I would like to blow the water lines out with air and only use the RV antifreeze in the plumbing traps. Does anyone else do this ? I have concern about the water pressure pump, I assume it could just be removed and stored inside.
Bob
That is what I have done for 4 winters now.
I do all the stuff that is in the "prescribed method" and then put an air fitting on the freshwater line on the side of the trailer, open all of the taps, remember the outside shower, and start up the air compressor and let it run.
Hold open the toilet flusher handle .
Till each one of the taps/toilets are running clear, all the spitting and splattering has finished.
But, I also take the input filter off of the water pump. the strainer between the tank and the pump. I just unscrew the clear dome and put it in the sink over the winter.
Then the sinks p traps get filled with about a liter each of RV antifreeze and about a gallon down the toilet.
The only damage that I have suffered is that the strainer clear dome was cracked the first year. it was the low point and water sat in the strainer and expanded and cracked it. that's why I just unscrew it and put it aside.
You can find the "prescribed method" from an email from Reace.
I can't find it right now but here are the instructions that I copied for method 2 from that post;
Method Two: Draining the Water Lines – from Reace at Escape Trailers
Winterize your RV water system as follows:
1 Drain the fresh water tank by opening the drain valve on the tank.
2 Remove the threaded black plastic plug from the water line located beside the freshwater tank drain. (Low Point Drain)
3 First, hold the toilet flush valve open for approximately 5-10 seconds to allow water to drain. Open all other taps (including exterior shower) and leave open.
4 Drain the remaining water out of the water heater by removing the drain plug, (1-1/16” socket) which is accessed by opening the exterior water heater door.
5 Apply Teflon tape to the threads on water heater drain plug and re-install.
6 Remove the screened washer on the City Water Fill. Behind the washer is a white plastic one-way-valve. Using your finger, lightly push this valve in to allow a small amount of trapped water to drain out.
7 Once there is no more water draining from the low point drain or fresh water tank, switch on the 12V water pump and run for approx 10 seconds. This will clear any water in the pump head out.
8 Re-install low point drain plug.
9 Pour 2 liters of RV anti-freeze into the toilet holding tank. Pour 1 liter down the kitchen sink drain, and pour 1 liter down the shower drain.
Never turn the water heater on until it is filled with water.
