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Old 11-19-2017, 03:53 PM   #1
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Plumbing Winterization Questions

With this being our first RV, this will be our first time winterizing.

I have a few questions about winterizing the plumbing.

I have read about bypassing the water heater in order to prevent wasting 6 gallons of antifreeze.

However, in reading through the water heater owner manual, there is no mention of a bypass valve.

I want to better understand wintering the plumbing.

My external (and only one I can find) access:


Wintering Section from owner manual:


If there is no bypass valve, am I just going to have to waste the 6 gallons of antifreeze that my water heater holds?

After researching a bit, the bypass kit doesn’t appear to be expensive. How difficult is it to install?

Do you fill the plumbing with antifreeze or is it just coating the plumbing?


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Old 11-19-2017, 04:49 PM   #2
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You have a bypass valve on the inside of the rig (opposite side of your picture). Do a search on this forum as there are good pictures available. Once you turn the two valves on the water heater, find your water pump and there will be a suction hose and valve to suck up the anti-freeze. Yes, you will fill the water lines - both hot and cold. Also pour A/F into all drains and toilet. Run outside shower.
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Old 11-19-2017, 04:53 PM   #3
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The by-pass valve is generally behind your heater tank, it is part of the plumbing network, it's purpose is to isolate the heater tank, so the heater's instruction may not even mention it.

Look on this same forum for Water heater bypass valve, it has a good picture of the normal by-pass plumbing.
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Old 11-19-2017, 05:34 PM   #4
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You will to have figure where the back of the heater is inside, under the bed, behind a panel that you'll have to remove, back of a cabinet, & the bypass valves will be on the back side of the heater.
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Old 11-19-2017, 05:37 PM   #5
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Reverse valves for winterizing.
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Old 11-20-2017, 07:24 AM   #6
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Since we don't have the weeks and months of freezing temps, we just drain the water heater and replace the plug, then blow out the lines with air and add some pink to the drains and tanks to winterize.

good luck !
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Old 11-20-2017, 05:31 PM   #7
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Do not forget to take the screen off the city water intake and push on the little white button to let antifreeze exit that spot. Push it in with no pressure and have someone turn on pump in that order or you will dislodge the o ring inside.
Best bet for a newbie is to find a neighbour that has knowledge of winterising to help you.
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Old 11-21-2017, 08:51 AM   #8
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Found the water pump. It’s located under the pantry next to the fridge.

Is this the hose I put in the antifreeze jug?
What does this valve control?




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Old 11-21-2017, 08:59 AM   #9
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Found the back of the water heater. It’s located under the bunk against the back wall.

Is this the bypass valve?



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Old 11-21-2017, 09:29 AM   #10
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Yes and Yes! The siphon hose valve lets the pump either siphon water from the holding tank or from the A/F jug/bucket. Turn the water heater valve 90 dgs so as to "bypass" the water heater when filling water lines with A/F. Don't open valve in the Spring until ALL the A/F fluid has been flushed out of the system.
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Old 11-21-2017, 10:59 AM   #11
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Plumbing Winterization Questions

Do I leave the fresh water drain plug off or put it back when I’m ready to pump antifreeze?
And do I leave the water heater drain plug off or put it back when ready to pump antifreeze?

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Old 11-21-2017, 11:44 AM   #12
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I leave the plug for water heater, out.
The drain cap for the fresh water tank I leave off, and cover the end of the pipe with a cloth, secured it on with a twisty. Purpose is to keep the bugs out of the tank. If they had the drain coming directly out the bottom of tank, I would leave that cap off also. I have inside storage.
If your unit is stored out side, then I would probably screw the water heater plug in loosely, and the drain for the fresh water either covered or the cap back on the same way. Reason being, to prevent bugs and blowing dust from getting in.
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Old 11-21-2017, 12:04 PM   #13
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I guess I over answered your question.
You can leave them both off when pumping anti freeze. It really doesn't make any difference if they are on or off, if, you have the valves all set in the correct position when pumping the pink stuff.
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Old 11-21-2017, 12:31 PM   #14
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Thanks for all the help and info!
Used 2.5 gallons of antifreeze. Probably would have only used 2 gallons, but wasted 0.5 gallons down the shower because I thought I had the hot off, but it was full on and quickly sucked the antifreeze down.

Also, almost forgot to pump some through the city water connection, but remembered as I was waking by to put supplies away. No one warned me not to stand directly in front of it. I got blasted pretty good.


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Old 11-21-2017, 12:54 PM   #15
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Don’t forget to flush the toilet to put antifreeze through there. As far as pouring antifreeze into the drains; when you turn on the faucets and shower the antifreeze will go down the drains. If you have two traps under the kitchen sink just make sure you let antifreeze go in both sides of the sink. And as stated don’t forget the outside shower and the outside low point drains. Open just enough to let antifreeze out to clear any water. Just open faucets and low points until you see the antifreeze start to come out, no need to let it run long. Make sure the fridge is off and leave the doors open so it won’t mold.
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