De-Winterizing RV Hot Water Heater (Tips and Helpful Guide)
When the time comes to use your RV after a long winter, it is hoped that you would remember the winterization process. All you have to do when you want to use your RV after a long break is to reverse those steps. Some owners do not remember.
If you do not remember, the first step is to flush out all of the anti-freeze you put in the water lines last fall. Just make sure the bypass valve is engaged so you do not use more water than you should. Then run the water out the furthest cold water valve until it is a clear color.
To learn more about this process, just continue to read our article., It has the information you want to know about so you can do this task easily and quickly. It shouldn’t take that long to read the article and the task should go even quicker.
How do I Dewinterize My RV Water Heater?
The first step is to connect your RV to the water pump or city water source. Make sure to have a good connection. Then turn the furthest cold water valve to open and turn on the water source.
Let the water run till it is clear.
Step two will be to do the same with the hot water valve. You may be able to combine these steps if you have a bypass system on your water heater. Again, let the water flow till it is a clear color.
Step three is to shut the main water source off and move to your water heater. Close the bypass valve if you have one.
Step four will be for you to open the cold and hot water valves and start filling your water heater tank. Open the pressure relief valve to make sure you have pressurized the system.
Step five is once you have done those four steps, you can turn your water heater on. Before you do this though, make sure your water heater tank is full of water.
You will want to test it before you go on your vacation.
Tips For de-Winterizing RV Water Heater
#1. If you removed the water heater plug for the winter, re-wrap it with Teflon tape before inserting it in again.
#2. Clean your water pump and you do this by opening those low point valves and letting the anti-freeze drain out. Flush the system well and turn on your water pump to do this. Before you turn it on making sure to be connected to a water source.
#3. Do not forget to flush your faucets, toilet, and outdoor shower when you de-winterize. If you have a washer, then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to get it ready for spring washing duties.
#4. Do not forget to close the bypass valve if you have one. You do not want water going by the water heater. Also, do not forget to open the hot and cold water valves next to your heater. You will want to fill the tank soon.
#5. Don’t overthink this process. It is a very simple one and does not take a lot of time to get the anti-freeze flushed out of your plumbing system
What Happens If I Get Antifreeze in My RV Water Heater?
Nothing serious will happen if this scenario happens to you. Anti-freeze is not a harsh chemical or a corrosive one so it is perfectly safe for some anti-freeze to be inside your water heater.
The problem comes in if you do not remove the anti-freeze before you start cooking or washing dishes etc. RV anti-freeze is like any other anti-freeze in that you should not drink it.
If some does get into your water heater’s tank do not panic. Just take the extra time needed to flush it out and make sure the tank is clean before adding more water to it.
To flush it out, make sure to open the drain plug and use a hose or wand to clean out the inside of the tank. If your RV is newer, you may have a tankless water heater built in so you may not have to worry about this problem.
Just flush the faucets in your bathroom and kitchen and you should be fine. If you have a bypass valve system, then do not open the cold or hot water valves until you have flushed out the pipes.
How do You Sanitize a Camper Water System After De-Winterizing?
There are different products you can use. Some RV owners use diluted bleach to kill the germs in their plumbing and tanks. Other RV owners will use vinegar and baking soda in separate steps.
The way to use these different products is to fill your freshwater tank with the correct ratio of bleach or vinegar or other chemicals, and run the mixture through your plumbing system.
This will include your water heater tank as that tank can grow bacteria and mold as well. Make sure the mixture stays in your system overnight to get the best results.
The next morning you should drain your plumbing system and then flush it out so that nothing poisonous remains. When your fresh water tank is full, you will want to open up all faucets, both hot and cold, to let that mixture run through your system.
When it comes to the water heater, just do not use chlorine.
Some Final Words
The best times to sanitize your water system will be after it has been sitting for months. Also, if your water heater tank has had standing water in it for a while, you should consider sanitizing it as well.
Sanitizing is important as you never know when germs and bacteria are growing inside your plumbing or water heater. This is not a hard task either. It just takes a little time to get done properly.
You will have peace of mind afterward which is always a good reward.
