First time owner may have to winterize while on the road seeks advice

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by MyronL

It's not the location so much as it is the altitude. We are at 6700 feet. Well, it's also the location, I guess. We're right off I-40 just east of the "East Mountains," facing the arid open plains. Because of low humidity I find the cold here really does bite you.

Myron,
You're not far from the Walmart we hole up in overnight heading home W on I40. We like to get that massive hill behind us coming out of ABQ and the Walmart is right off 40 not too much further going W.

[MyronL]

From now on, Greg, every time I drive past our WalMart I will be watching for you.

LuckyOne..... hope this helps with the basics:

(Using Compressed Air...or not)

1. First drain all holding tanks, and open outside fresh water pet cock, and black low point drain plug. Close when all water is drained.
2. Turn the two hot water heater bypass valves (inside under bed) to the down/up position.
3. Hold the toilet flush valve open for 10 seconds.
4. Turn on water pump, open taps one at a time and leave open until all water is cleared.
5. Drain hot water heater by opening outside 1-1/16ths drain plug found at exterior street side water heater door. Then reinstall plug with fresh Teflon tape.
6. Open city water plug, remove screen mesh, lightly press plastic button to free any trapped water.
7. Screw compressor air hose with blow-out adapter to city water intake.
8. Blow out all interior water lines until no water flows from taps and toilet. Shut pump.
9. Pour antifreeze down sinks to fill P-traps.
10. Optional: to fill all lines with antifreeze (never in hot or fresh water tanks), put hose into jug of pink non-toxic antifreeze, run pump until pink flows out faucets. Repeat for hot water faucet.

[gbaglo]

Not used to this stuff. Cold too.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

Not used to this stuff. Cold too.

Sorry, I can't help that reaction every time my relatives in the Lower Mainland report that they have had the misfortune of snow.

[luckyone]

Originally Posted by MyronL

From now on, Greg, every time I drive past our WalMart I will be watching for you.

LuckyOne..... hope this helps with the basics:

(Using Compressed Air...or not)

1. First drain all holding tanks, and open outside fresh water pet cock, and black low point drain plug. Close when all water is drained.
2. Turn the two hot water heater bypass valves (inside under bed) to the down/up position.
3. Hold the toilet flush valve open for 10 seconds.
4. Turn on water pump, open taps one at a time and leave open until all water is cleared.
5. &nbsprain hot water heater by opening outside 1-1/16ths drain plug found at exterior street side water heater door. Then reinstall plug with fresh Teflon tape.
6. Open city water plug, remove screen mesh, lightly press plastic button to free any trapped water.
7. Screw compressor air hose with blow-out adapter to city water intake.
8. Blow out all interior water lines until no water flows from taps and toilet. Shut pump.
9. Pour antifreeze down sinks to fill P-traps.
10. Optional: to fill all lines with antifreeze (never in hot or fresh water tanks), put hose into jug of pink non-toxic antifreeze, run pump until pink flows out faucets. Repeat for hot water faucet.

Thanks Myron. I did add the antifreeze to the freshwater tank and ran it through with the pump because I saw water in the line running from that tank. It's pink now and I will flush after winter. I was just concerned about any accumulated water in the hoses coming and going from the hot water tank and how that is winterized/drained after those valves are closed?