Draining down for winter.

[rosalan]

Until this year I have always left a greenhouse heater on with a thermostat to prevent it automatically draining my water heater. This year, watching the cost of energy I have drained everything down or have I?
Reading several articles of push-fit connectors opening behind panels, should I put an airline on my shower hose to blow out to prevent any residual water from freezing or am I going over the top?

 

[Abacist]

I drain down what comes out naturally and no more than that. I used to use a heater years ago but was warned that that causes condensation which is far worse. Mine is a german N & B with double floor so fairly well insulated and it’s in a sheltered position and I live in mild Devon.

 

[Figaro]

If you leave the taps in the open position and open the drain valves and see the water drain out, that should be enough.
Plus the fresh tank and boiler of course.
I also read on here to put windscreeen wash fluid in the sink traps to stop them freezing up, I did that too last year but we had no severe frosts

 

[poppycamper]

Once

Until this year I have always left a greenhouse heater on with a thermostat to prevent it automatically draining my water heater. This year, watching the cost of energy I have drained everything down or have I?
Reading several articles of push-fit connectors opening behind panels, should I put an airline on my shower hose to blow out to prevent any residual water from freezing or am I going over the top?

Once Drained down, leave all drain valves open.. make sure pump is off and open all taps/shower to mid position and take van fir a drive.... the motion of van will ensure all pipes are drained..
The bendyer the road , roundabout are good, the better.

 

[pelican]

Once

Once Drained down, leave all drain valves open.. make sure pump is off and open all taps/shower to mid position and take van fir a drive.... the motion of van will ensure all pipes are drained..
The bendyer the road , roundabout are good, the better.

Open shower valve and put shower head on floor

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[varaizian]

If you leave the taps in the open position and open the drain valves and see the water drain out, that should be enough.
Plus the fresh tank and boiler of course.
I also read on here to put windscreeen wash fluid in the sink traps to stop them freezing up, I did that too last year but we had no severe frosts

I've always done that too but it probably ought to be winter screen wash and I'm just wondering what is in my washer reservoir!

 

[Just smiffy]

I’d just blow down the shower hose or mouth over a tap, airline may blow off a joint….

 

[daveandsan]

Until this year I have always left a greenhouse heater on with a thermostat to prevent it automatically draining my water heater. This year, watching the cost of energy I have drained everything down or have I?
Reading several articles of push-fit connectors opening behind panels, should I put an airline on my shower hose to blow out to prevent any residual water from freezing or am I going over the top?

I always use a airline on the shower hose, as long as you leave all your taps open it shouldn’t blow a joint.
I only use a push in connection so it would blow off before it over pressurised the system.

 

[rosalan]

I’d just blow down the shower hose or mouth over a tap, airline may blow off a joint….

I tried this again until I had cheeks like a trumpet layer, then connected an airline. A great deal of water came out of both taps, so there must be water ‘pooling’ in some areas. Anyway, I can easily blow through hot and cold systems without popping my ears now.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Once

Once Drained down, leave all drain valves open.. make sure pump is off and open all taps/shower to mid position and take van fir a drive.... the motion of van will ensure all pipes are drained..
The bendyer the road , roundabout are good, the better.

Same here, if I were ever to !

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[Coop]

I believe that it's better to be safe than sorry, although our van is parked inside a building, it is a wild and lonely place on the hills where temperatures can suddenly drop well below freezing.

As winter approaches I drain all water systems, drive the van for a few miles then let it sit for an hour or so to let everything settle. I remove the filter and disconnect both sides of the pump. I then connect my home-made adapter to the system, pressurise to 15-20PSI with the onboard compressor (for the air assist suspension), open the taps, alternate between hot and cold, the shower, toilet flush and heater drain, not forgetting the external shower point. The first couple of pressurisations cause gurgling in the pipework, even though these were "completely" drained, and a few litres of water to be expelled. I then continue for two or three more just to be safe.

It only takes 10-15 minutes and is worth it for peace of mind.