Community Forums

jroethke · 11-11-2013, 12:31 PM

When you’re winterizing your RV in cold climates what position do you leave all of your faucet valves (showers, sinks) in during storage for the winter?

I read an article today that said you should leave them closed but my experience has taught me to always leave them open as on occasion you can have trapped water in the valve can make the burst.

I have had this proven to me on more than one occasion living here in Wisconsin.
What are your thoughts and experiences......

Kro1957 · 11-11-2013, 12:41 PM

I do believe that I have always kept them closed. I used to just blow out all of the lines really well and that worked fine. This year, I blew them out and ran the pink thru them as added precautions. We have a washing machine now so that was the primary reason. I think as long as you have done all of the above weather they are open or closed it would not matter. But just IF you had any water in there then leaving them open might keep from getting a busted line... MIGHT

t55watson · 11-11-2013, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jroethke

When you’re winterizing your RV in cold climates what position do you leave all of your faucet valves (showers, sinks) in during storage for the winter?

I read an article today that said you should leave them closed but my experience has taught me to always leave them open as on occasion you can have trapped water in the valve can make the burst.

I have had this proven to me on more than one occasion living here in Wisconsin.
What are your thoughts and experiences......

I also leave mine open, until Jan. when I get it South of I-40.

RustyJC · 11-11-2013, 12:58 PM

The only issue I could see is that, with the faucet valves open and air free to enter, you might have a syphon situation develop over the winter IF the check valve on the water pump wasn't bubble tight. If the valves to both the fresh water tank and the anti-freeze pickup tube are closed, this might not be a big deal, but if not, one could end up with anti-freeze in the fresh water tank or on the floor.

Rusty

96 Wideglide · 11-11-2013, 01:06 PM

Close mine after running antifreeze thru them.
If your thinking that would give expanding ice a place to go, I dont think it would work.

jroethke · 11-11-2013, 01:07 PM

I also winterize a lot of summer homes that I take care of for snow birds and we always leave them open just in case. Been doing this for 20+ years here in Wisconsin so when I read this article on PPL site I was taken back. As I said I have learned this the hard way on Cottages, Pop up, TT's, Class A.

It may just be me but I will keep my valves open unless I am trying to keep the RV antifrezze from draining out. Lol

Kro1957 · 11-11-2013, 04:38 PM

A couple weeks ago I looked at several you tube videos done by RV dealers and manufacturers on winterization. I did not remember any of them opening up the valves as a final step, so since your post I decided to go back and look at a few of those.
None of the dealerships or manufacturers had you re-open the valves. I think one mentioned how it lubricates seals also. I will post one of the links which covers both methods, air and pink including the washer.

How To: Winterize Your RV's Water System - YouTube

That is one from Keystone

StevieG · 11-11-2013, 04:53 PM

I've been winterizing my mountain cabins, boats, and now my coach for many years. After I get done winterizing the entire system, I open all of the faucets. One, if by the most remote chance it gets so cold the antifreeze freezes, there is no pressure on the system. The antifreeze will leak out. Secondly, in the same situation, if the faucets are closed and something bursts, you don't have pink stuff all over, which if left over time will stain carpet.

96 Wideglide · 11-11-2013, 05:01 PM

And if the tap is open and it bursts, it's somehow going to come out of the tap

.

StevieG · 11-11-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

And if the tap is open and it bursts, it's somehow going to come out of the tap

.

If you leave the tap open, it won't burst. It gives the ice someplace to go... Into the sink.

96 Wideglide · 11-11-2013, 05:21 PM

Good luck with that

.

StevieG · 11-11-2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Good luck with that

.

No need to be sarcastic... The question by the original poster was do you leave your faucets open or keep them closed... I stated the advantages of leaving them open. You on the other hand have not answered the question with any rational reason why you leave them closed...

abrasv · 11-11-2013, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevieG

No need to be sarcastic... The question by the original poster was do you leave your faucets open or keep them closed... I stated the advantages of leaving them open. You on the other hand have not answered the question with any rational reason why you leave them closed...

X2

96 Wideglide · 11-11-2013, 06:22 PM

Leave em open if you like. Makes no diference to me!
I leave a garden hose full of water outside in the winter. Never once found the ice migrating out the open end!