damage from freezin water heater and pipes

[mariesssc]

Hi! I am wondering if anyone can put my mind to ease or.....prepare me for what I might find!!

I had to leave my motorhome in Myrtle Beach, Sc and will pick it up after the holiday. I did not winterize it. With all the freezing weather there I am now scared that I will come back to the coach and find my water heater ruined, frozen pipes, burst pipes, or worse.

I was told that before any damaged occurred, it would have to be below freezing over 24 hrs. I am just wondering what everyone else thinks. I left abruptly but I did shut everything off....and nothing is hooked up. Water hose I put away but I just shut off the water heater. I am now wondering if there is still water in the heater and if it could possibly freeze and burst?? I am so NERVOUS. Can anyone tell me what I might come back to?
Thanks, Marie

[jackrobinryan]

Hi Marie,

I had to run down there last week as mine is stored in N MB. They had a couple of days down to 19 deg overnight. I found my fresh water filter mostly frozen. Fortunately got it drained, antifreeze added and leak tested OK.

Do you have anyone in the MB area able to do some amount of winterizing before you get back?

I'd offer, but I won't be back till the first week of Jan.

["007"]

You maybe OK for the next 10 days temps during days will be in 50's, 30's at night.
Do you know what temps were the pass few days during day time?
It will take steady cold days & nights to cause a complete freeze up if temps rise to 50's during daytime you maybe safe.
When you return use the water pump not city water pressure to check for leaks if there are any.
We'll keep our fingers crossed.
Maybe DriVer could help you out lives in that area. Send him a PM.

[Bbasso]

Not to make you worry more But in Charlotte it's been below 20 for a few nights now and day time temps are in 30s... Cold enough to do damage.

I would think if anything did freeze and break, the damage is already done. Just wait to you get there and PRAY!

[mariesssc]

Unfortunately, I don't. I had to leave in a hurry and never thought about even leaving a key with anyone. I will be back on Jan 3rd, so I guess I will have to wait til then.

[whem2fish]

if you have someone in the area i would pull the drain on waterheater they wont need a key

[Superslif]

I like to camp late into the season (Northern Ohio ) and don't winterize until I see a night that it will get to the middle 20's. If I see a forecast of 26 or colder, I'll do the deed and drain, blow and fill the pink....I wouldn't think the water tank would freeze enough to have it burst unless there was a 24 hour cycle of middle 20 degree nights followed by days below freezing. I would be more worried of any water trapped in a faucet. Also being parked under a tree would help keep the RV a little warmer.....

[Bbasso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif Also being parked under a tree would help keep the RV a little warmer.....

[Superslif]

Quote:

Haven't you ever camped on a wooded site and noticed how much colder it was in the open grassy areas. I have a digital thermometer that I'll sit out on the picnic table to see how cold it is at first light.

I remember a 2 years back at Mohican State Park in NE Ohio in mid Oct. There definitely was frost on the pumpkins. We had a semi-wooded site and it was in the mid to lower 20's at 7am in the morning. I took a walk over to the area where all the tent campers were in the open area and it was 17 degrees. I was a little worried we would need to take a head count.

[Gary RVRoamer]

A tree overhead will protect from frost, but I don't see how it can change the temperature. Wind chill difference, sure, but not temperature.

Early on, when the ground is still relatively warm, any sheltered area will be slightly warmer than the open, since the ground "heat" (even if its just 40 degree heat) is retained a bit. Maybe that's what Superslif is seeing under the trees?

[wa8yxm]

I can not say too much but I can say this.. Anyone who says "it has to be below freezing for xx hours" is talking through their hat.

I mean 31 degrees.. then yes, it's going to take hours

-31 degrees.. Not so many hours. (And I have seen -40 back in Michigan, many times)

I'm in Fair Play SC. (3 miles From Georgia off I-85) and I had an outside fitting (A brass "Y") bust in just an overnight. IT thawed the next morning.. The park has had broken pipes every day this week save this one (Got down to 19 the other morning) My rig survived w/o damage however and my outside hoses....... Were not hooked up and were full of air so no damage.

I think you will be OK.. but I would recommend you be prepared.

[mariesssc]

Thanks for everyone's reply. I am not going to let it bother me (too much!) since whatever happened has already happened. I am going to prepare for the worst and hopefully I can get in my rig and turn the heat on and have a glass of wine as soon as I get in! Marie