Winterizing tip

[frieed]

I was winterizing the trailer the other day (I'm trying the compressed air method) and noticed that the water heater retained at least a qt of water in the bottom.
I found a short piece of 1/4 nylon icemaker line and the natural curve allowed me to siphon off the last of the water via the drain bung at the bottom of the tank.

--Frieed

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Nice tip although there is no need to worry about that little bit. The WH is designed to hold a little and allow freezing without worry. There is room for the ice to expand.

[mitechie]

It's also insulated to keep the heat in. I wonder how well it would do at keeping that little water from freezing as well.

[RedHorse1]

I found a flushing wand for the water heater at my local RV parts place. It's similar to a flushing wand for the black tank just smaller and more pleasant to use. I screwed an adapter and air quick-connect onto the threaded connector (meant for your hose) and use compressed air to blow it out, only once. I don't bother now because as "lifted" points out it's not really enough water to worry about. I see you're in MI, so I'd expect it'll get cold enough, long enough to freeze the water heater. Here in South TX it'd be a real cold winter for us if that were to happen. I still drain it tho since some folks have reported a bad smell if the water is left in for an extended period.

[frieed]

I just wasn't sure about the design allowing for ice.
Old time blacksmiths always used a tapered quench bucket since the ice would not break it.

[Bassdogs]

pipes and fixtures burst because when water freezes it also expands. A little water like in your WH wouldn't cause a problem because there is plenty of space for the expansion. Plastic water lines are a bit more forgiving than hard lines since they can expand without cracking.

Good tip on the WH. Always good to make a good job even better.