Winterizing - Checking the water pump inlet filter

[Tronadora]

Hope this helps someone. I was winterizing the rig today and was using the outside shower water to flush the black tank. When the coach water pump was running it seemed to get eerily quiet so I dashed inside and heard it was still running.... boy I wish it was this quiet all the time.

I then checked the inlet filter housing at the pump and noticed green leafy matter (and some plastic shavings... maybe from the factory?) and thought maybe some leaves got into the fresh water somehow. Later, I was draining the fresh water tank and more leafy matter came out and I figure it was algae. I've seen slimy brown algae here in the NW, but not dark green leafy style. It's been about 3 months since I had done a bleach fill, slosh, drain, flush, fill. Yes, always with filtered water.

I know some of you have a policy of frequent treatments and now I know that where I live it is especially important!! I'll also be sure to replace the inline water filter at least once a year, and check that inlet filter more often.

Question: I blew out the water lines but did not operate the toilet flush valve while the lines were pressurized... do you think I should go back and do this? We typically get a freeze in the 20s about 1-2x per year for a couple of days. Yes, I ran the macerator til pink came out. Thanks.

[Titus]

I would blow out all lines, including (maybe especially) the toilet flush line. A freeze in the toilet could be expensive to fix.

[Wayne&Sam]

What Titus said. And the sink spray hose, if you have one.

[Kwils25]

And, don’t forget the black tank flush as well.

[Jim J]

My 2014 has a valve to shut off the water supply to the toilet flush valve. To winterize you close the valve then unscrew the supply line from the toilet and work the valve to drain the water into a cup.

If you do not do this the water will freeze in the plastic toilet flush valve and you will have to replace it next spring.