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Old 10-08-2013, 08:18 PM   #1
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winterizing question

whats better? using compressed air to blow out the lines or using antifreeze to winterize the TT
i have tried both methods and find compressed air much faster
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Old 10-08-2013, 08:35 PM   #2
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Both equally effective.
Personal preference and available tools.

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Old 10-08-2013, 08:59 PM   #3
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Question....if you have water in your water pump and then only use air to blow out lines is there still water in your pump. I have always used anti freeze to make sure my pump was winterized too. Am I missing somerhing if I just went twith air? I could run the pump dry and then blow the lines but concerned that water may seep back into the pump flex tube line.
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Old 10-09-2013, 02:12 PM   #4
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Used the air compressor method on my previous TT and in 6 years never had an issue. All so have a houseboat and do the same. No problems. I drain the fresh water tank and then run the pump to flush any water thru the pump. Any that might be left doesn't cause any problems. Always by-pass the water heater before doing either. You drain it with the drain plug. You don't want to get pink stuff in the HW heater. Won't hurt the heater, but will be difficult to get flushed from your system next spring. Only use the pink stuff in the sink traps and toilet. Remember to blow out the toilet line and the outside shower.
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Old 10-09-2013, 03:00 PM   #5
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i have looked at some videos on youtube and they recommend to run your pump for about 30 seconds during the processes i guess to make sure the water pump is ampty
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Old 10-09-2013, 03:32 PM   #6
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I do both, blow out all the water with compressed air and then run antifreeze through.
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Old 10-09-2013, 04:30 PM   #7
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I think it really depends on where you live and how cold it gets.....a few days below freezing, or the entire winter never reaching above 0. We err on the side of caution and use anti-freeze.
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Old 10-10-2013, 10:51 AM   #8
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I use anti-freeze. Doesn't take all that long....

1) Ensure tanks drained.
2) Hot water bypass
3) Pump inlet hose into the antifreeze
4) Run all the taps till water turns pink.

Done
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Old 10-10-2013, 11:50 AM   #9
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I do both, blow out all the water with compressed air and then run antifreeze through.
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Old 10-10-2013, 01:14 PM   #10
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winterizing question

How do you blow out the water lines? I have a compressor, but how/where do you blow them out?
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Old 10-10-2013, 09:08 PM   #11
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As we are in a cold state (Michigan) I go for safety and blow 'em with air and use anti freeze. For $10 or so, it's cheap insurance.
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Old 10-11-2013, 07:27 AM   #12
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You can get a hose connection w/ nipple that looks like a tire air valve. Just screw it onto the city water intake connection. Use a low pressure compressor connected this way. Open a faucet and turn on the pump. When that line spits air for a few seconds, close it and immediately open the next one. Flush the toilet [hold the flush valve open until it spits air], and so on until you've done the same to all water fixtures. Remember the shower and the outside shower wands. Either unscrew the wands and let the water drain from them by opening the valve at the head or just do the air blow out thing. I usually go back and do them all a second time just for good measure. Finally dump a cup of antifreeze into the sink and tub traps and you're done.

Forgot to mention that you need to open the low point drains and let the fresh water tank and water lines drain. that will get rid of most of the water in the lines. Then [see above] go thru the blow.

I don't like to use the pink stuff any more than necessary, because it will taint the taste of the water in the Spring and require you to flush the system several times to get rid of the residual. Also when I pull into a rest area on my way north and into the freeze belt, I can winterize on the spot and don't need several gallons of pink stuff.

As to the point about the super cold climate making a difference, when water freezes solid, that's it. At some point the expansion that causes the damage will have occured and staying below zero fo months on end won't make any difference. Pipes can freeze and potentially burst in just one good freeze. Do a good job with the compressor or the pink stuff and you'll be good to go. its more a matter of preference than anything. they both work.
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Old 10-11-2013, 07:42 PM   #13
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you need blowout quick connect http://www.amazon.com/Camco-36143-Br...rv+accessories
connect it to city water input and use the compressor about 25-30 psi
there are lots of videos on youtube about it
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Old 10-12-2013, 07:42 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by lennyl View Post
you need blowout quick connect http://www.amazon.com/Camco-36143-Br...rv+accessories
connect it to city water input and use the compressor about 25-30 psi
there are lots of videos on youtube about it
I like this adaptor. I built one like this from parts. On mine I use a small hose end valve (forgot the name), so I can turn the air on and off as I wish without disconnecting the compressor.

If you blow out your lines, make sure to reduce your air pressure to 25-30 psi, or you can damage part of your water system.
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Old 10-12-2013, 03:37 PM   #15
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Always carry a small compressor to top off a low tire or blow up a water toy. Keep the adapter in the tool box. In a pinch can stop for gas or just a rest area and can re-winterize in a flash. Just remember the outdoor shower and indoor shower wand. You could do the same thing with the pink stuff but you would have to have a couple gallons with you.
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Old 10-13-2013, 05:40 AM   #16
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I would be concerned about just using compressed air because there may be enough water left in the lines to settle to the low point in the lines and freeze. You need to blow a large volume of air through the lines to get all the water out. A portable 12 volt compressor for inflating tires isn't going to provide enough air volume to adequately blow out the lines. As others have stated $10 of antifreeze is cheap insurance compared to the cost of replacing water lines.

Even if you blow out the lines and drain the hot water tank, you still have water in the sink and shower drains that will freeze unless it is displaced by antifreeze.

You can use slightly less anti freeze if you blow out the lines first.
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Old 10-13-2013, 05:48 AM   #17
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I would be concerned about just using compressed air because there may be enough water left in the lines to settle to the low point in the lines and freeze. You need to blow a large volume of air through the lines to get all the water out. A portable 12 volt compressor for inflating tires isn't going to provide enough air volume to adequately blow out the lines. As others have stated $10 of antifreeze is cheap insurance compared to the cost of replacing water lines.

Even if you blow out the lines and drain the hot water tank, you still have water in the sink and shower drains that will freeze unless it is displaced by antifreeze.

You can use slightly less anti freeze if you blow out the lines first.
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Old 10-13-2013, 08:31 AM   #18
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I would be concerned about just using compressed air because there may be enough water left in the lines to settle to the low point in the lines and freeze. You need to blow a large volume of air through the lines to get all the water out. A portable 12 volt compressor for inflating tires isn't going to provide enough air volume to adequately blow out the lines. As others have stated $10 of antifreeze is cheap insurance compared to the cost of replacing water lines.

Even if you blow out the lines and drain the hot water tank, you still have water in the sink and shower drains that will freeze unless it is displaced by antifreeze.

You can use slightly less anti freeze if you blow out the lines first.
We've kind of beat this one to death. Either way or combination of both works. I prefer the compressor method and have done it for over 10 years on 2 campers and a houseboat without any problems. Have to take issue though with the concern you raise about needing a bigger compressor. Simply not true. A small compressor works just fine as you don't want to over pressurize the lines. The little ones set not to exceed 20 or 25 psi do great. Just hook it to the city water intake valve, turn it on, and then go from one faucet to the next, opening each one until it stops pushing out water. I make a complete pass on all of them, then recheck the low point drains in case water may have drained into them. Close the lowpoint drains and go thru the process a second time. I like to start with the faucets that are farthest from the water input and work backwards.

think its time to move on with this thread. Starting to sound like people arguing politics and no one is going to have their mind changed. My only reason making this last post, is to correct inaccurate statements that have been made. Don't use the air compressor method if you prefer the pink stuff. This is afterall still America [or maybe Canada for some].
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