Are drain valves necessary?

[nickcrowhurst]

Under the floor in the sink area of my Excella are two drain valves for the hot and cold water lines. One valve has been broken for 3 years, and I can't get my hands down to replace it. I have an awkward stainless steel self-tapper plugged in the broken end to act as a drain plug. I shall probably re-plumb the entire lines to get rid of those weak crimped connectors. When I do so, I am considering not having drain valves at all. I always use anti-freeze, and the drain valves have to be opened and shut to pass anti-freeze, just to protect the valves themselves. This is awkward, and seems pointless. The antifreeze should drive out the water in front of it in the lines.Can anyone think of disavantages to not having these two drain valves? Nick.

[Stormy Weather]

I've often wondered the same thing as the PO of my 73 Tradewind replaced all the water lines with pex and didn't install a single drain valve! I'm hoping the antifreeze flush is enough to protect the lines.

[Ken J]

I don't have any valves in my 75 Tradewind with pex - not problem after 3 winters

Ken J.

[wayner1239]

Originally Posted by nickcrowhurst

Under the floor in the sink area of my Excella are two drain valves for the hot and cold water lines. Can anyone think of disavantages to not having these two drain valves? Nick.

I too have wondered about the need for drain valves, however, last year when winterizing I opened the drain valves and drained the lines. Then, when I took the drain plug out of the hot water heater, it was empty. I assume that the drain valve empties the hot water heater, but am not sure. My manual doesn't say what the drain valves do. I am sure someone will let us know.
Wayne

[Inland RV Center, In]

The drain lines are primarily used when winterizing.


Andy

[nickcrowhurst]

I would always feel the need for the drain valve close to the city water inlet, unless one introduces the anti-freeze via the city water inlet. I use a 2-way valve permanently installed between the cold water tank and the pump to introduce the anti-freeze. I would not be able to displace the cold water in the city supply line without that one drain valve. Nick.

[Ken J]

FWIW - I've never had a problem with the water inlet freezing - what I do is run air from the inlet to blow the lines out.

Ken

[Rob30044]

Originally Posted by nickcrowhurst

The antifreeze should drive out the water in front of it in the lines.Can anyone think of disavantages to not having these two drain valves? Nick.

The drain valves can be used to drain some of the water out of the lines before blowing the lines out with air. Takes less time with most of the water removed. If you use antifreeze you really don't have to use the valves. The antifreeze will push the water out. Ben.

[markdoane]

Nick,

I think you're right about having one drain valve in front of the pump. You may need to drain the tank if you have a pump malfunction and need to remove it. I don't think you need the other two if you use anti-freeze.

[nickcrowhurst]

Thank you Don and all, I'm going to eliminate those critturs! Nick.