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Old 01-25-2018, 11:33 AM   #1
KHBama
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Did Not Winterize

Hey guys, I'm one of those people who has never winterized our TT/5th Wheel. I have a gut feeling I'm about to discover an issue, has been a cold cold winter down in Alabama(well by our definition of cold)... Had a nice snow last week. Anywho, bringing her home Saturday to start our prep for Disney in a couple of weeks. Never had any plumbing issues in 4 years(knock on wood). I'm going to hook up fresh water and just run water at the sinks and toilet, Do i just look for leaks down below? I have an enclosed underbelly also. Thanks
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:17 PM   #2
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At the upstate NY house a water bottle was completely frozen inside the fridge , and the electric was off. it was probably down to o at some point.
iwould check it maybe run a heater on coldest nights ? otherwise winterize
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:17 PM   #3
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Snow doesn't mean a problem. In the teens or sustained 20s will make a problem. This was the first year in a long time I winterized in SE NC before going to Florida.


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Old 01-25-2018, 12:19 PM   #4
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About 5 days in a row, we were in low 20s and teens
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:24 PM   #5
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About 5 days in a row, we were in low 20s and teens
Just at night? If so, for how long?

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Old 01-25-2018, 12:28 PM   #6
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The PEX line that is in the RV generally handles freeze / thaw pretty well - however, it's not designed for this and can fail. The connectors, they don't handle it well.

We froze last year. I de-winterized too early. I didn't have a full water heater, thank goodness. The RV had ice coming out of the kitchen faucet. It had blown the aerator. That was my only damage.

I've been much more diligent this year.
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:32 PM   #7
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I work on boats, and the water pump in my trailer is the same that we see often. Seen a lot of them that when they freeze they crack the plastic housing at the pressure switch housing area, basically expands it away from pump housing, and water will run out as soon as you start to run the pump. If your pump is hidden behind a panel I would remove it and at least get a visual on it while running. Lots of times they will spray water not just drip or leak. Good luck.
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:47 PM   #8
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Just at night? If so, for how long?

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Probaby 8pm-9am would be below freezing
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Old 01-25-2018, 12:48 PM   #9
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I work on boats, and the water pump in my trailer is the same that we see often. Seen a lot of them that when they freeze they crack the plastic housing at the pressure switch housing area, basically expands it away from pump housing, and water will run out as soon as you start to run the pump. If your pump is hidden behind a panel I would remove it and at least get a visual on it while running. Lots of times they will spray water not just drip or leak. Good luck.
Thanks for the info, will check it out
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Old 01-25-2018, 01:20 PM   #10
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A few years ago it was 17 at night, warmed to 40. On the 5th day I got scared and opened the low points. Never had an issue.
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Old 01-25-2018, 01:56 PM   #11
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You might be alright....hopefully. I would find the water pump and the majority of the incoming connections, hopefully in the same place and uncover them so you can see them. The same with the back of the water heater if possible then turn on the water. Make sure you don't hear it continuing to run if you have everything turned off. Once pressurized look at every fixture and connection point to check for leaks. As was mentioned, it might be a slight crack the allows a fine spray or drip. Check the pump and turn it on to make sure it operates correctly. Look over the hot water heater front and back to make sure it's OK. At that point you should be pretty sure that you don't have a leak. I don't think the pex is going to fail in a wall or under the floor. You might look at the outside shower to make sure the fixture didn't separate along with the low point/fresh water drains. Then......next time, just take a few minutes to drain and blow it out and put antifreeze in the p traps. Won't take 30 minutes and AL that should be all you need.
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Old 01-27-2018, 05:01 AM   #12
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Pay close attention to the outside shower if you have one and the toilet valve too.
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Old 01-27-2018, 05:36 AM   #13
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All good suggestions as usual. On my water setup I have the outside garden hose connected to a Y connection that has ball valves on each outlet ( use this during initial hook up, both valves closed, open park water valve then open non connected side of Y to bleed out air and any residue from hose). From there it connects to regulator with gauge, then canister water filter and finally to camper I let. The point is, when we leave the camper for any time I shut the water off at the Y connection. When returning I take note of the pressure gauge, any drop in pressure indicates a leak. As for the fw pump only a visual while running will confirm.
Hope this helps and good luck!
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Old 01-27-2018, 06:21 AM   #14
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I was sitting all comfy thinking I had the house ready for an extended cold spell, then realized about dark that I had 2 RV's to do something with. I drained the freshwater tanks, ran the pumps until they were almost dry, and poured some RV antifreeze down the grey and black drains. Fingers crossed.
I'm about over the flu and the weather is clearing up tomorrow, I'll be checking in a day or 2.
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Old 01-27-2018, 08:11 AM   #15
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No serious issues after checking her out. But water was shooting out at the kitchen faucet. Anyone had that issue? Is that a freezing issue? Water was getting there, not a problem before today. Laredo 285sbh is my 5er model
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Old 01-27-2018, 08:56 AM   #16
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Most OEM RV faucets are made by DURO or Phoenix. Most are plastic and easily damaged by freezing. If yours is "shooting water" chances are it froze and the water spray is coming from a crack in the plastic. Only a good visual inspection will tell you for sure, but I'd check the clearance section at Lowe's or HD for a replacement (better quality) faucet if your OEM is damaged.
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Old 01-27-2018, 12:25 PM   #17
Ken / Claudia
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Water should be coming out the faucet. I guess you mean other than the outlet? If so where. Could be a loose nut or fitting. Likely a freeze break where you see water shooting. You could shoot back. Sorry I could not help myself.
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Old 01-27-2018, 12:45 PM   #18
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. You could shoot back.
Definitely self-defense
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Old 01-29-2018, 10:58 AM   #19
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We live in Georgia, which had the same hard freeze as Alabama for several days in a row. Our black and gray tanks were already emptied, and we bled all faucets, including the outside shower, and drained the low point drain. We also put RV antifreeze down all the drains to protect the p-traps, including the shower and in the toilet bowl. Fingers crossed it was enough...
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Old 01-29-2018, 12:53 PM   #20
KHBama
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Our faucet comes in today and I'm hoping for the best once I replace it but I feel like I'm going to have some other issues. For those who know more than me...

When will I know i have another problem? Water shooting from kitchen faucet is pretty easy to spot ... I initially didn't see any leaking from below but the water didn't run that long. I did wrap it pretty tight with a towel and then turned on the bathroom sink and toilet and had good flow there and no shooting water. Just let the water run and run toilet and check below? Check the water heater? Thanks
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