Winterizing thread

[pattypape]

Ralph & Bob,

I do appreciate your experience and respect your success with
the short cut methods outlined in the BB manuals.

But at my age, I have far too many examples of family, neighbors,
and friends, using the air blow method to winterize their cabins,
their homes as they head South and lots of RV's & especially boats.
The air compressor only method, works year after year, then one
winter folks return to split pipes and cracked engine blocks or
cracked exhaust manifolds. Air just seems to blow past the trapped
water sometimes. This problem can be a nightmare.
So for my safety margin, and comfort, I will just add a little more
time and $10/$15 bucks of Pink Stuff. And atleast have peace of mind.
This method works for me, just as yours does for you.

Bill 88 FC Michigan





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ralph" wrote:
>
> Hello everyone:
>
> Bob's post hit the nail on the head on this subject.
>
> From the 80's Coaches on, a good system was built into the Bird's
for
> winterizing, and it works!
>
> Open the low water drain valve, open the out side spigot valve
> usually found in the LP compartment.
>
> Then switch the water heater drain/fill switch to drain and switch
on
> the air blow out to supply air to the water heater/water lines/
pump
> and so forth. Leave the air on until only air comes from the out
side
> spigot and shut the air switch to the off position. This will
leave
> some water in the filter/ice maker/and perhaps the acumulater.
This
> risidual water can be drained manually as per the manual in the
blue
> box. After that, switch the air drain switch to on one more time
to
> get any collected water from the pipes, and switch the air drain
> switch off. Pour 1 quart of pink stuff in the P trap in the sinks
and
> shower and add some tot he holding tanks which should have been
> drained first. Keep the pink stuff out of the water heater and you
> really dont want it in your water filter either.
>
> Your done. Now then here is a fact on Birds. After blowing out the
> water heater, there will be 2 quarts of water that remains in it.
> This cannot be drained because the water level is below the drain
of
> the water heater. Even though this small amount of water is left
in
> the water heater, when it freezes there is expansion room in the
> tank, so no worries there.
>
> All this is in your manuals.
>
> Ralph Fullenwider
> RV Solutions in Oklahoma
>