Draining water heater while winterizing

[tinkerreknit]

A couple of years ago, I drained my water heater during winterizing, and I noticed 2 problems; the warm water softened the adhesive on a vinyl badge or emblem, and the scaly water left a residue on the fender skirt that was very stubborn and difficult to remove. So for 2 years now, I have used temporary carpet protector (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.) It's adhesive on one side and comes in a roll. I wipe the area clean and stick a piece on the bottom and up the sides behind the access panel and make a valley to trickle the water away from the camper. It works great, and I thought others might benefit from this little technique.[/URL][/IMG][/URL][/IMG]

[nothermark]

Good idea! Thanks!

[hosenose]

Great idea, thanks. I need to give that a try on my Class C. You should also post it under "General Discussions" as a lot of other non 5th wheel owners could benefit from this too.

[rjbrown]

great idea I will try that

[mo5er]

Good idea, thanks for sharing

[charliej]

I open my low point valves, open the safety valve on the water heater along with all the other facets in the coach and it drains my water heater. I removed the plug last winter just to make sure and it was empty. Would be nice to flush it to get all the calcium out, maybe next time.

[SkiSmuggs]

Thanks for the tip, but too late for this year.

[JC2]

Originally Posted by charliej

I open my low point valves, open the safety valve on the water heater along with all the other facets in the coach and it drains my water heater. I removed the plug last winter just to make sure and it was empty. Would be nice to flush it to get all the calcium out, maybe next time.

One of these should be in your "toolbox" and used at least once yearly. (1) gal of generic white vinegar per 15 gals of water in the fresh tank and run through each/every faucet/waterline, then letting sit for 4-6 hrs before flushing the tank, will also help. It's always better to spend a little pro-active time on yrly maintenance then wait until something happens.
Water Heater Tank Rinser - Camco 11691 - Water Heaters - Camping World

[charliej]

Originally Posted by JC2

One of these should be in your "toolbox" and used at least once yearly. (1) gal of generic white vinegar per 15 gals of water in the fresh tank and run through each/every faucet/waterline, then letting sit for 4-6 hrs before flushing the tank, will also help. It's always better to spend a little pro-active time on yrly maintenance then wait until something happens.
Water Heater Tank Rinser - Camco 11691 - Water Heaters - Camping World

Thanks JC2, yes I picked one up last year, now I just need to get around to using it.

[mel s]

Originally Posted by JC2

(1) gal of generic white vinegar per 15 gals of water in the fresh tank and run through each/every faucet/waterline, then letting sit for 4-6 hrs before flushing the tank, will also help. It's always better to spend a little pro-active time on yrly maintenance then wait until something happens.

JC2
What does running a vinegar/water solution yearly through a fresh water sysyem suposed to accomplish??
I've never done that in an RV, (or in my 36 year old house).
Wondering
Mel
'96 Safari

[wa8yxm]

Opening low point drains puts the heater under a mild vacuum. Then remove the plug and swiftly screw in a length of pipe (like a six inch nipple) and shoot the water out beyond the heater

Or a adapter to flex hose and same result.

I replaced the drain plug on mine with a valve, works great The original (used wrong kind of plastic though) was a 1/2 inch adapter to a 1/2 inch quarter turn valve, put the plug in the other side of the valve.. To drain removed plug, installed extension and then opened valve.

[JC2]

Originally Posted by mel s

JC2
What does running a vinegar/water solution yearly through a fresh water sysyem suposed to accomplish??
I've never done that in an RV, (or in my 36 year old house).
Wondering
Mel
'96 Safari

This should explain it.

Plain white vinegar is the best calcium de-scaler you can get... you can even run it thru your lines... takes a gallon of vinegar per 15 gals of water., can make your fresh water tank sensors come back alive if they have gone dim or died. Let sit for 12-24 hours.
Your toilet flapper... just pour into water bowl and it will eat the deposits off the rubber gasket for a better seal... repeat if necessary.
If you sanitize your water system with bleach... to get rid of any bleach taste/smell., run some vinegar thru your lines per above formula.

Same with soaking your facet aerators., will unplug the screen.

[tinkerreknit]

I've never used vinegar like this, but I will remember it next year. Vinegar is good stuff in general too. We use it mixed with water to replace many cleaning products because we don't like the smell of commercial cleaners - not to mention the exposure to very dangerous chemicals and the expense.

[Ray,IN]

When we had trailers (5ers), I removed the WH drain plug and installed a radiator drain petcock (with reducer bushing adapter). From then on I slipped a foot of clear plastic tubing over the radiator petcock opening, opened the petcock, and water drained out a foot away from the trailer.