Plumbing question

[tkasten]

I've taken out all original coper pipes from my 65 Safari. Plan to install new water heater (Atwood DSI gas/elect.) and all pex. Do I need to install low point drain valves?

[A W Warn]

yes

[Bill M.]

I do not know if you do or not. I do know that I have never opened or used the low point drains in the 2 trailers I have. But I think I would put them in anyway if I were redoing all the lines.

[HowieE]

There is little need for them as they are often not installed at the low point anyway.

Your best bet is to put a bypass system on the hot water heater drain it in winter and plan to blow the system out before pumping in antifreeze. As I drain the hot water heater I have about 2 ft of small plastic hose in the drain to siphon out the bottom of the heater.

[goshawks00]

Tim I think it depends on how you are going to winterize it. I don't but I do make sure all lines have a full flush of antifreeze. Then pour in antifreeze in all traps , and also bypass the wh, then drain out the wh. BTW we installed the Atwood DSI gas /electric... love it. No more pilot!!

[A W Warn]

I'll explain a little more about my opinion in post #2, since others seemed to not agree.

If you had a problem with freezing of your old copper lines then you may also have the same problem with the metal connectors in the pex system. Freezing can crack the fittings in the same way as the copper.

Since a low point drain will cost less than $10 to include, why would you not have one? Or, two?

[goshawks00]

If your low points had anti freeze in them, or for that matter were blown out, why would you need drains?

[tkasten]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

I'll explain a little more about my opinion in post #2, since others seemed to not agree.

If you had a problem with freezing of your old copper lines then you may also have the same problem with the metal connectors in the pex system. Freezing can crack the fittings in the same way as the copper.

Since a low point drain will cost less than $10 to include, why would you not have one? Or, two?

I always pumped the system full of antifreeze so never had any freezing problems. I am upgrading to pex to bring it up to date. I didn't think I needed a drain. Good to have others confirm.

[Farmer Dan]

Tim,
I just finished a replumb with PEX on my '89 25'er. I bought the 4 sharkbite valves (@ $15.00 each) planning to install where original drain valves were. When I got to that point of the job I decided not to replace the low point drains. It was going to be a hassle in a small space. I always blow the lines and add a/f anyhow. I even found a drain valve for the city water that I was not aware of! BTW: Sharkbite fittings are pricey but with all the trial and error necessary it was well worth the price.
Dan