Winter Water System Management

We camp all winter long. During the colder winter months I take out everything which can be damaged by freezing. One of the key challenges is to ensure the water system does not get damaged by freezing. Here is how I blow the water out of the water lines. This usually takes about 20 minutes.

Basis steps are:
Turn the water pump off
Empty the main water holding tank
Get enough air volume to blow the water out of the lines
Connect air to the water system
Pressurize the water system
Empty of hot water tank
Open the main water system low point
Empty main water lines
Empty faucets
Empty toilet
RV antifreeze into the sinks, shower, and toilet

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You will need some air volume to blow the water out of the lines. Volume is much more important then pressure. As you can see on my compressor I use about 30 psi of pressure.	The connection to get air into the water system is the following fittings. I use a 90 degree fitting to reduce the stress on the water input fitting. An air quick connect hose clamped onto a piece of hose. I didn't have a used hose end so I used a hose end replacement fitting.

Here is the adapter attached to the city water input fitting.	Another pictures showing the air adapter connected to city water.

This is the air line quick connected to the air adapter.	Another picture showing the air line connected.

I have added a brass valve to the hot water tank drain. I blow the water out of our motorhome from 3 to 9 times a year. This valve allows me to add a line to the hot water tank so I can control where the water is empty too.

I started using automotive vaccum line to route the water out of the hot water tank.	I route the water away from the moterhome. The six gallons would create a puddle under the motorhome.

Velco the end this water line to a point to control where the water is sprayed.	One day at Home Depot I found this clear plastic line at a very good price. I bought this longer piece to manage emptying the hot water tank.

This is how I control where the water goes. If you don't attach the tubing to something the water pressure to flip the end of the hose around and spray everything.

I used this milk jug to collect the water coming out of the faucets. This is a key component of the system. Without this jug water (and air) coming out of the faucets end up going everywhere.

	Here is the low point of my water system and the second place (after the water heater) I use to blow the water out.

This is how I keep from spraying water all over everything.	This is how I keep from spraying water all over everything.

This is how I keep from spraying water all over everything.	This is how I keep from spraying water all over everything.

This is how I keep from spraying water all over everything.	This was a huge improvement when doing the shower and shower head.

I usually blow the water out of the toilet and toilet rinse hose last.
The final step will be to put RV antifreeze into each of the drains, kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower drain, and into the toilet bowl.