Winterizing Fresh Water Tank

[Big_Daddy]

Getting ready to winterize due to a cold spell coming. The dealer where we bought our Jayco 210QB went through the process when we picked our camper up, but that has been a bit ago. I feel good about running anti-freeze through the water system, but I am still a little uncertain about how to winterize the tanks, especially the fresh water tank. I remember the dealer saying we could just use a blowout valve on the fresh water tank. Is that enough? On the black and gray tanks, is it okay to leave antifreeze and water mix in them. I know when you running antifreeze through the water system some water enters the tank before the antifreeze comes out of the various faucets. Is that water/antifreeze mix ok to leave in the black and gray? Thanks in advance for your advice and help!

 

[Kevin Cooper]

This is what I do, but there are other ways. I hook air compressor up to the black tank wash and blow all water out. I open all faucets and open low point drains. When water stops, I pull the water heater plug and open the TPR valve handle. Once it’s drained, put the plug in. I remove the water filter. Then I hook my air compressor to the water inlet at 40psi with faucets closed. Then open each point for water until water comes out (make sure to do toilet). After doing all of them, I change all of the nautilus (if you have them to 45 degrees for a minute each. Then I set them to normal city water and open all faucets again one at a time. I remove the water heater plug again and replace when water stops, if any. Then I pour straight antifreeze into all sinks, shower, and toilet. Take water filter canister off and pour any water out, and replace. Then I close all low point drains.

 

[spoon059]

Fresh tank, just open the drain. Any little residue left over won't harm anything if it freezes. It's water freezing in your pipes or drains that expand and break the pipe/drain that you are worried about. Plenty of room for a little water to expand in your fresh tank if you've drained it.

 

[Big_Daddy]

This is what I do, but there are other ways. I hook air compressor up to the black tank wash and blow all water out. I open all faucets and open low point drains. When water stops, I pull the water heater plug and open the TPR valve handle. Once it’s drained, put the plug in. I remove the water filter. Then I hook my air compressor to the water inlet at 40psi with faucets closed. Then open each point for water until water comes out (make sure to do toilet). After doing all of them, I change all of the nautilus (if you have them to 45 degrees for a minute each. Then I set them to normal city water and open all faucets again one at a time. I remove the water heater plug again and replace when water stops, if any. Then I pour straight antifreeze into all sinks, shower, and toilet. Take water filter canister off and pour any water out, and replace. Then I close all low point drains.

Hey Kevin, thanks for the detailed process...very helpful!

 

[Big_Daddy]

Fresh tank, just open the drain. Any little residue left over won't harm anything if it freezes. It's water freezing in your pipes or drains that expand and break the pipe/drain that you are worried about. Plenty of room for a little water to expand in your fresh tank if you've drained it.

Perfect, that resonates with what the RV Trainer said at the dealership. I feel a better prepared. Thank for taking time to help!