RV Dewinterizing & Spring Startup Guide
Dewinterizing is the process of thoroughly flushing pink antifreeze out of your water lines, sanitizing the fresh water storage tank, inspecting plumbing joints for freeze damage, and restoring normal water heater operation before your first trip of the season.
Step-by-Step Dewinterizing Procedure
- Connect a food-grade drinking water hose to the city water inlet port.
- Open all interior and exterior hot/cold faucets, shower heads, and toilet valves one by one, flushing until water runs completely clear.
- Close low-point line drains and drain valves once all pink antifreeze is evacuated.
- Sanitize the fresh water storage tank by filling it with a solution of 1/4 cup household bleach per 15 gallons of tank capacity (or use a taste-free RV water tank sanitizer).
- Pump the sanitizing solution through all lines, let sit for 4 hours, then drain and flush with fresh water.
- Reset the water heater bypass valves to normal operation mode, re-insert the drain plug/anode rod, and allow the water heater tank to fill completely before turning on gas or electric power.
- Install fresh filter cartridges in your inline RV water filter canister.
See also: