Going away for winter

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cindiw

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Joined
Oct 30, 2018
Messages
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Location
Pennsylvania
What do I do about water pipes? We live in a trailer in a trailer park. We will be away for three winter months. How do I handle the water situation? Pipes are known to freeze, we haven't had that problem, but we've never been away for that long.
 
If the heat is being turned off then drain all the water lines including hot water tank. Turn off hot water tank heat source,(electric or gas). Drain the traps under the sinks and fill with RV antifreeze. Drain the toilet, tank and bowl, and fill bowl with RV antifreeze.
 
Heat being left on set to low?
There is no need to "drain the toilet, tank and bowl, or the traps.
There's also traps and water trapped in the shower and or tub, where the washing machine drains, and inside the washing machine.
Just add the antifreeze to them.
If you do drain the water heater, when you start it back up remove the aerator from the closest fauset and turn on the hot water side wide open when filling to make sure the tank is full of water before turning back on.
If the heats going to shut off the main water line needs to be shut off and lines blown out with air one at a time, making sure you also disconnect the lines to the washer and the toilet to blow out all the water.
Lines need to be blown out before the water heater tank gets drained.
 
Heat being left on set to low?
There is no need to "drain the toilet, tank and bowl, or the traps.
There's also traps and water trapped in the shower and or tub, where the washing machine drains, and inside the washing machine.
Just add the antifreeze to them.
If you do drain the water heater, when you start it back up remove the aerator from the closest fauset and turn on the hot water side wide open when filling to make sure the tank is full of water before turning back on.
If the heats going to shut off the main water line needs to be shut off and lines blown out with air one at a time, making sure you also disconnect the lines to the washer and the toilet to blow out all the water.
Lines need to be blown out before the water heater tank gets drained.
Yeah, that sounds like too much work for me -- handicapped, my husband is handicapped, too. So antifreeze? That's an interesting solution, never heard of that. The water and drink lines I think are the same. I think. Tell me more about the antifreeze, please. I don't want to kill myself or others this year so far.
 
Automotive antifreeze will kill. The RV stuff is made specifically for potable water systems.
 
The antifreeze is added to the drains, not the incoming water lines.
So as long as your not drinking out of the toilet bowl you'll be fine :)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Te...l3pcc8aQjXdnoleIaU7M3qIBSj8b0X_UaAohAEALw_wcB
All your drain lines have what's called a trap, it's to prevent sewer gasses from coming into the home.
There should always be water sitting in the trap and that's what would freeze.
Look under your sink, see that U shaped piece of pipe, that's your trap.
Your not trying to winterize the whole drain line, just the small amount of water in the trap so it does not take much, about a cup full.
 
Automotive antifreeze will kill. The RV stuff is made specifically for potable water systems.
I'll check with the trailer home supply store in the area to make sure, also a couple of friends. Thank you.
 
This is he right way to winterize a house or what ever.
1) shut off main water, heat must be left on where the main shut off valve is or you could freeze the valve.
2) connect an air compressor to any water pipe and turnit on
3) go to each and every water out let one at a time and open until nothing but air comes out then close that one and on to the next one.
4) go to the bottom of the hot water tank and open it until nothing but air comes out.
5) go to the dishwasher and run cycle again on just air pressure . then turn off .
6) go to the clothes washer and run on hot and clod until nothing but air comes out. and blow out the line.
7) if you have an ice maker shut if off and blow out the line
next go to each and every fixture and add plumber anti freeze . do not forget floor drains, washing machine connections , dishwasher connections , open the tank of all toilets and remove with a sponge any water .
8) if you have a hot water heating system this too needs to be done but that is a different procedure .
Bill
 
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