Draining water heater

Angus · 10-17-2015, 05:23 PM

We winterized for the first time yesterday, (only after perusing many a post here). I drained the water heater, flipped the bypass and blew out the lines with air. I thought I had done a good job. I was double checking a post on here and found one that stated to blow out the water heater too to get more out. So we did and ended up with what sounded like a large pocket of water within the heater. I ran the air for about 10 min and could hear it bubling thru the pocket. We got most of it out. We finished with running the antifreeze thru all the faucets, hot and cold, flushed the head, and poured some more in the p-traps.

Did I miss something with the water heater? Could I have done it different to get that final pocket out the first time?

Also, do you leave any antifreeze in the bowl of the toilet? I voted yes and the DW voted no. Can you guess who won?

us71na · 10-17-2015, 05:35 PM

The thing with water in the pipes is if the water freezes it can't go anywhere and it pushes out on the pipes with tremendous pressure which can rupture the pipes. A little water in the bottom of the water heater if it freezes can't really exert any pressure on the walls of the tank so it is unlikely to do any damage.

If you are worried about the water that remains, get a wet dry vac and a tube that will go in through the drain hole to suck out the remaining water.

Whatever you do don't put antifreeze in your water heater.

SmokerBill · 10-17-2015, 05:44 PM

Even when an Atwood water heater is drained from the plug, there's still a quart or so still in the bottom. I stick a curved piece of vinyl tubing into the drain hole, trying to get the end to touch bottom-center of the water heater. A quick suck on the hose end will siphon the rest of the water out.

John K. · 10-17-2015, 06:00 PM

We put antifreeze in the toilet to keep the gasket moist; if you use water, it freezes. I don't think that is good for the gasket.

Winterizing seems like such a challenge until you do it once or twice, and then...it's just another chore, don't you think?

THE MEEKER · 10-17-2015, 06:25 PM

What I have done for the past few years is to drain the hot water tank (leaving plug out) with the pressure relief valve open just before leaving the last campsite of the season. By the time I get home, the tank is virtually bone dry. As I start to add antifreeze to the plumbing, I run some to the hot water tank, then bypass it and complete winterizing the whole system.

THE MEEKER · 10-17-2015, 06:30 PM

us71na or anyone else, why should you not put antifreeze in the hot water tank?

I have put in a little in for years without any issues.

Angus · 10-17-2015, 06:54 PM

So it was just on the bottom of the hot water tank. Good news. Overall, the whole process was fairly painless.

My in-laws were telling me I needed at least 4 gallons of antifreeze. I only used one and a little of the 2nd. I guess their grey tank is extra protected.

Swinepartner · 10-17-2015, 07:00 PM

My dad and I just winterized mine today. I'm recovering from shoulder surgery, so dad turned the valve for the HWH. I drained heater, and we pumped antifreeze through lines and out faucets, to include outdoor shower. Wiped up mess in shower so won't stain and done. Took about 20 min and 1 gal of antifreeze.

Seann45 · 10-18-2015, 07:41 AM

Yes a cup full of antifreeze in the toilet to keep the seal moist... a little water in the bottom of the HW heater is not a problem.. a full tank would be..

Meeker it is just a waste of antifreeze to fill the HW tank with it...

How do you make antifreeze?... hide her red woolies...LOL OK I will stop now..

Jagiven · 10-18-2015, 08:33 AM

I have only accidentally put antifreeze in my water heater.

As for the toilet bowl, I put antifreeze in there, then I put a drop of mineral oil to keep it from evaporating over the winter, p traps too.

us71na · 10-18-2015, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE MEEKER

us71na or anyone else, why should you not put antifreeze in the hot water tank?

Because the tank is a tank, flushing out the antfreeze takes a lot of water to insure you get it all out. Fluid in the tank mixes to some degree with the water coming in.

Still have doubts....Some time when you have nothing better to do, heat up the tank, turn off the heater and then see how many gallons you have to run through the tank before you get the same temperature water as is coming in from the city.

Murff · 10-18-2015, 08:13 PM

I have been diluting three gallons of antifreeze with water in the fresh water tank for years and have yet to see any harm done. I have been told that if you do not have a hot water tank bypass that six gallons of antifreeze or the solution I make, is the minimum to ensure that the tank has antifreeze in it.

Murff

Flapper · 10-18-2015, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murff

I have been diluting three gallons of antifreeze with water in the fresh water tank for years and have yet to see any harm done. I have been told that if you do not have a hot water tank bypass that six gallons of antifreeze or the solution I make, is the minimum to ensure that the tank has antifreeze in it.

Murff

Diluting may get you by in Seattle, but in colder climes (Minnesota, Canada, etc.) you never want to dilute the antifreeze.

Murff · 10-18-2015, 09:25 PM

I understand, Flapper. It will never get to -50 here and the RV dealer owner that told me about diluting the antifreeze claims it is still good for -25 and we won't see that either.

Now those of you in the Midwest or the Great White Frozen North...

Murff

jal0710 · 10-19-2015, 07:45 AM

Why fill the hot water tank with antifreeze during the winter when it's so easy to just empty it? If you empty it then any water remaining will not expand enough to hurt the tank.

tnchuck100 · 10-19-2015, 10:05 AM

Putting antifreeze in the water heater, the fresh water tank, the grey tank and the black tank is a waste of time and antifreeze. Additionally by doing so you have added a lot of time and water ridding the water heater and the fresh water tank of that antifreeze.

The issue with freezing is the expansion. The only place this is an issue is in the water lines, the pump and P-traps. The holding tanks and water heater (drained, of course) have plenty of room for the expansion and will suffer no damage.

tjpolsin · 10-19-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

We winterized for the first time yesterday, (only after perusing many a post here). I drained the water heater, flipped the bypass and blew out the lines with air. I thought I had done a good job. I was double checking a post on here and found one that stated to blow out the water heater too to get more out. So we did and ended up with what sounded like a large pocket of water within the heater. I ran the air for about 10 min and could hear it bubling thru the pocket. We got most of it out. We finished with running the antifreeze thru all the faucets, hot and cold, flushed the head, and poured some more in the p-traps.

Did I miss something with the water heater? Could I have done it different to get that final pocket out the first time?

Also, do you leave any antifreeze in the bowl of the toilet? I voted yes and the DW voted no. Can you guess who won?

suck it up and tell your DW that you win. let a cup or two of anti-freeze sit in the toilet bowl. That way your flush valve won't dryout.

BTW, I have never seen and staining from RV anti-freeze.

Angus · 10-19-2015, 04:42 PM

Revisited the discussion armed with the gasket perspective. Antifreeze now floating in the bowl.

Decided that I got as much out of the W/H as was possible.

Should be no plumbing surprises come may.

Thanks guys.

**norty1** · 10-19-2015, 06:11 PM

I have heard of some who stick a small clear hose in the bottom of the wh and siphon that little bit out. Only if you are anal about water.

It won't hurt anything if it freezes.

ninjahbob · 10-19-2015, 06:56 PM

ANGUS. I may have missed it but remember to put antifreeze in each of the P Traps and in the out side shower both hot and cold side.

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