trailer is home and we are preparing for or just got back home from an outing. I'll just keep the water heater on electric and set the thermostat for the furnace to its lowest setting. I'll also open any cabinets or doors where water pipes are present. Never have had a freeze up or damage to any piping or drain traps. My water heater is access in the sink cabinet in the bathroom. The water in the hot water tank staying hot keeps all the lines and valves warm. The furnace ducts also pass through the compartment housing the water pump thus staying warm enough.

Jack

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

Is there a driver that justifies using cheap vodka, say $10.00 a gallon over RV antifreeze at an average cost of $3.75 a gallon? Just curious, plus Oranges are out of season when it's time to flush the system come Spring.

I use 'concentrated' OJ.. after a couple, you don't care..

He figures.. "I don't have to flush the system.. just use the water. "

Just trying to offer the facts as I have imagined them..

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Btw, do you drain the hot water heater too?

No I don't drain the hot water heater but I do heat it before bedtime and before opening the hot/cold and fresh water drains, believing the hot water tank and surrounding plumbing less likely to freeze.

I fill a gallon jug of water and set on the bathroom counter for late night flush. The water pump won't provide flush water with the bottom drains open, anything there will just be pumped out the brass drain valves.

The valves for my black and gray tanks are also exposed to cold air, so I figure they could freeze/break too if anything is in the tanks. So if hooked to campground sewer, I leave those valves open during the night as well. If dry camping and not using gray and black tanks, I can line the bowel with a plastic kitchen trash bag, empty it in the morning.

The other exposed plumbing may be the external shower compartment. I've got a piece of thick foam that I put in there and close to door to provide some insulation. And the external city water hookup, which I disconnect on hard freeze nights (mid-twenties or so for several hours) and drain the hose.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Thanks. Good info.

[Len n Jeanne]

Originally Posted by SCOTTinNJ

Btw, do you drain the hot water heater too?

If you are winterizing, yes. The main thing is to clear the pipes with an air compressor. Our neighbour has one and does this himself, but we just get it done at the nearby RV service center. If you are not really winterizing but just want to make it through a few cold nights, it's not necessary.