Winterizing with air

[Hoo Dad]

This may have already been posted, but just a friendly reminder....If you are not going to pump antifreeze through your system, but instead use air to blow out your water lines, be sure to remove and empty the sediment bowl (which will most likely be full of water) located on the suction side of your pump. Otherwise this may freeze and bust. I also disconnect and leave disconnected the suction and discharge lines and tilt the pump sideways to empty all water. Just running your pump empty will not empty the sediment bowl of water.

[TURBS]

good reminder !

I flush with air and fill with anitfreeze . overboard ? maybe ! protected ? YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!


TURBS

[RalphieAdie]

Thanks for the tip.

[JoeyO]

Originally Posted by Hoo Dad

be sure to remove and empty the sediment bowl (which will most likely be full of water) located on the suction side of your pump. Otherwise this may freeze and bust.

I'm stumped on what this is refering to - where by the pump is this bowl located, or what does it look like? Anyone take a picture of this?

[Hoo Dad]

This is not exactly what I have but close enough. The bowl is just to the right of the pump.

[GlacierGus]

Thanks Hoo Dad. Good advice.

[JoeyO]

That clear little bowl with the grey screen in it? Wow! I would never had thought to empty that! Thanks Hoo Dad for taking the time to post that picture!!! Overlooking something so small could cause a lot of BIG headaches!

[rattleNsmoke]

Using compressed air and pink stuff is the way to go.
Mike

[JeffnTam]

X2, compressed air and anti freeze. Cost coupe $ but protected

[jriddering]

Used compressed air on Sunday and went back and used pink anti freeze last night just in case. Thanks

[brookside]

Air only. I'm not drinking that pink stuff next spring!! Tha is for the tip on the bowl though!

[MotocrossCamper]

Originally Posted by brookside

Air only. I'm not drinking that pink stuff next spring!! Tha is for the tip on the bowl though!

Why would you drink it? That doesn't seem smart!

Edit- I suppose I should add that I'm just kid'n!

[SimchaSabre]

I also recomend adding anti-freeze. Just too many unknown potential water gathering points in a trailer...but if you still prefer the air only, blow out method..I'd remove the pump to warming quarters for the winter tp postively protect all of the chambers.

[rockwood06]

I like using air, after the water heater is emptied and the water filter cylinder is emptied and re-installed and the flush valve to the toilet is prop open (NOT THE FLAP) I open all of the faucets both hot and cold and this includes the out side shower and then blow the lines out, I let the air blow for about 5 minutes then I am done, now I leave all of the faucets open all winter and the flush valve open as well. If there was any water in the system it would be very little and if there is a problem with freezing then the ice would have somewhere to go with out busting anything.

The only problem I had was the flush valve to the toilet, I forgot to prop it open and add it to the rest of the lines to clear them out that spring I had to replace the flush valve.

I have been doing this since 2000 and it has work well for me, and besides I don't drink campground water any way let along mix with the pink stuff that may get into the walls of the plastic lines and this makes me wonder if it did get into the lines is it anti-freeze or the dye ????? Well, I will stick with what works for me and that is BEER, BEER or BEER.....

[J_KHawthorne]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

good reminder !

I flush with air and fill with anitfreeze . overboard ? maybe ! protected ? YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!


TURBS

X2 drain HW tank, blow, switch bypass valves AND pump anti freeze! Cheap insurance and easy to flush in the spring!

[brookside]

Pink stuff goes in my drains and down the crapper, but never anywhere might end up in drinking water - that's just me.

[Hoo Dad]

Wow, touchy topic.

I realize that some people do not like to use the rv antifreeze. That is why I was just trying to help anyone that only uses air. Good suggestion on removing the pump (I make sure to leave the inlet and discharge connections un hooked). As for the commode flapper I actually blow air through this connection by flushing with the air compressor connected.

[cfsoistman]

Originally Posted by brookside

Pink stuff goes in my drains and down the crapper, but never anywhere might end up in drinking water - that's just me.

Same here. I usually pour antifeeze into each sink and the shower to protect the traps. I also pour some in each toilet to keep the seal from drying out after blowing air through each line. Don't forget your outdoor shower if you have one. I always remove the hose and take it inside after I drain the water out.

[Lynkage]

I put the air through the antifreeze suction hose and it blows the pump out as well the city water connection. I don't do RVAF except in the camode and P-traps!

BTW hang a towel over the faucets to reduce the air/water splater.

[brookside]

Originally Posted by cfsoistman

Same here. I usually pour antifeeze into each sink and the shower to protect the traps. I also pour some in each toilet to keep the seal from drying out after blowing air through each line. Don't forget your outdoor shower if you have one. I always remove the hose and take it inside after I drain the water out.

Exactly the same here.