Any suggestions as to how to clear out the lines for winter storage in the Pacific north West? I would like to blow out the lines with air pressure and would like to get some pointers.
Thanks
Thanks
Winterizing Fresh Water Tanks
- Thread starter canuck
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dry fresh water layup
I attempted that once, but since my sinks are so far above the low points of the pump suction, tank flat bottoms and low runs of pressure tubing, I ran air through it for an hour (kinked and clamped my vent, put an inflation compressor with some rubber wrapped around the hose into my tank fill, opened all the spigots). After waiting around and feeling some first dribbly but later dry air coming out to my sinks, I shut it off and opened a hose right at the pump discharge- still very wet. So I still thought it might freeze hoses, or worse pump. I used the dreaded non-toxic anti freeze. Opening all the clamps and mannually getting all the low spots dry is something I've tried too, but that is miserable work on my vessel, it takes forever and is tough on the hose ends.
For the last few years I have traded the nasty non-toxic antifreeze for cheap vodka and am much happier with the results. I run the tank empty, let it gurgle out of each opening separately for about a minute each then shut it off. Then I pour 2 2 liter vodkas (sometimes I can find them on sale for less than 9 bucks each). Run the pump quickly at each opening until I can taste vodka. It makes for some very dirty martinis or some pretty unique tasting bloody marys in the spring, but my wife has never complained once about the residual texture or odor - we generally only use the water for dishwashing, but she would complain for a month when I used the non-toxic anti freeze about the smell and texture of the water even when I did a double full tank with treatment flush to start the season.
I attempted that once, but since my sinks are so far above the low points of the pump suction, tank flat bottoms and low runs of pressure tubing, I ran air through it for an hour (kinked and clamped my vent, put an inflation compressor with some rubber wrapped around the hose into my tank fill, opened all the spigots). After waiting around and feeling some first dribbly but later dry air coming out to my sinks, I shut it off and opened a hose right at the pump discharge- still very wet. So I still thought it might freeze hoses, or worse pump. I used the dreaded non-toxic anti freeze. Opening all the clamps and mannually getting all the low spots dry is something I've tried too, but that is miserable work on my vessel, it takes forever and is tough on the hose ends.
For the last few years I have traded the nasty non-toxic antifreeze for cheap vodka and am much happier with the results. I run the tank empty, let it gurgle out of each opening separately for about a minute each then shut it off. Then I pour 2 2 liter vodkas (sometimes I can find them on sale for less than 9 bucks each). Run the pump quickly at each opening until I can taste vodka. It makes for some very dirty martinis or some pretty unique tasting bloody marys in the spring, but my wife has never complained once about the residual texture or odor - we generally only use the water for dishwashing, but she would complain for a month when I used the non-toxic anti freeze about the smell and texture of the water even when I did a double full tank with treatment flush to start the season.
Air
I have always used just Air in the boat and RV just allow the tanks to empty and just blow the pump or drain the pump of any water aand the sink drain blow some air to get any water out and never had any problems.
Nick
I have always used just Air in the boat and RV just allow the tanks to empty and just blow the pump or drain the pump of any water aand the sink drain blow some air to get any water out and never had any problems.
Nick
I first drain all water from the tank. I then drain and disconnect the input and output on the water heater and use a bypass to join the in and out together. I disconnect the fresh water pump and take it home. I blow the water out of the lines at the point where they were connected to the water pump. You blow air until no more water comes out of any faucets.
The first year I didn't take the water pump home. Must have had water in it because it wouldn't pump the next spring. Replaced the pump.
Don't forget to use pink stuff on the ice-box drain, head, and pour some into your bilge also.
The first year I didn't take the water pump home. Must have had water in it because it wouldn't pump the next spring. Replaced the pump.
Don't forget to use pink stuff on the ice-box drain, head, and pour some into your bilge also.
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