Frozen black water valve

[Seagars]

Drove from Fl to Atl last night with just enough clean black water just in case we had to use the toilet. Never knowif we got into black ice driving we'd have to boondock somewhere. Anyway by the time we arrived in in Suwanee my dump valve was frozen closed. I had taken the precaution to put antifreeze in the lines and drain the hot water tank, but the BW issue I left alone till getting home too late to use the valve.

Any tips on the frozen valve issue. I did turn on the propane heater on the way home but it didnt help with the issue???

Puzzled!!! T

[tvketchum]

Your drain valves, black and gray, are outside the heated underbelly. If in a hurry, hook up the slinky, boil a pot of water and hold the slinky up while pouring the hot water in the slinky. Slosh it up and down, then the valve should pull open. If you have some time, rock salt in the toilet will help the ice seal melt where you can pull the valve.


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Tom

[tvketchum]

By the way, the shower drain trap is often outside the heated underbelly. Rock salt or antifreeze will help keep it open.


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Tom

[OTRA15]

Even small amounts of frozen moisture will keep that gate valve from sliding open when you need it. If the liquid mass behind the valve is not frozen, you are probably OK IMO. A hair dryer, or bucket of hot water, should free up the valve.

If the volume of material in the bottom of the black water tank is small enough, it can freeze solid without cracking the tank, as it does not develop side-to-side pressure as the water/ice expands. Like a plastic bottle of water which is almost empty -- left lying on its side -- will not crack the plastic even if frozen solid.

Good luck!

Peter

PS -- Would not advise using rock salt, as a salty brine of water can still freeze. RV antifreeze is the ticket for future use IMO.

[Seagars]

I purposly each trip over clean the combination tank before heading home. Add about 20% clear to head home. That way if we do have to go, theres enough slosh to break things up well.
In three cases weve been able to get home and just dump the clear water as I would have done last night if the valve had not frozen. Will add AF to slinky and in tank and cross fingers.

Thx again. Would have stayed in Grayton Beach if it had not gotten to 24 degrees.
If I was going to freeze there I figured hell I can be this cold at home!

[gail]

It will defrost just hang tight. Our trailer froze and the pump and that valve.
You could use a hair dryer but when it warms up all will be great.

[TomKirk]

Frozen dump valve occurs occasionally in Western Washington. My tool of choice is a hair dryer.

Tom

[pappy19]

I had mine freeze up and used a hair dryer to unthaw. Afterwards I used a 100 watt bulb in a drop light and put right on the valves. Didn't freeze even in below zero weather.

[Seagars]

seems theres a factory design issue there???

[xrvr]

No.

[batman]

Great thread, I like the "Rock salt", "Drop light" and "hair dryer" ideas for when we are parked. However when traveling in freezing temps These will not help. Has anyone used 12v heat cable?
http://www.oemheaters.com/p-6109-12v...wattsfoot.aspx, http://www.oemheaters.com/p-6113-low...ation-kit.aspx
At $8.88 and 5 watts per foot, a few feet of this wrapped around the pipe next to the valve's would keep them from freezing. This sounds like it might be a good way to travel freeze free.


-Dennis

[Seagars]

so if camping in 20 degree weather it will not freeze up?

[batman]

Seagars, I have not used it. It sounds like it is made for subzero conditions. I was hoping to hear more from one of our member who may have some experience with it.

-Dennis

[batman]

I just called the folks at O.E.M Heaters and they said the 5 WATT 12v heat cable is suitable for at least 40 below and is water proof provided you use the termination kit. They suggest after wrapping the pipe to use a closed cell insulation such as "Prodex" or some thing like it to cover it. They also said it is great for keeping pipes from freezing, but not as good for thawing frozen solid pipes. They said this is very popular for RV's and commercial takers, sewer tank guys, etc.
They were quite nice and very helpful. Give them a call.

-Dennis

[southsaglejim]

One thing for sure, do not try to force the handle when frozen. And as you see there are many ways to address a frozen valve.

[OTRA15]

The OEM Heaters 12-volt cable draws 5 watts per foot, so it would only be advisable IMO if you are plugged into shore power.

http://www.oemheaters.com/p-6109-12v...wattsfoot.aspx

Without shore power, the propane cooktop can be used to heat up water to free a stuck/frozen black water valve.

One proactive tip if you are heading into freezing weather and want to protect the holding tanks and valves -- put a couple gallons of RV antifreeze into each empty tank, as the AF will flow to the back of the dump valves and sit there. Hopefully this will prevent freezing valves altogether, but at a minimum it should prevent any freezing/cracking of the valves/tanks.

PS -- would like to repeat the comment that rock salt is a poor substitute for RV AF IMO -- it only lowers the freezing temp of water by a few degrees. Better than nothing, but RV antifreeze is available all over. A cheap generic vodka works too (in the tanks, that is).

[Seagars]

serves 2 purposes...

[Dstep5312]

I am in the Arizona area i need some small repairs done to my trailer I am about 40 min from Phoenix az any one got any thoughts

Thanks

[Wolf Alaska]

Originally Posted by Seagars

Drove from Fl to Atl last night with just enough clean black water just in case we had to use the toilet. Anyway ...my dump valve was frozen closed.

Any tips on the frozen valve issue.
T

I have found that Blue Anti-Freeze...windshield washer A/F rated to -20 or -50 can be effective in the gray or black tanks.

Drain the gray & black tanks before sundown. Add 1 gallon blue A/F to each tank. Gravity will let the A/F flow down to the drain valves. If the tanks are used, ..the sink or flush water will mix with the A/F, but the drain valves will still be protected.

Ideally, the OAT will be @ or above 20 when you drain the tanks. AND, you will only put a few gallons of waste water into the tanks when using the system in sub freezing wx. IT IS POSSIBLE TO FLUSH THE POTTY WITH BLUE A/F ! Just keep a bottle of the Blue A/F in the shower.

Blue A/F is 1/2 the price of Pink R/V A/F. Don't ever put it into the fresh water tank. Don't buy & use Blue A/F if you think you might get confused & misuse the Blue A/F.

Let's Roll !
Wolf 🐾

[cwf]

"Camped" in driveway during whole last week below freezing. Of course we had propane power and city water... no issues. I did have water hose covered in heat tape and split tube insulation. Also, stuffed loose insulation inside the water compartment... nothing broke.

We let water run at trickle with gray open. All cabinet doors open.. WH on electric... Black tank closed with fresh water and "packet" treatment and about 5 gallons in it. Also, we have reflectix in all windows.