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Mkostok · 01-28-2013, 08:41 AM

I live in NJ and it hasn't hit above 25 degrees within the last week. Also been in the single digits at night. Anyway, my tanks are frozen now. I had heaters in there that helped it not freeze but I wasn't aware that the breaker blew one night.What is the best way to try to thaw them? Will it help to thaw if I add antifreeze now? Really not sure what to do. Thanks for any help.

Skip426 · 01-28-2013, 09:34 AM

Is your problem with the fresh water tank? Black and Gray ?
Are all your supply lines frozen too ? 12v pump?

Mkostok · 01-28-2013, 09:44 AM

I don't use the fresh water tank. I know the black tank is frozen so I'm pretty sure the grey is the same. I use a mercerator pump to empty the tanks. Water lines are ok. I checked yesterday when the temp outside went above freezing and water came out of the sinks. Just a quick on and off though. I didn't keep it running.

hometool · 01-28-2013, 10:00 AM

looks like the weather is going to warm up later this week so if you wate a couple days i would suspect thay will thaw. if the tanks are not completly full you could add hot water to speed things up

Tony Lee · 01-28-2013, 10:05 AM

If you can get water to flow down into the tanks and they aren't too full, then pouring lots of antifreeze down will speed up the thaw. Once in Germany my grey tank froze and I made up very strong solutions of calcium chloride in hot water and poured that down the drain. Took a couple of hours to work, but it did work.

It is most likely the whole tank hasn't frozen and may only be the drain pipe that is solid.

Apart from my suggestion, heat is the only other way and if the tanks are inaccessible, that may not be practical anyway.

radams · 01-28-2013, 10:10 AM

One way or another you need to get the tanks warmed up enough to thaw them out. Antifreeze won't help at this point. If you haven't already I would start by getting the heaters working again. Getting it indoors out of the elements would help a lot if you know anywhere you could do that. Maybe a helpful RV dealer or truck repair facility would let you park inside over night. Barring that I would see about renting a couple of salamanders and have them blow hot air underneath the coach along with putting some plastic sheathing as a skirt around the affected area to contain the heat. Depending on how full your tanks are you could try running hot water into them too. Overall I think getting it indoors is your best bet.

FishaPalooza · 01-29-2013, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Lee

Once in Germany my grey tank froze and I made up very strong solutions of calcium chloride in hot water and poured that down the drain. Took a couple of hours to work, but it did work.

Danger!!!!! Calcium Chloride is supposed to be mixed with cold water and strictly according to the directions. If you don't know what your doing with this chemical I would suggest you don't use it. Too much chemical, too little water, or water too hot and you could experience a boil over.

AndrewC · 01-29-2013, 02:48 AM

I would put few gallons of windshield washer in my tank i always use that when i am traveling
Andrew

Caveman CBB · 01-29-2013, 05:29 PM

Get the heaters working again. It's hopefully just the drain pipe that is froze. A salamander heater pointing at it from a safe distance will most likely do the trick but, be careful you don't get it to close and melt something.

winniman · 01-29-2013, 06:08 PM

Try putting some skirting around the underside to hold the heat in. even some tarps will help. Put a couple micro furnaces under there. I dont know if salamanders would be advisable. These are in the 150,000 btu range and might cause more damage than what you have now. I have seen lots of stuff melted by them. I work in construction.

Stanleyg · 01-30-2013, 02:45 PM

What about a gallon of methalhydrate? If it will work to thaw gas lines, why not water lines?

Caveman CBB · 01-31-2013, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanleyg

What about a gallon of methalhydrate? If it will work to thaw gas lines, why not water lines?

Maybe but, you have to dump those tanks eventually and you should not be dumping stuff like this in a septic system. Also, it burns that's why you can put in your gas. I don't think you want flamable stuff in your tanks.