De-winterizing Question and winterizing

[Beaver]

The latest winterizing/dewinterizing instructions call for "sanitizing" the fresh water system after flushing out the anti-freeze. Does anyone know how to achieve the sanitizing?

[santacruzer]

Usually it's a very small amount of bleach, but be certain to rinse very thoroughly, as bleach will rot rubber. I use 1/2 cup per full tank, adding the bleach at about the half-way mark as I fill. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then drain tank, fill again, drain tank, fill. Water goes on the landscape, even that small amount of bleach won't hurt much. I suspect others have their own ideas.

[Jim Bennett]

I do the bleach thing too. About 1/2 cup for a full tank. Run it through the lines, top up the tank, let it sit a couple hours, then do two full rinses. Using the low point drain, I have actually not had to do this in a a few years now, and only do when there is any evidence of odour present in the water.

[Vermilye]

I follow Jim's method, running each faucet until I smell bleach to be sure to "sanitize" the water lines.

[Beaver]

Thanks for this helpful information!

[J Mac]

The Black and Grey tanks drain through the sewer connection, the fresh tank drains through the valve at the bottom of the fresh tank, the hot water heater drains via the anode.
I always open and drain my "low point drain" but what I don't really know is: what is the "low point drain" draining? I only seem to get a few dribbles even when I raise and lower my tongue jack.

[cpaharley2008]

The low point drain is draining the water in your water lines that run from your tanks to your faucets and toilet. At any time they are full of water otherwise you would have air coming out when you turn on the faucet.

[dbailey]

To drain your lines though the low point, you need to open all the taps. If you open the drain without opening the traps, it wouldn't surprise me if the lines don't drain.

[Jim Bennett]

Kinda like holding your thumb on the top of a drinking straw filled with water.

[gbaglo]

I use a hand pump to siphon RV anti-freeze into the lines through the city water inlet. Les opens the taps, one at a time until pink comes out. I used very little anti-freeze ( maybe a litre or two ) for this part of the process. Another gallon went into traps.
"Better living through chemistry"

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I use a hand pump to siphon RV anti-freeze into the lines through the city water inlet. Les opens the taps, one at a time until pink comes out. I used very little anti-freeze ( maybe a litre or two ) for this part of the process. Another gallon went into traps.
"Better living through chemistry"

Using this method, how does it clean out the supply lines from the tank and through the pump?

[gbaglo]

Probably doesn't, but turning the pump on for 10 seconds and gravity clears it and the supply lines I expect. I used the low-point drain first. Opened fresh water drain. Removed anode, opened relief valve and taps.
It's the low point drain method, with anti-freeze added, for insurance.

[Jim Bennett]

If you used the low point drain first, and ran the pump a bit, that should cover it. I had thought because you used antifreeze that you didn't do the drain thing.

[gbaglo]

When all was done, I opened the low point drain and got about two oz. of clear water, followed by pink. Closed it back up real quick.

[RonS]

Question on a 2009 17B. The kitchen and bathroom sinks appear to share the same p-trap. so why are we pouring antifreeze down both sinks? Also,is there a p-trap in the shower drain and toilet tank?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by RonS

Question on a 2009 17B. The kitchen and bathroom sinks appear to share the same p-trap. so why are we pouring antifreeze down both sinks? Also,is there a p-trap in the shower drain and toilet tank?

Hi: RonS... No P-trap for the shower if it's the same as our 5.0. The shower trap is a shallow V and it seems to dry out/ slosh out... causing some odour backup. We keep it closed as we don't use the shower. That will change while we're in Florida for the winter. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[RonS]

Thanks Alf. So if we drain both tanks is there a need for antifreeze in those tanks? Or is it impossible to drain all the water out so the water that is left needs antifreeze?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by RonS

Thanks Alf. So if we drain both tanks is there a need for antifreeze in those tanks? Or is it impossible to drain all the water out so the water that is left needs antifreeze?

Hi: RonS... I just put 2 cups of -50* pink stuff in the black tank. As long as the tanks are really empty and there's some expansion room in case of a very hard freeze or severe sub zero temps you should be fine. The grey tank gets some when you put it in the drains.
Biggie things to ensure they're drained is the toilet valve and the 12V. pump. A small amt. of water traped in them will do a large amt. of damage... IMHO. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Beaver]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I use a hand pump to siphon RV anti-freeze into the lines through the city water inlet. Les opens the taps, one at a time until pink comes out. I used very little anti-freeze ( maybe a litre or two ) for this part of the process. Another gallon went into traps.
"Better living through chemistry"

Gbaglo, where does one buy such a hand pump?

[gbaglo]

I can't remember where I got it. It is basically a bilge pump, so if you can't find it at an RV supply I would check marine stores.