Don't Let Winter Freeze Your Fun: A Friendly Guide to Blowing Out Camper Water Lines
Alright, so you love your RV, right? The open road, spontaneous adventures, waking up to new scenery – it's the best. But when the temperatures start to dip, and you know the camping season is drawing to a close, there's one super important task that can save you a boatload of headaches and cash: blowing out camper water lines. Trust me, this isn't some super technical, scary procedure. It's actually one of the most common and effective ways to winterize your rig, and once you get the hang of it, you'll be doing it like a pro.
Why Bother? The Frosty Truth
Imagine this: You've tucked your camper away for the winter, dreaming of spring trips. Then, that first warm weekend rolls around, you de-winterize, turn on the water, and whoosh! – a burst pipe floods your precious RV. Nightmare fuel, right? That's exactly what can happen if you leave even a tiny bit of water sitting in your water lines when temperatures drop below freezing. Water expands when it freezes, and those sturdy-looking PEX pipes? They're no match for Mother Nature's icy grip.
Blowing out camper water lines is all about getting every last drop of water out of your freshwater system. It prevents those disastrous freeze-ups, saving you from costly repairs, ruined interior components, and a whole lot of frustration. It's about peace of mind, knowing your investment is safe and sound until next season.
When Is It Time?
Generally speaking, you should be thinking about blowing out camper water lines as soon as nighttime temperatures consistently fall below freezing (32°F or 0°C) in your area. Even if you're planning one last short trip, if there's a cold snap on the horizon for when it'll be parked, it's better to be safe than sorry. Many folks just make it an annual ritual right after their last camping trip of the year. Don't wait until the last minute when the mercury is already plummeting!
What You'll Need: Your Toolbox for Winterization
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's gather your essential gear. You probably have most of this already, or can grab it easily:
- An Air Compressor: This is your main tool. Make sure it's got enough oomph, but more importantly, that you can regulate the pressure.
- An RV Blow-Out Plug: This little adapter is crucial. It screws into your RV's city water inlet and has a quick-connect fitting for your air compressor hose. You can find these at any RV supply store or online for just a few bucks.
- Wrench: Handy for opening low-point drains.
- RV Antifreeze (Optional for lines, but good for drains!): While we're blowing out the lines, you'll still want antifreeze for your P-traps (under sinks, shower) and toilet. Don't use automotive antifreeze – it's toxic! Stick to the pink RV-specific stuff.
- Buckets and Rags: Always good to have for drips and spills.
- A Friend (Highly Recommended!): Having an extra set of hands to open and close faucets while you manage the compressor makes the job much quicker and easier.
The Step-by-Step Breakdown: Blowing Out Camper Water Lines Like a Pro
Okay, let's get down to business. Follow these steps carefully, and you'll have those lines dry in no time.
Step 1: Drain All the Things
First things first, let's get as much water out naturally as possible. This reduces the work your compressor has to do.
- Empty Your Fresh Water Tank: Find the drain valve for your fresh water tank and open it up. Let it gush!
- Open Low-Point Drains: Your RV will have separate low-point drains for the hot and cold water lines. They're usually located underneath the RV. Open both and let them drain until the flow stops.
- Open All Faucets: Go inside and open every single faucet – hot and cold – including the shower, and even the outdoor shower if you have one. Flush the toilet a few times. Let gravity do its initial work.
- Bypass and Drain the Water Heater: This is super important. Locate your water heater, usually accessed from an exterior panel. Inside, you'll see a bypass kit with a few valves. Close the main hot and cold lines leading into the heater, and open the bypass valve to create a loop around it. Then, remove the drain plug from the water heater (it might require a socket wrench). Be careful, there might still be some hot water! Let it completely drain, then put the plug back in, but keep the bypass valves set. We don't want to blow air into an empty water heater, nor do we want to fill it with antifreeze if you choose that method for some parts later.
Step 2: Hooking Up Your Air Compressor
Now it's time for the air.
- Connect the Blow-Out Plug: Screw your RV blow-out plug into your RV's city water inlet. Make sure it's snug.
- Connect the Compressor: Attach your air compressor hose to the blow-out plug.
- Set Your PSI: This is the most critical part! NEVER exceed 50-60 PSI when blowing out camper water lines. In fact, most RV manufacturers recommend staying between 20-40 PSI. High pressure can damage your RV's plumbing system, fittings, and seals. Set your compressor to a nice, gentle 30 PSI to start.
Step 3: The Air Blast!
With the compressor connected and the pressure set, let the air flow.
- Start Farthest Away: Begin with the faucet or fixture that's furthest from your city water connection. This typically ensures a complete flush through the system.
- One Fixture at a Time: Open just one faucet (hot first, then cold) until only air, and no more water, comes out. Let it blow for 15-20 seconds. Close it.
- Work Your Way In: Systematically move through your RV: kitchen sink (hot/cold), bathroom sink (hot/cold), shower (hot/cold), toilet (hold the flush pedal down until air comes out), and finally, the outdoor shower. Remember to do hot and cold for each faucet.
- Don't Forget the Low-Points (Again!): After you've gone through all the faucets, open your low-point drains one more time. You might get a final spurt of water and air. Close them.
- Repeat (Optional, but Recommended): Many seasoned RVers will go through the entire process a second time, just to be absolutely sure. You'd be surprised how much more water can get pushed out on a second pass.
Step 4: Don't Forget the Drains
Even though you've blown out the pressure lines, the P-traps under your sinks and shower still hold water. If these freeze, they can crack.
- Pour Antifreeze: Pour a cup or two of RV antifreeze down each sink drain, the shower drain, and into the toilet bowl (and flush once to get it into the trap). This prevents the water in the traps from freezing and creating costly cracks.
Common Pitfalls and Pro Tips
- Don't Rush: Take your time. It's better to be thorough than to miss a spot.
- Check Your Pressure Gauge: Keep an eye on that compressor gauge. Don't let it creep up too high!
- Listen for Leaks: If you hear air escaping somewhere it shouldn't, you might have an open valve or a loose connection.
- Water Filter: If your RV has an inline water filter, remove it before blowing out the lines. You don't want to damage it or leave water in it.
- Store with Drains Open (Optional): Some people like to leave their low-point drains slightly cracked open for the winter, especially in very humid areas, just in case any condensation builds up.
- Water Pump: If your water pump has a small strainer bowl, it's a good idea to open that up and ensure it's completely dry too.
Reversing the Process: Getting Ready for Spring
When spring finally rolls around, and you're ready to hit the road, de-winterizing is pretty straightforward. Close all your low-point drains and faucets, open the bypass valves on your water heater (and close the bypass valve itself), put your water filter back in, and fill your fresh water tank. Then, run water through all your lines until any pink antifreeze is flushed out and only clear water remains. A good sanitization of your fresh water system with a bleach solution is also highly recommended after this.
Conclusion
See? Blowing out camper water lines isn't so scary after all! It's a simple, effective, and essential part of RV ownership, especially if you live in a colder climate. A little bit of effort now will save you a whole lot of stress and expense later. So grab your compressor, put on some tunes, and get that RV ready for its winter nap. You'll be glad you did when spring arrives and you're hitting the road without a single leaky worry! Happy camping (and happy winterizing)!