How to winterize plumbing

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

FRESH WATER SYSTEM1. Drain the water tanks completely.2. Drain water heater - remove both the inlet and outlet hoses to be sure to get all the water out.3. Connect water heater inlet and outlet hoses together.4. Add non-toxic anitfreeze ("the pink stuff") and pump that through the system until all outlets--hot and cold in the galley, head, shower, and any deck wash run only antifreeze. Leave all the faucets open to make sure there is no pressure on the system. Do NOT use cheap vodka as a substitute for antifreeze. Although straight uncut vodka won't freeze, even an 80-20 dilution will. Anyone who claims it works could get away without winterizing at all. Recommissioning the fresh water system in the spring--which should be done annually if you want your water to taste and smell good--will get rid the taste and smell of antifreeze. SANITATION SYSTEM1. Pump holding tank out, then rinse thoroughly by completely filling with fresh water and 1 gallon of white vinegar twice.2. Close inlet through-hull, disconnect inlet hose and stick it in a gallon of non-toxic ("the pink stuff") antifreeze. Pump the whole gallon through the system into the holding tank. Do not reconnect head intake hose to the through-hull.3. Pump the head 50 times to get as much fluid out of the system as possible.4. After the boat comes out of the water, open all the sea cocks to drain any trapped water.

 

[Charlie Gruetzner]

Thanks Peggy

for all the great information. See you down at the SCCA annual meeting

 

[Alan]

Further help!

I have bought a Catalina 25 and the former owner stated that he had pumped the head out.But in transportation there is water in the bottom of the bowl. I will sponge that water out but the boat is in storage in a barn Now. I WILL add the pink stuff and drain the fresh water. Anything else I can do other than dump 15 gallons of pink stuff in the holding tank/plumbing etc? Thank you

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Do you know now much is in the tank?

If not, you need to find out. You do that by inspecting the tank visually. If only an inch or two, it only needs antifreeze.These are the kinds of things that should be checked when taking delivery to make sure they were done...'cuz if the seller didn't do what he promised to, you can refuse delivery till they are done. But once you sail off or pull the boat away on a trailer, those things become YOUR problem to deal with.A small amount of water in the bowl doesn't mean anything...most likely just water that was trapped in a hose running into the bowl.

 

[Rodney F Teen]

Draining hot water tank

Peggy, my inlet and outlet hoses on my 35.5 are up towards the top of the tank. You say "make sure you drain all the water out". I can't do that unless I pump it out. Even the drain valves are high. How do completely drain my hot water tank.

 

[Peggie Hall/HeadMistress]

Shop vac and hose.

However, there should be a petcock at the bottom of the water heater tank that would allow you to drain all but a quart or two out of it.

 

[Alan]

Further Help! Reply

Peggy, Thanks SOOOO much for the advice. I am going to check the holding tank and will let you know. Since the boat is in a covered building/concrete floor- no heat - I will check that and add the PINK STUFF to all the plumbing and 20 gallon holding tank. I will let you know when I lift the tank. Thanks again Alan