Cardinal RV Club

Hi There,

My wife and I are planning our first extended (3-4 months) trip and I'm wondering if I need to drain the water from the pipes in my home. We have a private well and pump (non-chlorinated), and a gas water heater. We won't be away during the Winter months, so I'm not concerned about freezing. But should I worry about bacteria or stagnation in the pipes?

The system is easy to drain, but I don't know if it's best to drain it or just leave the water in it. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Hi Lew

I am on city water but when I go on trips like you are talking about all I do is turn down the a/c or heater so it does not work as much. I have never drained my pipes. I would think that if they are metal pipes and set for that time without water in them that would cause them to rust. I am not a plumber and that is just my opinion.

Don

Hi Lew, I would turn off the water to the house but not drain the pipes. Also, if you have anything that runs on gas to shut the gas off also.

Rob

Thanks for the replies. What you both say makes sense, and I think experience is the best teacher.

I agree with Rob & Cathy Reason is simple if you don't shut off the water and something should happen your basement will fill and the cost would be more than your trip and a section of pipe. Just shut the water off at the main source and leave the rest alone. Also shut down any gas , or fuel supply you may have. leave the hot water tank fill BUT due shut the power supply off. HAve a GREAT TIME CAMPING

If you will not be in the house for 3 or 4 months you may want to put something in the drain traps and commode bowls. The reason is that if the water evaporates the seal that prevents the sewer gas from entering the house is gone. You can use rv anti freeze or since they are drains you could use auto anti freeze, you just need something that will not evaporate. If someone is going to keep an eye on the place just have them to run some water in the sinks when they are there.

I agree about the need to seal the drain traps, however, I'd recommend the "pink stuff". The drains may be going in the sewer but ultimately back into the environment and radiator antifreeze is toxic to animals (read people).

Minnesota really gets cold, so we do turn off the water, keep the heat at 50 degrees, tell the police we will be gone, have a friends check the house when they can. Have not put anything in the drains, but maybe we should. We are gone 3-5 months a year and in 10 years have not had a problem.

don't drain it, that will put air in ur system which will (other than the rust mentioned above) give the bacteria something to live on.
if u block it in, don't block the hot water heater, the relief is nice to have in line in case the system heats up and the pressure rises.
just cover the toilets with a plastic (saran?) wrap to reduce or eliminate evaparation. don't forget abt the washing machine drain. put the pluggs in the sink and lavatories. put something over the shower drain. leaving the a/c on a high temp should allow it to come on every so often and keep water in that trap.
if ur on ur own septic system, i wouldn't fill anything with antifreeze or veg oil. althought veg oil would ultimantly disappear. anti freeze may make ur septic buggs happy for a little while.

the well: draw enough water to reprime it and shut it down but don't drain (then flush it good when u restart it). (experience) i've had pipes break while i am here. it would use lots of electricity if that happened while ur gone. might even burn up ur pump. i've even had the foot valve break off.

after looking at the date of ur post, i hope u enjoyed ur trip and all went well.

WVcampers wrote:If you will not be in the house for 3 or 4 months you may want to put something in the drain traps and commode bowls. The reason is that if the water evaporates the seal that prevents the sewer gas from entering the house is gone. You can use rv anti freeze or since they are drains you could use auto anti freeze, you just need something that will not evaporate. If someone is going to keep an eye on the place just have them to run some water in the sinks when they are there.

If you use auto anti freeze and get caught, stand by for some hefty fines. That would be considered a Toxic Spill. Just don't.

I was a professional plumber for ten years and winterized many houses for the snowbirds in the area. The procedure was to use air to blow out the water lines, drain the water heater, remove all water from the toilets. we also used antifreeze in the drains. The houses were often left without heat, so water could not be left in any lines or drains. The icemakers and washing machine were also cleared of water. The amout of anti freeze required to prevent a drain from freezing or evaporating is small enough that it is not considered a spill. The Reportable Quanity af ethylene glycol (auto antifreeze) is 100 lbs under the RCRA regs. Auto antifreeze is very poisonous if ingested. It has a sweet taste and animals are attracted to it. Just be careful that it is kept in the drains and all will be fine. Propylene Glycol (the pink stuff used in rv water lines) has a RQ that is much higher and is much safer since it is also used in many food products and cosmetics. It is the best choice, but if you do your own auto maintenance you probably have some of the green stuff around the house now.