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Winterize water system

November 03, 2012, 06:00:08 pm

I need some pointers on winterizing the water system.
I bought the RV antifreeze and hooked a hose onto the intake side of my water pump. My plan was to run the antifreeze through the entire system.

Last year I just drained all the tanks and opened all the water  dump valves. This year because I have the washing machine and the dishwasher I had hoped that running through the antifreeze and running the appliances I would work the antifreeze into the pumps and drains.

When I started the water pump I saw that the antifreeze was headed straight to the atwood 10gal water heater.

I don't see a loop around the water heater, is there one?
I suppose I could just buy about 13gal of the RV antifreeze and fill everything up, I was hoping for another way.

Any tips? Thanks.

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Re: Winterize water system

Reply #1 – November 03, 2012, 06:10:47 pm

You can install a water heater by pass kit so you don't need to fill the water heater with antifreeze.

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Re: Winterize water system

Reply #2 – November 03, 2012, 06:18:50 pm

Lon
You could also blow it out with air (including the washer hoses) the put a half gallon of antifreeze in the washer and pump that out to get some in the pump and pour some in each sink and the toilet.

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Re: Winterize water system

Reply #3 – November 04, 2012, 01:03:37 am

Thanks John,

The by-pass will have to be a future job. I think I have to remove the atwood next spring anyway to check the motoraid hoses. That will be a good time to install a by-pass.

I waited to the last minute this season. The area campground closing date is the 1st of November so I wanted to get as much use of the coach as I could this year. Next week I will be out of town for work all week so I won't have a chance to install a bypass before a freeze.

I will head to Menards and buy the anti-freeze I will need to fill the system Sunday, it was on sale last weekend for a couple bucks a gallon. For $30 I will be done with it .

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Re: Winterize water system

Reply #4 – November 04, 2012, 07:44:01 am

                 This is what I did for the by-pass. Inexpensive and worked great.

                    http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=15884.msg99452#msg99452

          Dean

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Re: Winterize water system

Reply #5 – November 04, 2012, 08:18:15 am

Earlier coaches like the 95 models didn't have the Monobloc system. Their bypasses need to be done at the back of the Atwood water heater. Mine is quite simple - its more expensive but take no time. I stay in Central Florida during freezing weather...

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