RV Trax Panama City

Tag: RV Winterizing

  • De-Winterizing Fresh Water Supply

    Removing Antifreeze from Fresh Water System after Winterizing

    When putting your Recreational Vehicle back into service after winterizing, it is important to flush the fresh water system of all the Anti freeze used to winterize and protect the fresh water system from freezing, Following a few steps will assure you of a clean fresh water system.

    1. Drain the fresh water holding tank of any antifreeze that was added. During the winterizing process. Shut the fresh water tank low point drain valve.
    2. Remove the drain plug from the water heater and allow it to drain. Re-install the plug. .
    3. Put several gallons of fresh water into the fresh water holding tank. Open the low point fresh water tank drain and allow the water to drain completely. Close the low point drain valve..
    4. Refill the fresh water tank with several gallons of fresh water..
    5. Turn the fresh water pump on
    6. Open all the cold water faucets one by one and allow the water to flow for several minutes.
    7. Turn the fresh water pump off.
    8. Connect the city water inlet to the fresh water hose and turn the city water supply on.
    9. Open all the hot and cold water faucets and allow water to flow for several minutes. Flush the toilet a few times. If you have a washer machine, operate in in a warm cycle to allow anti freeze to be flushed out. Open the outdoor shower faucets if equipped.
    10. If equipped with a water heater bypass, turn the valves back to the normal position. And open all the hot water faucets, one by one allowing the air to escape. Allow all hot water faucets to flow for a few minutes.
    11. A great option at this time would be to perform the fresh water sanitation procedure outlined in the Fresh Water Sanitation article to have a clean fresh water system.
    12. It would be recommended to shut the fresh water supply off and relieve the pressure bu opening a hot water spigot. Remove the hot water heater drain plug and allow it to drain again. Re-install the plug and refill the tank.

    Your fresh water system is now ready for safe use.

  • Winterizing The Fresh Water System

    Winterizing the Fresh Water System

    Protecting the RV plumbing system from freezing is important to avoid costly repairs. Below is a list of a few items required and the procedures to perform this service.

    1. Two to three gallons of non-toxic RV/Marine Anti Freeze. Length and layout of the RV determines the amount required.
    2. A Tank Wand or a Built In Flushing System to flush the holding tanks if not already equipped.
    3. A Water Pump Converter Kit or tubing to connect to the Water Pump inlet
    4. A few basic tools to aid in installation and removal of drain plugs.

    Read the RV owners manual to follow proper winterizing procedures for the recreational vehicle.

     

    1. Disconnect water supply.
    2. Remove and bypass any inline water filters.
    3. Drain the fresh water holding tank.
    4. Drain and flush the Gray and Black Water holding tanks.
    5. Verify the water heater is cold and turned off. Remove the drain plug and drain the water heater. Open the relief valve to aid in quicker draining.
    6. Open all hot and cold water faucets including the outside shower and toilet if equipped.
    7. Locate and open the low point water drains.
    8. Turn on the fresh water pump to help flush the remaining water out the lines. Turn it back off when water flow has stopped.
    9. Close all faucets and drains.
    10. Install the Water Heater Bypass Kit (if not equipped) and bypass the water heater. This is required to save many gallons of the non toxic Anti Freeze.
    11. Install the fresh water converter kit to the fresh water pump inlet or tubing as required, if not already equipped.
    12. Install the suction tube from the converter kit to the pump into a gallon jug of the Anti Freeze. Turn on the water pump and allow the fresh water system to pressurize. Periodically replace the antifreeze jug when the solution gets low. Starting at the closest faucet to the pump, slowly open the hot and cold valves until the colored Anti Freeze expels from the fixture. Close the valves. Continue this procedure for each fixture working away from the pump. Do not forget the toilet and outside shower, if equipped. If a washer machine and dish washer is in the unit, turn the units on in the cold and hot water modes to fill the valves with anti freeze.
    13. Consult the owners manual for ice maker winterizing techniques.
    14. Pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain and in the toilet to aid in preventing freezing of the drain lines and holding tank.

     

    The RV is now completely winterized for the cold season.

     

    See the article De-Winterizing to place unit back into service.