Accidentally sucked antifreeze into hot water heater

[wolfie666]

2021 Wolf Pup 16BHS here.

So, I'm pretty sure I accidentally sucked a few gallons of antifreeze into the hot water heater while winterizing it.

You can probably imagine how this happened. I had drained all water out of the trailer first, including blowing it out with an air compressor so that every possible opening just hissed air.

Then, I redirected the water supply to a jug of antifreeze, but forgot to bypass the hot water heater. I turned on the water pump and gallon after gallon of anti-freeze just disappeared. By the third gallon I began to suspect something was up. I opened the low point hot water valve, went to the water heater, opened the pressure valve, and sure enough gallons of antifreeze dumped out.

Whoops. So, then I properly bypassed the water heater and completed the winterization.

Although I have lingering questions.

Do I need to worry about the water heater? It probably has a few quarts of antifreeze in it. Do I need to worry about the anode rod?

I assume the worst thing that happened here is that I may have wasted a few gallons of antifreeze and maybe gave myself a bit more work to do on dewinterizing to make sure the hot water heater is flushed out.

[Flybob]

You should be OK. You can remove the anode rod and it will drain most of the antifreeze. You can then rinse the water heater with a hose.

[llr]

I don't know of any issues except wasting antifreeze and if drink anything from the hot water side some extra flushing to remove the taste.

[WFD]

You aren't the first to have this happen and won't be the last...I would pull the anode and drain whatever is in the tank. CAmco sells an attachment that you can attach to your hose. It has a long flexible spout on it that you can insert into the tank where the anode rod fits, and give it a rinse. I do this every fall when I drain the tank, and am always surprised at the amount of white deposit that comes out of the tank. This attachment can be bought at Walmart for about $10, or likely on Amazon.
This way you at least wont have antifreeze sitting in the tank all winter, and should make your flushing in the spring a bit easier.

[WFD]

Meant to insert the link to the hot water tank rinser..
https://www.amazon.ca/Camco-11691-Wa...s%2C271&sr=8-1

Thats Amazon Canada, definitely cheaper on Amazon.com and likely cheaper at Walmart

[D W]

Were you not going to drain and rinse the water heater? I always do the water heater first along with putting it in by-pass mode.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by wolfie666

2021 Wolf Pup 16BHS here.

So, I'm pretty sure I accidentally sucked a few gallons of antifreeze into the hot water heater while winterizing it.

You can probably imagine how this happened. I had drained all water out of the trailer first, including blowing it out with an air compressor so that every possible opening just hissed air.

Then, I redirected the water supply to a jug of antifreeze, but forgot to bypass the hot water heater. I turned on the water pump and gallon after gallon of anti-freeze just disappeared. By the third gallon I began to suspect something was up. I opened the low point hot water valve, went to the water heater, opened the pressure valve, and sure enough gallons of antifreeze dumped out.

Whoops. So, then I properly bypassed the water heater and completed the winterization.

Although I have lingering questions.

Do I need to worry about the water heater? It probably has a few quarts of antifreeze in it. Do I need to worry about the anode rod?

I assume the worst thing that happened here is that I may have wasted a few gallons of antifreeze and maybe gave myself a bit more work to do on dewinterizing to make sure the hot water heater is flushed out.

Originally Posted by Flybob

You should be OK. You can remove the anode rod and it will drain most of the antifreeze. You can then rinse the water heater with a hose.

You answered your own question, seconded by Flybob & thirded by me
Drain, flush thoroughly let dry out and forget about it.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by D W

Were you not going to drain and rinse the water heater? I always do the water heater first along with putting it in by-pass mode.

X2

The water heater is my first order of business.
Bypass, drain, (by opening the T&P) flush/rinse, (using the tool referenced above) inspect and replace or reinstall the anode. The water heater is all buttoned up and ready for use next spring by simply opening the bypass valves once the antifreeze is flushed from the system. Some folks recommend leaving the plug /anode out or installing a plastic plug but I never seen the need and that's just one more thing to have to remember to do in the spring.

Then on to the low point drains, purging plumbing with air (including water filter, if you haven't totally removed it, outside shower and city water connection) and charging the plumbing with antifreeze. And because I have a garden hose connection/shut-off on my low point drains, I connect a short hose between the low point and the black tank flush and run a small amount of antifreeze through it too for good measure when charging the plumbing system.

Then a bit in the sink/shower traps and a bit in the toilet to keep the seal from drying out.

[PodGeek]

For most of us (if I may be so bold), blowing out all the lines and draining the water heater and low-point drains (my preferred method) negates the need to suck antifreeze into the lines. Sounds like overkill to me.

Oh...and I pour some antifreeze into the sink and shower drains and into the commode. Hasn't failed yet.

[NJKris]

Antifreeze will ruin anode. Either flush it out or buy new anode for next year.

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

For most of us (if I may be so bold), blowing out all the lines and draining the water heater and low-point drains (my preferred method) negates the need to suck antifreeze into the lines. Sounds like overkill to me.

Oh...and I pour some antifreeze into the sink and shower drains and into the commode. Hasn't failed yet.

+1 for this method. 3 harsh winters and all is ok.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by PodGeek

For most of us (if I may be so bold), blowing out all the lines and draining the water heater and low-point drains (my preferred method) negates the need to suck antifreeze into the lines. Sounds like overkill to me.

Oh...and I pour some antifreeze into the sink and shower drains and into the commode. Hasn't failed yet.

Until you've spent some time on R/V forums or personally witnessed those who have blown out only to find something broken in the spring, like a faucet valve or toilet valve where a drop of water has run back down and froze and busted.

It's a personal preference Do whatever you want. I've not seen/read where anyone that charges with antifreeze has had a busted anything from doing so. Can't say the same about just blowing out.

[Johnny Boy]

Originally Posted by wolfie666

2021 Wolf Pup 16BHS here.

So, I'm pretty sure I accidentally sucked a few gallons of antifreeze into the hot water heater while winterizing it.

You can probably imagine how this happened. I had drained all water out of the trailer first, including blowing it out with an air compressor so that every possible opening just hissed air.

Then, I redirected the water supply to a jug of antifreeze, but forgot to bypass the hot water heater. I turned on the water pump and gallon after gallon of anti-freeze just disappeared. By the third gallon I began to suspect something was up. I opened the low point hot water valve, went to the water heater, opened the pressure valve, and sure enough gallons of antifreeze dumped out.

Whoops. So, then I properly bypassed the water heater and completed the winterization.

Although I have lingering questions.

Do I need to worry about the water heater? It probably has a few quarts of antifreeze in it. Do I need to worry about the anode rod?

I assume the worst thing that happened here is that I may have wasted a few gallons of antifreeze and maybe gave myself a bit more work to do on dewinterizing to make sure the hot water heater is flushed out.

I would imagine you can flush it out. Remove relief valve, open drain plug or remove anode rod and run water thru it. ��

[CedarCreekWoody]

In any case you should drain and flush the water heater annually to remove the scale that forms inside.

[Richy R]

People calling it a "hot water heater." Why not label it a hot water closet? Or better yet, "water heater."

[campers302]

Originally Posted by wolfie666

2021 Wolf Pup 16BHS here.

So, I'm pretty sure I accidentally sucked a few gallons of antifreeze into the hot water heater while winterizing it.

You can probably imagine how this happened. I had drained all water out of the trailer first, including blowing it out with an air compressor so that every possible opening just hissed air.

Then, I redirected the water supply to a jug of antifreeze, but forgot to bypass the hot water heater. I turned on the water pump and gallon after gallon of anti-freeze just disappeared. By the third gallon I began to suspect something was up. I opened the low point hot water valve, went to the water heater, opened the pressure valve, and sure enough gallons of antifreeze dumped out.

Whoops. So, then I properly bypassed the water heater and completed the winterization.

Although I have lingering questions.

Do I need to worry about the water heater? It probably has a few quarts of antifreeze in it. Do I need to worry about the anode rod?

I assume the worst thing that happened here is that I may have wasted a few gallons of antifreeze and maybe gave myself a bit more work to do on dewinterizing to make sure the hot water heater is flushed out.

I always leave a bit of antifreeze in my hwh. Remove anode rod and put it back in and rinse out when you next use the TT

[MilCop4523]

pretty simple - flush it out in the spring

[NJKris]

Originally Posted by Richy R

People calling it a "hot water heater." Why not label it a hot water closet? Or better yet, "water heater."

I have caught myself saying hot water heater. But since it's been mentioned before, I feel stupid and correct myself. Be like walking up to the ol' 'cold water cooler' at work for a drink!

[campers302]

Originally Posted by NJKris

I have caught myself saying hot water heater. But since it's been mentioned before, I feel stupid and correct myself. Be like walking up to the ol' 'cold water cooler' at work for a drink!

Actually I believe it should be called a cold water heater as it heats cold water does it not? I mean if you think about it why would you want to heat hot water anyways?

[jjcook]

Flush it out good or you will have some nasty hot water