HOW TO WINTERIZE
Step 1 Locate the fresh water tank drain valve or plug & drain the water. Skip this step if the fresh water tank wasn’t used.
Step 2 IMPORTANT make sure the electric heater switch is turned off. Locate the water heater drain white plastic plug(Atwood wrench size 15/16 or 7/8) or Anode(Suburban wrench size 1 1/16) and remove it to drain the water heater tank...Open a faucet or flip open the pressure relief valve to allow the water to drain better.
Step 3 Bypass the water heater. The valve (or valves) are located inside your trailer behind the hot water heater. If you don’t have a bypass valve, you may need to install one or see your RV dealer for the proper method to winterize your water system.
Step 4 Locate the water pump, disconnect the inlet fitting, install the winterizing hose and insert the other end into the jug of -50C antifreeze.
Optional – install a winterizing 3-way valve kit.
Caution – if you have a washing machine follow the instruction manual for winterizing. If you have an inline water filter cartridge, remove it before winterizing
Step 5 Turn on the water pump and open the taps, one by one until the antifreeze appears. Do the hot and cold taps at every sink and tub faucet … Don’t forget the toilet, shower and the outside shower if you have one!
Step 6 IMPORTANT! - Make sure to relieve the water system pressure before proceeding! Turn off the water pump and de-pressurize the system by opening a cold water tap. At the city water connection, pry out the screen and washer, and press in on the valve stem until the antifreeze runs out. If it is hard to push, DO NOT FORCE IT! Go back inside and make sure the pump is turned off and a faucet is opened to relieve any pressure. You may have to have someone turn on the pump while pressing the plunger until some antifreeze comes out.
Step 7 Pour about a cupful of antifreeze into every drain to displace the water and protect the trap. Pour a pint or so of antifreeze directly through the toilet and the shower drain to protect the dump valves. That’s it!
REMEMBER- IN THE SPRING TIME- flush your water lines to remove the antifreeze, turn the hot water heater by-pass valve to “summer” position, put the plug or anode back into the hot water heater, fill the hot water tank before turning it on electric or gas. Remove the air conditioner cover. Check the battery fluid levels and recharge. Inspect the roof, check tire pressures, get the bearings repacked, have a propane leak test.