What is the purpose of this

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by aplunkett

I use a stick for that too.

The stick keeps the water droplets from freezing and sticking the seal to the valve. The valve seals have been known to tear upon opening if closed for prolonged period during the winter. Even after the ice has melted.

When I winterize my trailer, I also put a lot of rubber seal silicone on the rubber seal top and bottom, then open and close the foot pedal to get some of that rubber seal silicone on the ball. Then I put about 3 - 4 inches of pink antifreeze in the bowl and let sit all winter. Never had any sticking issues.

[dkeller]

Since I have heard on both sides what is best, should you keep the valve open or leave with antifreeze, my concern about leaving valve open all winter is if there is any smell or anything else in there, as well as the small chance of something falling into the opening with my luck.