Drain low point drain after filling with anti-freeze?

[gmacklem]

Sadly, I winterized my RV over the weekend. Then I did something I haven't done in the past. After pumping RV antifreeze throughout the plumbing, I opened the low point drain and some of it drained out.

When I told my brother, he thought I should have left it in as it would inhibit mold growth. But he isn't sure where he heard or read that.

So should I have left it in? Should I go pump some more through to fill the lines back up?

Thanks

[nomad297]

I wouldn’t worry about it.

Bruce

[youroo]

^^^^ I would worry about your Brother! Youroo!!

[JohnD10]

You should be fine.

The fact that you ran the pink stuff through the plumbing should have removed any water that would have been left in the system after draining the pipes.

However, if you just drained a little out accidently, it wouldn't hurt to top off the system just for piece of mind.

[aceinspp]

No harm done your good. Later RJD

[WFD]

The RV antifreeze already did it's job and displaced any water that was there, even though you drained it out, your still good. And one shouldn't count on the a/f as being a form of mould prevention...good idea to sanitize the system after you de-winterize it anyhow.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by gmacklem

When I told my brother, he thought I should have left it in as it would inhibit mold growth. But he isn't sure where he heard or read that.

As far as mold growth it can go the other way... I forgot to clean up some RV anti-freeze splashed around in the shower tub while winterizing a couple years ago. Mold grew on the pink spots...! I asked Gary, the Service Manager at Three Way Campers, about it and that isn't uncommon. I always disinfect the system really well now....at least twice with plenty of bleach.

[sgtlm17]

Originally Posted by WFD

The RV antifreeze already did it's job and displaced any water that was there, even though you drained it out, your still good. And one shouldn't count on the a/f as being a form of mould prevention...good idea to sanitize the system after you de-winterize it anyhow.

I agree. Many RV's are winterized with air only. Drianing some anti-freeze should not effect anything. Everyone should sanitize the RV system every spring.

[Cathcartww]

I always drain ours out. I figure that the plastic piping won't suck up as much taste/odor when it's mostly empty. We always disinfect at the start of the season anyhow .....

[bobm253]

I opened my low point drains as well. Figure the less liquid in the line, the better. More room for any expansion. Also left all faucets wide open.

[lewisra]

No need to top it off. It’s either pink stuff or air, neither is an issue. Probably good thing you did open them, I’m sure left over water was the first thing out.

[Jay2504]

After, I drain all the water I can out, I put in the pink stuff and run every faucet hot and cold until pink comes out. Then I open the low point drains until pink comes out also. I always take the pressure off the system by leaving faucets open. I don’t believe you hurt anything at all. Jay

[dnicoll]

After pumping through my AF, turn off pump and I open low point drains. However, the amount of AF that drains out is very minimal - maybe 1 or 2 cups from hot and cold (at the most). I think this might represent the little bit in the vertical portion of the low points? The balance of the system is still full of AF - as can be attested to by how much pink stuff comes out before water Shows up in the sinks etc. In the spring!
To date I have not had any issues. (Fingers crossed)

[D W]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I wouldn’t worry about it.

Bruce

X2! Probably a good thing as it flushed any water that was sitting in that "low point". As long as you perform a sanitization in the spring I wouldn't sweat it.

[Jim in Halifax]

I always open up faucets and drain off some a f ...relieves pressure on the water system...especially the pump...

[tuxedo]

I always remove low point last and run pumptill sure is pink, then shut pump off.

The low point never sees enough antifreeze when trying to pump pink into top of a column of water, risking freeze at the low point.

[rlh1957]

I think opening and closing the low point and seeing the anti-freeze indicates it is all in the system... no water left in. No worries.

[Gidyupgo]

I do that anyway to make sure there is no trapped water in hot low point

[TheWolfPaq82]

Sleep easy, draining that is not going to do anything to your system. You don't have to drain and redo, you don't have to "TOP OFF"...you're fine and it will be fine until spring, when it will be ready to be flushed and prepped for the season.

[gmacklem]

Thanks everyone. I do sanitize mine a little more and a little longer than most suggest as I am paranoid about water.