Blowing Your Lines

[mitch5252]

So, how dangerous is blowing out your water lines for winterizing?

(If this was recently covered, sorry...I was away for a while. I searched and found nothing).

[OutandAbout]

Mitch, it's not dangerous at all, in fact quite easy with the air pressure machine. LInda

[VickieP]

Mitch, it's not dangerous at all, in fact quite easy with the air pressure machine. LInda

Uh, Linda, I don't think she need a machine for that...as long as hot air is okay to use.

[mitch5252]

Mitch, it's not dangerous at all, in fact quite easy with the air pressure machine. LInda

Uh, Linda, I don't think she need a machine for that...as long as hot air is okay to use.

Doggoneit...you beat me to the exact same punch...(only difference, substitute YOU for ME)...

[mitch5252]

After I posted, I realized I don't know how to do it. Where do you put the air compressor hose??? DUH on me.

[VickieP]

Where do you put the air compressor hose???

I have a suggestion.....

[mitch5252]

Where do you put the air compressor hose???

I have a suggestion.....

Up yours to make a balloon?????

[BirdbyBird]

The Gulfstream has two water intakes: one to fill the water tank and one to hook up to when using city water. When my helpful husband blew out the water lines on the Short Bus first year....the process "blew"the back flap on the city water line so the next year when I filled the water tank and turned the water pump on, the water got pumped right back out the city water line. I now have a cap that fits over that intake. I think that you CAN fix it by taking the intake off and replacing the flap...but this way if I ever need water outside and am boon-docking I could put a hose on the outside turn on the water pump and have an outside water source .....my model does not have an outside shower...but then in 7 years I have never missed not having one, even when I did have one!

[sharon]

WOO HOO!! The dufus twins are back!! I've missed you guys! Sorry, tho, we don't winterize here in SoCal, so don't know how to blow out lines. But I have a few suggestions.....

[Getupngo]

I'll just park my rig at Sharon's house ...

[sharon]

I'll just park my rig at Sharon's house ...

Anytime!

[Deonne]

Hello wonderful women! It's me again, with yet another question. I read the winterizing threads here, but still am not clear - since I'm on the road off and on this winter, can I get by without doing the RV antifreeze thing, and blow out my lines instead?

I'll be in Taos, where it does freeze overnight, for a couple weeks at a time, but then heading to warmer climes in between (Texas tomorrow, AZ/CA in December, the southeast in January). I'd love to not have to do the antifreeze thing every time, but is that impossible to avoid? Since I drain the tanks, isn't it just kitchen sink and shower/toilet I need to worry about? Antifreeze in the toilet isn't a problem, but shower/sink I'd obviously need to flush well before going back out on the road.

And if I blow out the lines, do I use the air at a gas station? Or is there something I can buy to do it at home?

Or, this is probably crazy, should I turn on Sadie's (propane) heater if I know it's going to dip below freezing when I'm in Taos?

So much to learn! Boy do I appreciate all your expertise. A lifesaver.

[Bethers]

No need to do anything for some nights dipping below freezing. Well, except to maybe disconnect the water hose. I've spent lots of time in colder climes - without a problem there. As long as you are using the rig - heat, etc. Your water tank and black and grey tanks won't freeze because a night falls under 30. I've had nights in the teens - snow storms, etc. As long as the days are warming up - don't worry about it. Especially if you're using the rig and it's warm inside!!!

I think I understood your post - but if the rig is sitting for weeks at a time - empty, and you're having hard freezes, without the day temps getting much above the low 30's, then you'll need to reconsider.

[Deonne]

Beth - that is such a relief, thank you. I pictured myself pouring in antifreeze, flushing antifreeze, pouring in antifreeze... all winter long. Whew!

[Deonne]

Beth - to clarify, I do mean that Sadie will be sitting for a couple weeks at a time unused in Taos, where it freezes overnight. But we get sun here almost every day, and most days even in the winter are above 30. Still okay? And when you said disconnect the water hose, I assume you mean to city water? I even left the taps open inside just in case, though not sure that would help.