How often to use low point drains

Sebourn · 06-21-2018, 08:54 PM

When we first started out 3 years ago new to camping, I would open the low point drains at the end of each trip. For some reason which I no longer remember, I quit doing that and started only draining at the low point drains in the Fall when I winterize. So I'm thinking again. We typically go out for a week and then come home for 2 to 3 weeks and out again. I do let water run thru to flush the system when we reach the campsites. Is the 2 to 3 weeks with water just sitting in the pipes too long to go? Opinions please.

Cypressloser · 06-21-2018, 09:10 PM

I guess the argument could be made both ways. When you leave clean water in the system it stays "clean" and when you drain it you introduce moist air that can promote the growth of all kind of nasty stuff. Think of all the crap that can grow in FW tanks if they are not periodically sanitized. I talked to the parts guy once at a RV repair place, he said they get many calls after a wet spell in the summer from people having trouble with their water pump, but it usually is only the strainer on the pump that's clogged with gunk from the tank.

Sebourn · 06-21-2018, 09:23 PM

The more I think about it, it can't be good confined like that especially in Summer heat. I think I'll go back to draining each time and sanitizing before each trip.

itat · 06-21-2018, 09:39 PM

If my TT is going to be in storage for more than 2 weeks, I drain the system. My reasoning is that the water in the system lacks chlorine because its been reduced, if not eliminated, by my water filter. The chlorine is what reduces the risk of nasty stuff growing in the stagnant water.

**Flybob** · 06-21-2018, 09:47 PM

Try this. Fill a glass with water from you system, cover it and let it sit in your RV until your next trip. Examine the contents of the glass and determine if you are OK using it,

Sebourn · 06-21-2018, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the opinions. I am going back to draining.

Mikemdd · 06-22-2018, 12:35 PM

Wow, I'm glad I read this thread. We returned from a trip a few weeks ago and I still had water in the FW tank. This is a new motorhome I picked up in April so thought since it was "new" sanitizing could wait. Boy was I wrong! I went out this morning and drained the tank...the smell of sulfur was unbearable. I would never have checked otherwise and discovered it next week at the campground when we go out for another long trip. I am now sanitizing and may even do it twice to make sure it is clean. I am now a believer.....

Sebourn · 06-22-2018, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikemdd

Wow, I'm glad I read this thread. We returned from a trip a few weeks ago and I still had water in the FW tank. This is a new motorhome I picked up in April so thought since it was "new" sanitizing could wait. Boy was I wrong! I went out this morning and drained the tank...the smell of sulfur was unbearable. I would never have checked otherwise and discovered it next week at the campground when we go out for another long trip. I am now sanitizing and may even do it twice to make sure it is clean. I am now a believer.....

Glad someone else needed the opinion like me.

joeuncool · 06-22-2018, 01:28 PM

It's so easy that I open the low point drains after every trip. Drain grey, black, fresh, and open the low point drains. All part of my after camping procedures. I have thought about why, but it only takes 30 seconds to unscrew those caps so why not? No big deal.

5picker · 06-22-2018, 01:52 PM

If you are going to use the low point drains after each trip, it is advisable to put the water heater into bypass BEFORE opening the low point drains.

Often times the crud from the bottom of the water heater tank gets sucked into the plumbing when using the low point drains and some of that crud remains in the plumbing to be pushed into the toilet valve and faucets on repressurization. We've seen MANY reports of it here.

Of course this means to drain the water heater, you'll need to remove the anode/plug as well.

grumpy0374 · 06-22-2018, 01:57 PM

Only drain and when putting up for winter. Sanitize tank before first fill in spring. Doing it that way since first camper in 1971. Never had a problem.
For those of you that must drain everything every trip. question...
Does that mean that you drain your entire home's lines, hot water tank, fridge lines, ect. when you return from a long trip, or every trip? Just as much, if not more "stuff" in those lines as your rig.
Grumpy

doc73 · 06-22-2018, 01:59 PM

I use the drains at the end of the year to allow any bit of water out before winterizing. I do have a 1/4 turn valve on them with a hose bib end. If I need an outside water source and the hookup is not there I will use this. Otherwise, never drained in over 10years of camping. I even DRINK the water...

doc73 · 06-22-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

Only drain and when putting up for winter. Sanitize tank before first fill in spring. Doing it that way since first camper in 1971. Never had a problem.
For those of you that must drain everything every trip. question...
Does that mean that you drain your entire home's lines, hot water tank, fridge lines, ect. when you return from a long trip, or every trip? Just as much, if not more "stuff" in those lines as your rig.
Grumpy

I was working an OT detail on a broken water line one night. As they were working on it... Two bottles, a piece of some sort of metal and a 2ft long by 1.5 or so tree limb came out of the DRINKING water city main.... The water guys say they get this stuff all the time. They even get critters that get into the system... Some part of Philly still have WOODEN water mains and are lined with lead... Just saying.

**bikendan** · 06-22-2018, 02:06 PM

Also only use the low point drains before winter.

Kaadk · 06-22-2018, 02:07 PM

Our Flagstaff didn't have low point drains, so I never used them. Typically the water would be in the system from spring till fall. However, our trailer almost never sits still. Typically we're out at least every other weekend, if not more often, so you're only looking at maybe 11 days between trips.

doc73 · 06-22-2018, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Our Flagstaff didn't have low point drains, so I never used them. Typically the water would be in the system from spring till fall. However, our trailer almost never sits still. Typically we're out at least every other weekend, if not more often, so you're only looking at maybe 11 days between trips.

That is about what we are from April until November... THen the deep freeze...

Arkansas Traveler · 06-22-2018, 05:33 PM

Grumpy x2

Charles Firth · 06-22-2018, 05:50 PM

I drain the hot water tank along with the fresh water tank after each trip, especially if its sitting for few weeks. The low point drain only gets drained at the end of the season. Although the hot water tank is sealed the water gets funky after several weeks in 90 degree heat, besides the water is included with the campsite, and only takes a few minutes.

itat · 06-22-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy0374

Only drain and when putting up for winter. Sanitize tank before first fill in spring. Doing it that way since first camper in 1971. Never had a problem.
For those of you that must drain everything every trip. question...
Does that mean that you drain your entire home's lines, hot water tank, fridge lines, ect. when you return from a long trip, or every trip? Just as much, if not more "stuff" in those lines as your rig.
Grumpy

As I said in my post #4, I drain my TT's water system if it's going to sit in storage unused for more than 2 weeks. We still both work full time. We do a few one week trips over the season and several weekend trips. If we take the TT out for a weekend and won't be taking it out again for 3 weeks, I drain the water system.

Our home is never vacant for more than 2 weeks at a time. In fact, it would be rare for it to be unoccupied for more than a week. So the water in the lines and hot water tank at home are almost always being refreshed regularly. (Our fridge is not connected to the water lines.)

If I were a snowbird, then I would drain the lines and the hot water tank, and turn the water off before leaving for the winter. Admittedly, I'd do that as much as a precaution for losing power in the winter as for keeping the water system fresh.

GodsCountry · 06-22-2018, 07:03 PM

I use the low point drains at winterizing. Drain FW and bypass/drain water heater after each trip. Run fresh water thru system every week/other week between trips.

The hot water heater anode dissolved and then pressurized the system pretty good after a trip in my last trailer (sitting awhile). That is why I drain/flush it now.

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