Community Forums

rtk · 02-15-2015, 11:56 AM

turned off water outside cause it froze inside how do I keep it from freezing inside?

nothermark · 02-15-2015, 12:01 PM

Heat.

Now why not tell us some details so we can really help?

Gordon Dewald · 02-15-2015, 12:08 PM

The hose outside will freeze quite quickly.

Leave the heat on.

How cold is it? What kind of unit?

Monacoach · 02-15-2015, 12:55 PM

Leave inside faucet running or dripping. Of course it depends on how cold we are talking. Cold and extremely cold sustatained would be two different conversations.

Ray,IN · 02-15-2015, 01:33 PM

Open all cabinet doors, this allows air circulation to the plumbing that is above the floor. Run a small fan, pointed upwards, to circulate cooler air near the floor to the ceiling, where it mixes with warmer air, keeping the interior warmer with more even temperature throughout. Disconnect your frozen water hose, and use a different one to fill your fresh water tank, then disconnect, drain and store the hose. Operate self-contained while temperatures are below freezing. If your water pump is near an access door, place a blanket or insulation between them to help keep it from freezing. You may also place a work-light in that compartment to keep it warm enough to prevent freezing.
This might be inconvenient, however, it's much less aggravation than thawing or replacing freeze-damaged plumbing.

IRVDoU · 02-15-2015, 03:48 PM

A year ago, I bit the bullet and got a PIRIT Heated water hose. It's worked great. At 8 degrees, the hose didn't freeze and water continued to flow freely.

The PIRIT hoses are expensive but well worth it. I haven't had to double wrap the water hose like others next to me have done.

I also coiled up a 12' heat strip in the wet bay and all my drain pipes and internal water lines stay warm. Ran it up through the sewer opening in the wet bay and dropped a small towel over the opening.

Lanny1763 · 02-15-2015, 04:04 PM

X2 on Pirit heated hoses, well worth the money.

GaryKD · 02-15-2015, 04:59 PM

Hi rtk,
Welcome to iRV2. The previous posts say it all. To provide proper advice more information is needed. Year, make and model of coach would be more than helpful. Until that happens, the heated water hose and keeping the cabinet doors (where plumbing resides) open should help quite a bit. Keeping the heat on (propane or electric furnace not roof mounted HVAC) goes without saying.

AFChap · 02-16-2015, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

Leave inside faucet running or dripping. Of course it depends on how cold we are talking. Cold and extremely cold sustatained would be two different conversations.

How cold does make a difference, but I would NEVER leave water dripping/trickling in an rv. Here are two recent examples of why...

I was in Alabama during December. We had a few nights below freezing, maybe as cold as 28. Neighbor, new to rv's, left her water dripping in the bath tub. Tank dump valves closed. When the tub eventually filled up she could not open the frozen dump valve.

Later, similar weather, she did the same but maybe had the gray tank valve open. This time the park hydrant froze (probably after her hose froze) and had to be replaced. Parks in that area use the 3' tall drain-back type hydrants. If left on they MUST be insulated/heated in freezing weather.

A light bulb in those sensitive compartments/areas will keep the area above freezing. If all incoming and drain lines are underground leaving a faucet or two dripping may help in some climates. I wouldn't even consider it in an rv.

Gordon Dewald · 02-16-2015, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monacoach

Leave inside faucet running or dripping. Of course it depends on how cold we are talking. Cold and extremely cold sustatained would be two different conversations.

If you leave a tap dripping your holding tank will fill up. If you leave the gray valve open the sewer hose will freeze and fill up with ice.

wa8yxm · 02-16-2015, 11:58 AM

How cold is it? Most motor homes with fully enclosed tanks and pipes are rated to 20 degrees if the furnace is set to 70 or 72.

However enough wind can still freeze thigns

On my rig i the bay under the fresh tank is a string of C-9 Christmas Tree lights, the old fashion large "outdoor" type.. they do NOT get hot enough to melt plastic (15 watt lamps will but these do not) a Thermostat turns them on at 35 off at around 40,, Plugged into the far end of the string is a 100 watt CAGED (Plastic light bulb cage) lamp in the black/gray end of the compartment.. This gives me a few more degrees.

Water heater. DO NOT turn off (Unless you drain it) as.. Well at 120 degrees it does not freeze,

Ray,IN · 02-16-2015, 04:01 PM

IMO, don't spend the big bucks for a heated water hose that does not protect the faucet hose bib. Buy a heat-tape and enough foam pipe insulation to make your own. This way you may leave enough heat-tape exposed to also protect the CG hose bib and exposed water pipe.

IRVDoU · 02-16-2015, 06:50 PM

Forgot to mention that I also coil up a 10' heat tape in the water meter box where we are. It too needs warming...

I figure what I had historically spent on 25' 5/8" water hose, plus 25' of heat tape, plus 25' of foam insulation, plus tape or wire ties to secure the insulation to the hose that was wrapped with heat tape, amounted to about the same as a Pirit Heated Hose and it's a heck of a lot less trouble.

Fredpaul · 02-16-2015, 08:42 PM

As stated it becomes more important to run your rv furnace as the temperture becomes more extreme and supplement with portable heaters. leaving cabinets open, disconnect water, and sewer. You can also add Reflective Bubble Reflective Insulation to your windows. It makes a huge difference although it will make it dark inside. Also if your already froze up you should probably turn off water pump til you get thawed out.