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Old 09-18-2015, 04:49 PM   #1
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Blowing out water-lines with compressed air!

Could someone explain how you know if you have gotten enough water out the lines when using the compressed air method? Isn't it true that the traps will continue to hold water that constantly recycles giving the appearance that there is still water in the lines, but actually it's only in the trap.
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Old 09-18-2015, 04:57 PM   #2
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Water doesn't recycle from the traps. You will get almost total air coming out of your faucets when the lines are clear. If you are extra cautious, you can add antifreeze to the lines after blowing them out. Make sure you add antifreeze to all traps and blow out your outside shower.

Good luck,
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Old 09-18-2015, 06:25 PM   #3
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We blow the air until they mostly stop sputtering and the taps have mostly air coming out of them. I figure anything left behind has room to expand if it freezes.

I have done both afterwards- added pink antifreeze and gone without. I prefer to have it, as I feel safer. But lots of people don't do it.
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Old 09-18-2015, 06:41 PM   #4
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I use the compressed air. I blow out the lines by checking to insure that all the water is out by using my hand or a paper towel under the faucet. If paper towel or hand gets wet, I close the faucet, turn air back on for a couple of minutes, open the faucet and repeat again until all water is out. After all the water is blown out, then I add a couple of cups of antifreeze to the traps.
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Old 09-18-2015, 06:55 PM   #5
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I do the "Belts and Suspenders" method...Blow and Pink. You get 99% of the water out, and what is left, isn't enough to expand and cause damage. But, to be safe, I add the pink.
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Old 09-19-2015, 12:04 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by dmdrj5 View Post
Water doesn't recycle from the traps. You will get almost total air coming out of your faucets when the lines are clear. If you are extra cautious, you can add antifreeze to the lines after blowing them out. Make sure you add antifreeze to all traps and blow out your outside shower.

Good luck,
Don
You forgot 1 thing dmdrj the toilets put a 1/2 gal in each one to protect them and in the grey also just for good measure.
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Old 09-19-2015, 12:11 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by amaziing1 View Post
Could someone explain how you know if you have gotten enough water out the lines when using the compressed air method? Isn't it true that the traps will continue to hold water that constantly recycles giving the appearance that there is still water in the lines, but actually it's only in the trap.

Thats why you put pink in the drain enough where it also get some in the grey tank some in toilet enough when you flush it gets in the black tank too.
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Old 09-19-2015, 12:33 PM   #8
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Don't forget to blow out the black tank rinser. It can hold water in low spots.
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Old 09-19-2015, 01:16 PM   #9
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I just use air. Blow all lines twice. No problems

Remember to step on toilet pedal too
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Old 09-19-2015, 01:40 PM   #10
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I open one faucet at a time to get maximum air pressure in that line.
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Old 09-19-2015, 01:56 PM   #11
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If you have an ice maker open the fittings on each side of the valve to drain the water
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Old 09-19-2015, 02:37 PM   #12
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Empty WH, switch to by-pass, open low point drains, remove water filter, turn on air and start to open every valve from close to city water connection to the furthest. No mist from any, shut off air, put AF down all drains and bowl. Have a beer!
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Old 09-19-2015, 05:00 PM   #13
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The best part about blowing the water lines out is when you have a nice weekend in the winter you can go camping. When you get home just blow the lines out again
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Old 09-20-2015, 06:02 AM   #14
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The best part about blowing the water lines out is when you have a nice weekend in the winter you can go camping. When you get home just blow the lines out again
We just bought our first camper and this makes the most sense to me...

Joe
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Old 09-20-2015, 08:23 AM   #15
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There is already a thread going about using Compressed Air to Winterize !!!
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Old 09-20-2015, 09:14 AM   #16
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Air to clear lines

I see all the answers giving the advantages, and cautions, on using compressed air to clear water lines. One main item I have not seen covered is what would be the maximum air pressure be to do this with. Since we use water regulators set at 55psi is this what pressure would be the max to clear out lines with?
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Old 09-20-2015, 09:23 AM   #17
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I think 35 to 50 is the range most use !!!
I would never go over 50 psi !!!
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Old 09-20-2015, 09:34 AM   #18
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I open one faucet at a time to get maximum air pressure in that line.
My method also. Done it for three years and I live where it goes to -30C. Antifreeze into the drains though and toilet etc.
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Old 09-20-2015, 09:39 AM   #19
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After you blow out your lines...

The plastic lines in an RV are flexible enough to withstand small amounts of water freezing. The problem is water collected in the faucets/taps will freeze and damage the faucets. When you are done blowing out your lines leave the faucets all the way open to prevent damage from residual moisture freezing. Friend of mine learned this the hard way when found his faucet knobs laying in his sinks after a hard freeze.

The sink and shower drains "p traps" need to be treated with antifreeze. To save a trip to the store you can use the automotive type because you won't be drinking out of the galley/grey tanks.
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Old 09-20-2015, 09:24 PM   #20
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I have used the air only method with a Layton 24 foot. I removed the water pump each time as the seals will still have water in them and may crack when cold. i used windshield washer solvent in the traps. It freezes but not solid and is cheaper than "the pink stuff". I would not try this with my Cruise Lite 29 foot. I do both air and antifreeze.
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