Draining down water system

[BikerGraham]

The weather forecast for today is that it will drop down to about 2 degrees tonight.

As the van is in storage, but getting used next weekend, Is this when you all drain the system down or is it ok until below 0.

 

[KUSKUS]

Should be fine, wont freeze in the van unless temperature drops below freezing , not going to drain mine down yet.

 

[nicholsong]

The weather forecast for today is that it will drop down to about 2 degrees tonight.

As the van is in storage, but getting used next weekend, Is this when you all drain the system down or is it ok until below 0.

Depends on your system. At 2C temp it does not need draining, but if you have a Truma boiler the dump valve will dump the contents(unless you have the duty peg holding it open) and once in our MH that siphoned out the water from the fresh water tank as well.

The biggest danger to water freezing is not in the tanks, where freezing water has room to expand, but in the pump, pipes and taps, where expansion into ice can cause damage and leaks.

Another caveat is if the general temp in the area is 2C it could be lower in valleys and hollows, or on higher hills. So depends where you are stored.

If I am anywhere near an airport I track their weather forecasts (TAF) which are specific to their location and altitude. Just Google airport name and TAF. It gives next 12 hour forecast and any changes expected and for what hours within the 12 hours.

 

[Vanman]

Perhaps slightly extravagent these days, but you could leave the boiler/heating on very low for a week to stop any risk of it dumping the water.

 

[BikerGraham]

Perhaps slightly extravagent these days, but you could leave the boiler/heating on very low for a week to stop any risk of it dumping the water.

That’s an idea. Set the heating for say 6 degrees in the van.

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[Landy Andy]

I don‘t drain mine until it is zero for a good few days. Although I do always leave the taps open. A light frost overnight isn’t going to make the inside of my van cold enough for frost damage.

 

[Figaro]

Agreed, to freeze the pipes it needs a good few days and nights of sub zero temperatures.
But as already said it may dump the water in the boiler. This doesn't usually empty the fresh water tank, certainly not on mine anyway.
I'd leave it and just reset the dump valve if it's opened

 

[BikerGraham]

thanks for the advice and guidance everyone.

Its only predicted to drop down to 2°C tonight then the next week or so remain over 5°C. Sounds like I'm worrying over nothing.

appreciate the reassurances.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

If you leave your heating on at 6 degrees will this protect all the pipe work or should you still drain down?

 

[Figaro]

If you leave your heating on at 6 degrees will this protect all the pipe work or should you still drain down?

In a server cold snap I'd yes, you'd still run the risk of something freezing up.
I've never seen to be point of leaving the heating on when not used. Just ventilate well and do the drain down procedure.

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