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Old 10-27-2016, 09:09 PM   #1
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Winterizing: Air Pressure vs. Antifreeze

It's time to winterize and I am wondering what the preferred method is among rvers and why. What are the pros and cons of these two methods?


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Old 10-28-2016, 04:18 AM   #2
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We use the tank water for drinking so I blow out with air pressure, drive around a bit with low drains open, disconnect the water pump and remove the water filter.
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Old 10-28-2016, 05:26 AM   #3
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I drain all of the water including the water heater, remove and drain the water softner and all water filter housings. I then blow the system out with air. I live in Northwest Montana and this has always worked for me.
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Old 10-28-2016, 06:57 PM   #4
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Compressed air for me, been using it for 19 years.

Why>> because my wife won't let me use the antifreeze.

I drain all the water out of my system, then hook up the compressor to the shore water hookup and start purging individual lines one at a time, rotating through until I have no water coming out. I then pour some antifreeze in each P trap and some down the toilet to make sure there is some in each of the dump valves.
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Old 10-28-2016, 07:30 PM   #5
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Compressed air for me also. have to use a little RV antifreeze in the washing machine to get the pump and in the traps.
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Old 10-28-2016, 07:43 PM   #6
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Count me in the antifreeze camp. I'm more confident I can get it everywhere it needs to be, than to remove water from everywhere it doesn't.

It takes four gallons, at $5 a gallon, so cost is not an issue.
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Old 10-29-2016, 12:18 AM   #7
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If you have an Aqua Hot or Hydro Hot, you have no alternative. You have to use antifreeze. You cannot get those units drained enough to insure they will not freeze. Other than that, either way should work.

When it mattered, I used antifreeze. I felt better because I could see the water turn pink so I knew I had things done. Not sure how you are sure you have things cleaned out with just air.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:14 AM   #8
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I'm in the compressed air camp. I know it is done correctly when just air comes out of the faucets.

Don't forget the ice maker, washing machine, black tank flush, and fresh water tank fill lines.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:29 AM   #9
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Put me in the OVER KILL camp. First I use air to blow out all the lines, washing machine, and water in door and ice maker. I then pump antifreeze thru the WHOLE system. Like mentioned above the antifreeze IS needed to push the last bit of water out of the washing machine and fill the pump with it. It's also needed in the ice maker to push the last bit of water out of it also. I usually leave the pump on and the ice maker making ice (frozen antifreeze cubes) for about 3-4 hours. IMO the extra $ is well worth the savings if there's ANY water left in any system for the $ of the repairs.
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Old 10-29-2016, 06:36 AM   #10
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Another blow it out then pump the pink. It's just not worth taking a chance on cracking a valve body. Takes about a half hour start to finish.

We also drink from the tank. Proper sanitazation in the spring clears out any residual antifreeze. As far as that goes the antifreeze is a common food additive and laxative.
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Old 10-29-2016, 07:37 PM   #11
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I use air, then antifreeze, but none goes into the fresh water tank
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Old 10-29-2016, 08:43 PM   #12
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I have been using compressed air for 11 years with no issues. If you have a washing machine, look in the user manual to find the procedure to winterize it with compressed air. Also the SaniCon, if you have one, will need special attention. After blowing everything out, draining the water heater and filter housings, I pour antifreeze in the washing machine tub, the SaniCon and all the P-traps. A gallon of antifreeze lasts me 2 years and I don't have any antifreeze taste in the plumbing next spring.
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Old 10-30-2016, 04:55 AM   #13
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If you sanitize in the spring there is no residual anti freeze taste in the water.

If you have a valve between the water tank and the pump you want a bit of antifreeze in the valve core. That will get a small bit in the tank.
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Old 10-30-2016, 05:16 AM   #14
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One thing I have noticed on my coach is the fresh water tank drain and supply ports are about 1" above the tank bottom. So on level surface there is always 1 inch of water left in the tank. I have a section of driveway that is sloped so I normally drive the coach to there and drain most of the remaining water out.
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