First winter, first time to winterize

Well its wintertime in Texas. For those elsewhere that means we will have days like today at 70F then in a week it will be in the Teens.

About a month ago I drained everything thinking (100% incorrectly ) that this would be enough to get us through the winter if I kept the heat on. We had a pretty good freeze early.

Pretty sure this is why the HWH bypass valve failed.

Replaced the HTH Bypass valve then went online and bought some stuff on Amazon..I put the link for each below the pic if you are interested. Not an endorsement, just what I bought. If anyone is using something they like better PLEASE let me know...



https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1




I looked at several blow out tool options and pump kits. All the pump kits seemed about the same.


Blow out connectors are completely different. Some connectors only allowed for FULL ON once connected, they screwed into the city water port and you hook the air hose up directly to that, not a good idea IMO.

This one allows me to control the flow and pressure and easily shut off the valve when my compressor was getting low on volume and need to recharge. It is nice because I can control the flow from the water port with 1 hand, not at the compressor which is in my garage 40 feet away on the other side of the coach. I did set the out put line pressure at about 20 LBS so I would not blow the lines off.

Reading the manuals on winterizing was confusing . One place told me one thing, another booklet told me another . IRV2 had awesome info and YOUTUBE, once again ruled the day.

Here is my process (CHECKLIST) so far,
1. HWH Bypass valve in bypass position
2. Filter removed from whole house water filtration canister and canister put back in place
3. Fresh water holding tank drained and valve slightly cracked open, not enough for bugs to get in but water to get out
4. Drain removed in HWH
----Made red flag to put on HWH so I dont forget plug is out
5. Opened all "lowest point" drains
6. Opened all valves inside the coach, sinks, shower etc hot and cold including the outside shower
7. Shut off water valve for dishwasher
8. Shut off water valve for ice maker
9. Removed panel to access washer dryer
10. Shut of water to washer
11. Left panel off for warm air to circulate
12. Used new blow out tools shown above to blow excess water from system. (AMAZED HOW MUCH WAS STILL IN SYSTEM)
13. Did this 4 times till virtually nothing came out.

Had wife help with next part
14. Pumped antifreeze through system while wife opened the hot then cold valves starting at the closest ones to the wet bay. I pumped slowly while she opened valves and told me when the antifreeze was coming out.
Bath lav sink, Hot and cold till pink
Toilet flushed till pink
Shower hot and cold till pink
Kitchen sink hot and cold till pink
Outside shower hot and cold till pink
15. Poured antifreeze down every drain including the P Trap for the washer -- THIS WAS A PITA..

WE USED 1.5 GALLONS OF ANTIFREEZE int he water lines. I poured the remainder of the 2nd gallon equally down each drain to get the P-TRAPS

16. Set Heat pump on 50F (not using the gas furnace)
17. Put 2 temp controlled space heaters set on lowest setting.
1 in the bath room on floor
1 in the master with closet door open for washer lines (on granite counter top)
18. Propped open all cabinet doors for under sinks, all bedroom doors, and closet doors

FUEL SYSTEM
1. Anti Gel in tank
2. Anti fungal in tank

______________

This took me about 2 hours from start to finish.

I am pretty sure I'm covered but if you see something I missed or know a trick, I'm all ears.

Here's the part that kinda suxs,

ITS 70... AAAARRRRGGGGGG