Winterizing Water System

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seeray96

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I didn't see much about this in the Winterizing forum.
I wonder how many of the group are comfortable with using only air pressure to remove water from the lines to sinks, heads, showers, etc. I've pumped the "pink" throughout the system previously, but now only use air at approx 50 psi. In addition, I flush the "pink" from toilets to holding tank, through the 24vdc and 120vac pumps, and through each drain.
The boat is stored inside (no heat), and it can be a bit chilly during a Western NY winter.
Any comments?
 
I've used air for many year and have no troubles. Just make sure you blow it out long enough to get all of the water out.
 
I've seen air work with many boat, I've also seen it fail. I've seen it work and fail on the same boat, same guy doing it, the difference was the first year it was in the water the next year it was out. Just the change in the level must have made the difference, most yards block the boat bow high.
I run the pink after by passing the water heater and draining it, also drain the fresh water tanks.
 
I have for ever pumped out the water tank and let the pump pump air for about five minutes. Then I hook the air compressor, but only at 40 psi, to the shore water inlet. Next I go around and open each valve, faucet or spigot until I get solid air out. Then I do it a second time.

Then drain the water heater with the air pressure swtill on since it goes faster.

Don't forget the washing machine which has its own instructions and the icemaker.
 
I perfer using pink antifreeze after getting as much water out of the lines as possible. After putting a gallon of pink in the water tank and getting that flushed thru, it comes out the faucets pretty diluted. I add another gallon of pink to the tank and flush that thru. Then repeat the process once more. The first gallon of the dilute pink I discard. I capture and reuse the 2nd and 3rd gallon when doing the waste system and the engine. The 3rd gallon is essentially as good when it comes out as it went in. I don't worry about having a water line burst over winter since the lines are probably good for at least -35*. The 10-15 minutes and the $2.99 is worth it to me. Replacing water lines in my boat would be a royal pain in a$$. Come spring I just have to add water to the tank and flush what little pink is in the system.
 
Here's an experiment you could try. Pump your water tank completely dry. Use your best technique to blow all the lines out with air pressure. Then put some antifreeze into the water tank and pump it to a couple of faucets. If it comes out full strength there was no water left in your system. If it comes out of any faucet diluted to any extent then you still had water in your lines that could have frozen.

Mike
 
I play it safe and pump the pink stuff through the system. I'm afraid some water may collect in a low point in the plumbing after blowing it out with air. Not only do I bypass the water heater, but after pumping the fresh water tank dry, I disconnect it from the plumbing and connect the jug of antifreeze directly to the freshwater pump. What little water may be left in the tank will not hurt anything if it freezes, and I don't have to worry about flushing the tank in the spring.

Here's another issue: A friend recently had a problem with a check valve in a shower sump. When we dismantled it, we discovered the rubber check valve had swollen, and would stick open. I suspect the problem may have been caused by alcohol based antifreeze. After all, if ethanol in gasoline is harmful to rubber fuel lines, I guess it's not much good for rubber plumbing parts and impellers. So I'll be sure to use non-alcohol based antifreeze from now on. It's about a dollar a gallon more expensive.
 
Would never put pink in anything that was fresh water. If you feel you need to add antifreeze use some cheap vodka instead.
 
quote:
Originally posted by bobalong

Would never put pink in anything that was fresh water. If you feel you need to add antifreeze use some cheap vodka instead.

Click to expand...

It doesn't matter what color the antifreeze is, what's important is that it's nontoxic and safe for potable water systems.

Using vodka for antifreeze is one of the "stupid boating tricks" perpetuated by web forums.

To answer the OP's question, when I lived in MD (and had a trailered boat) I used air pressure to get the water out of the potable water lines. I drained the water heater and potable water tank and pumped the holding tank. I used a turkey baster toi empty the shower sump.

I flushed non toxic antifreeze through the head and put some in the shower sump and bilge to protect the bilge pump.
 
Been using air 5 years now. It just makes sense. Where it doesn't work is usually if you forget a line
Case in point. I forgot to blow out the filter I had before the city water hookup. I had disconnected it and water sitting in it froze.
As my boat is new, pink has never been in it at all and my ice tastes good. Taste ice from a pinked boat and you will see the difference.
 
Scuuuuse me for perpetuating a "stupid boat trick" but I used vodka rather that the pink crap for years (from around 1995 till 2008) before switching to the blow out system. You'll use a 100 gallons of fresh water trying to rid your water tank of pink whereas one good flush and you'll never know the vodka was there. Vodka was used long before the pink stuff was invented. Now if you live waaaaay up north where temps dip below zero regularly, I might re think vodka, but here in the midwest, and especially if your boat stays in the water year round, vodka is the way to go. Stupid boat tricks my ass.
 
quote:
Originally posted by bobalong

Scuuuuse me for perpetuating a "stupid boat trick" but I used vodka rather that the pink crap for years (from around 1995 till 2008) before switching to the blow out system. You'll use a 100 gallons of fresh water trying to rid your water tank of pink whereas one good flush and you'll never know the vodka was there. Vodka was used long before the pink stuff was invented. Now if you live waaaaay up north where temps dip below zero regularly, I might re think vodka, but here in the midwest, and especially if your boat stays in the water year round, vodka is the way to go. Stupid boat tricks my ass.

Click to expand...

There's no need to to put antifreeze of any kind in the tank. Just drain it. If any remaining water freezes, it won't hurt anything.
 
One of the reasons I feel more comfortable pumping anti freeze into the lines is to expell all traces of water, and I believe the antifreeze will avoid any mold or other ugly stuff forming on the ID of the lines and contaminating the water in the spring. It seems that any moisture on the Id of the hose could form mold in the presence of air. Just my opinion. It's not that expensive to add antifreeze.
 
I do both. First I blow it all out at 50 PSI, then I use the pink. It's overkill, but the pink is cheap enough for the amount I use and I don't drink the water that comes out of the faucets or make ice with it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

Been using air 5 years now. It just makes sense. Where it doesn't work is usually if you forget a line
Case in point. I forgot to blow out the filter I had before the city water hookup. I had disconnected it and water sitting in it froze.
As my boat is new, pink has never been in it at all and my ice tastes good. Taste ice from a pinked boat and you will see the difference.

Click to expand...


Why would you put pink through an ice maker? You by pass it and blow out the line. Same thing you do for the hot water heater, by pass and drain.

I use 5 gls pink for my water system. It's too easy, no need to bring up a compressor. I have been doing this for 15 years.
 
I have been using the pink antifreeze for many years and routinely drink the water from our system. Maybe I have no taste or my system results in less antifreeeze residue. Here's what I do:

1) Pump out as much water out of the system as possible
2) Bypass the water heater and water filter
3) Put only enough antifreeze in the system to get a solid pink stream out of each faucet
4) In the spring pump fresh water through the system until all the pink is gone
5) Do another flush with diluted vinegar (which I leave stand in the lines overnight)
6) One more flush then fill and use the tank

Mike
 
I drain the water tank, and the water heater.
Before blowing the lines with compressed air, I baypass the water heater, and remove the aerators. I then disconnect the hose from the water tank to the pump, and connect my air compressor to that hose. Turn on the water pump, and blow air through the system at about 40psi. Then it is a matter of turning on faucets one at a time, until all blow only air.
I only have faucets, no ice makers, etc. I have never used antifreeze in the fresh water system, and have had no issues. Incidently, I use this same method to blow out a water pipe that brings water from my house out to a hose bib in my backyard.

eric
 
Disconnect line near the pump and hook up shop vac. Open & close faucets one at a time while doing other things. Clean pump filter screen. Reconnect line.
 
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