Gadget for forcing water out of pipes to prevent water damage

[Otter Spotter]

I seem to recall a company producing a piece of kit to clear all water pipes for winter to prevent frost damage does anyone know who they are or what it is called?
I have managed to loose 2 taps and split a pipe in the 5 years I have had my van

 

[Brains]

Electrical tyre inflater and a bit of rubber hose and a couple of jubilee clips should do it !

 

[scotjimland]

I use a hand operated air pump I have for blowing up the air awning and inflatable canoe . . . ..

but do it gently, dont want to blow a joint ..just hold the inflater nozzle by hand over the tap spout and listen as it blows out the water at the drain point ..

 

[Figaro]

I get me laughing tackle around the tap and blow as hard as I can
Works for me

 

[paddymcc]

I seem to recall a company producing a piece of kit to clear all water pipes for winter to prevent frost damage does anyone know who they are or what it is called?
I have managed to loose 2 taps and split a pipe in the 5 years I have had my van

I think the one you are referring to is called Floe. I think you have to connect a T piece beyond the pump which can be difficult in tight spaces so the other options mentioned above are simpler alternatives. I just open the taps and blow down them. I hear gurgling but don't really know if it does anything... No leaks in 12 years however.

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[Stoosal]

I take shower head off and blow down pipe(!) or use air line/compressor at very low pressure, leave all taps open etc.

 

[MisterB]

when we had a static i was able to disconnect the shower taps completely, as for some reason they always held a bit of water and it used to dislodge the rubber o ring seals, i just let gravity take care of the rest.
On a motorhome though things a different, you often find pipes fixed in such a way that that water can get trapped, the only real way then is to use air to force the water out, going from one tap to another, and not opening them all up at the same time.
Air can be forced in using a bicycle pump if you havent got a tryre inflator etc its a lot gentler, but harder work. one of the pumps used to inflate air awnings would work really well, you just need to sort out some sort of adapter.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Mine drops out by gravity if I also open the water heater drain and all taps, I can hear it sucking air in through the taps as it drops

 

[Wombles]

Floe drain down kit but never used one yet

 

[Gellyneck]

Floe drain down kit but never used one yet

https://shop.caravanclub.co.uk/product/1999022/flo-caravan-camper-drainage-kit

When we had the caravan I made up our own for a couple of pounds.

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[L' Hobo]

Drain everything down at home, not on the road where the freezing water could cause an accident, then a quick blow down all the taps and shower with a bit of hose connected or a piece of small insulation pipe to fit the drain plugs, then leave all the mixer taps open in central position and go for a long drive.
Works for me after making sure the pump is empty and protected.

 

[Growly bear]

I get me laughing tackle around the tap and blow as hard as I can
Works for me

That's exactly what I do!

 

[Pausim]

I fitted a Floe kit to my Hymer and got a lot of water out after doing the usual blow and suck tricks. Didn’t fit it to my Carthago but last winter damaged a tap on my Malibu Van so dug it out and fitted it this summer ready for the winter drain down. Easy to fit and easy to use.

 

[pappajohn]

https://shop.caravanclub.co.uk/product/1999022/flo-caravan-camper-drainage-kit

When we had the caravan I made up our own for a couple of pounds.

What a waste of 60 quid.

 

[pappajohn]

Drain everything down at home, not on the road where the freezing water could cause an accident, then a quick blow down all the taps and shower with a bit of hose connected or a piece of small insulation pipe to fit the drain plugs, then leave all the mixer taps open in central position and go for a long drive.
Works for me after making sure the pump is empty and protected.

If the expelled water is going to freeze that quick its too later to drain down.

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[Pausim]

What a waste of 60 quid.

Cheaper and easier to fit than a tap.

 

[MisterB]

What a waste of 60 quid.

That's a bit harsh .... I'm sure we've all spent money for a simple solution but based on charging themselves for labour, then perhaps it isn't that expensive .... Not everyone has time on their hands to design, source components, construct, buy and install, sometimes it might be more cost effective for that individual just to buy and install...

 

[lorger]

I do as others have mentioned, drain down and blow out. I also cover my taps in insulation foam that I’ve cut to size, then wrap a towel around them, I got caught out with my first van so 10 minutes prepping saves time in the end.

 

[L' Hobo]

If the expelled water is going to freeze that quick its too later to drain down.

I was thinking more about water laying on a hard surface and a overnight frost but thankyou for your helpful post.

 

[TinaLes]

I agree with the blow down the tap method after opening all the drain valves, and removing the shower head especially if you have a trigger or stop valve on the head.
Its always a concern if you use you van over the cold dark months as we did when we went on Fun Rallies over New Year etc, as you drive the long distance in many cases home, park up very tired and go to bed in the house leaving the van loaded with heating/hot water off overnight without draining down. I got caught out one night when it was minus 4plus after arriving home as the shower valve froze and pushed the cartridge forward so it leaked when I went to use the van on the next outing.
The last time we arrived home late in the winter, I went in the house turned up the heating, then went back and slept in the nice warm van on the drive, then unloaded and drained down the next day.
PS; The mrs didnt though, she came out to the van in the morning, whilst I was sat drinking my freshly brewed coffee and eating my 2 boiled eggs and toast watching the news.
Les

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[Otter Spotter]

Cheaper and easier to fit than a tap.

Agreed, it’s cost me over £200 for replacement taps not including labour.

 

[whisky walker]

I seem to recall a company producing a piece of kit to clear all water pipes for winter to prevent frost damage does anyone know who they are or what it is called?
I have managed to loose 2 taps and split a pipe in the 5 years I have had my van

I connected a T piece into the out let of the pump and glued a bike tyre valve in to the connector. I then pump up to approx 10psi with the tyre compressor then open individual taps one at a time. Keep doing this until no water comes out. Takes about 10 mins because I leave the T piece in situ.

Cheers

 

[berni109]

DIY Compressed air drain down kit - guide

Hi All, I recently made this compressed air adapter to help with draining down the water system. The parts are readily available on eBay (plus one bush from toolstation) for about £35 in total. Links below. You could probably omit the stop valve, but my schrader valve leaks a bit for some...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Discussed many times before.

 

[xsparks]

Techno made a home made version which is in resources.

 

[stevewagner]

I just open boiler drain and the cold water drain. Switch on the pump and open the taps until the flow stops, including the toilet, then leave all the tap open. No blowing or sucking and never had an issue.

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[monzer]

Sure I read on here a while back about using a balloon.

Inflate it. Quickly stretch it over the end of the shower head and squeeze.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Thanks guys, my water system is unpressurised so water can sit in the joints etc, and in the hot water heater so I have blown down the taps in the past but obviously it’s not worked, I do have a tyre pressure pump so I will get a piece of pipe affixed to the pump and give the taps a blow when needed.

 

[whisky walker]

I just open boiler drain and the cold water drain. Switch on the pump and open the taps until the flow stops, including the toilet, then leave all the tap open. No blowing or sucking and never had an issue.

That's what I always did, but last year the water dropplets left in the pump froze and the pump would not turn. I did manage to remove the pump and thaw it out but was lucky. I now actually remove the pump takes two mins to pop the quick disconnects

 

[xsparks]

 

[dalspa]

I always remove the submersible pump from the tank so that when I blow back via a tap the water can freely drain (non return valve would otherwise prevent that). I leave the taps open.

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