Time for many to winterize their RV - tips and video

At the pool the other day I was chatting with a fellow from Michigan that told me his son was lamenting winterizing the RV. Sadly, that time has come. Here's an article by a friend of mine from the Dow Chemical Company on how to winterize your RV - Evanne

How to Winterize Potable Water Systems for RVs and Seasonal Equipment
Guest contributor Nicole Gorsuch

Taking a few steps now could save you big bucks next spring on your RV, boat, pool, vacation home or any other seasonal equipment or dwellings—especially when it comes to water system maintenance and avoiding burst or damaged pipes.

Here’s how to prepare your potable water system for freezing temperatures safely, effectively and with the lowest environmental impact:

Thoroughly flush and drain pipes and fixtures: Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so leave as little in your system as possible.

Use a water heater bypass: Many RV water heaters come equipped with a bypass valve system. If yours does not have one, you may want to install bypass valves to protect only the parts of the system vulnerable to freeze damage. By using a bypass loop with valves at each end, you isolate the water lines from the heater tank. This allows winterization fluid to be pumped into the system without first filling the tank with fluid.

Use specially formulated propylene glycol winterization fluid: Choosing the right winterization fluid product is important to ensure the safety of people or pets that might come in contact with and swallow spilled or stored liquid. The right type of winterization fluid also can prevent harmful pollution of ground and surface water in the event of a spill. A high quality propylene glycol winterization fluid can provide freeze and burst protection as low as -50° F, and is generally safe for people and the environment.

DOWFROST™ RVR, available at Wal-Mart, AutoZone, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Advanced Auto Parts, Pep Boys and other retailers, is specially formulated for use in RVs and other seasonal equipment, and is readily biodegradable to help protect the environment. It is safe for incidental contact by people or animals and is practically non-toxic to aquatic life. It also has the added benefit of reducing our dependence on petroleum-based chemicals, because it supplements the propylene glycol with renewable plant based ingredients.

Don’t use automotive antifreeze for water system winterization: Most auto antifreeze is made from ethylene glycol, which is more toxic than propylene glycol and can be more harmful to the environment. And don’t use windshield washer fluid either, as it can freeze solid at subzero temperatures.

Flush your system thoroughly in the spring: When winter is over, drain and then flush all of the winterization fluid from your water system, using plenty of clean water. Capture the winterization fluid and any contaminated water used to flush the system and dispose of the waste liquid properly.

Consult the instruction manual: To avoid any unnecessary surprises, be aware of and follow any specific instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.

For more information, visit http://www.dowfrostrvr.com/

Well, RV Cooking Show blog readers, I hope this was helpful. You might also want to check out this in-depth video - Evanne

PS - This blog is for informational purposes only - the RV Cooking Show assumes no responsibilty for success or failure. If you have questions or are unsure about winterizing your RV contact a professional.