Winterizing RV Water Lines With an Air Compressor
To keep our pipes from freezing, we winterize the water lines in our RV using compressed air. We’ll still need a couple of gallons of RV anti-freeze, specifically designed for potable water systems.
We usually snowbird for the winter, but this year we’ll be storing our RV for a couple of months in a cold climate while we’re traveling by air. The last thing we want to come home to is burst pipes.
Check out more details about winterizing an RV with an air compressor in our post:
https://www.thervgeeks.com/winterize-rv-with-air-compressor/
FEATURED & RELATED PRODUCTS AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:
Viair 400P-RV Automatic Compressor: http://amzn.to/2FEUFY0
Blow Out Plug: http://amzn.to/2nE2Yfq
Adjustable Air Pressure Regulator: http://amzn.to/2nJpqUH
Male Quick Connect: http://amzn.to/2EDUqxo
Female Quick Connect: http://amzn.to/2E0nzBP
Water Pressure Regulator: http://amzn.to/2EGe9wt
Water Pressure Regulator With Gauge: http://amzn.to/2FHJHkM
Tank flush wand: http://amzn.to/2BSlRAx
Suburban anode rod: http://amzn.to/2BSuZos
Flow-Pur #3 Filter (threaded): http://amzn.to/2EBusdK
Flow-Pur #2 Filters (clip-on): http://amzn.to/2E0Q6H5
Whole house water filters: http://amzn.to/2BT4Dmi
1/2″ Apex Neverkink Water Hose: http://amzn.to/2DYGIUG
Brass Y-valve: http://amzn.to/2DUMk1Z
RECENT & RELATED VIDEOS:
Dump & Clean an RV Black Tank: http://youtu.be/I6sv4d3PsTo
RV Holding Tank Dumping 1-2-3: http://youtu.be/gZFyfsy4ptw
Flush & Clean Atwood Water Heater: http://youtu.be/IKg0R9oiMP0
Flush & Clean Suburban Water Heater: http://youtu.be/QjEPy21nIrQ
RV Water Heater Anode Rods: http://youtu.be/tcxHIFKLVbc
On 12/14/2014, one lucky RVgeeks viewer won a Viair Automatic Portable Air Compressor kit in our RVgeeks Giveaway:
http://thervgeeks.com/winter-rving/winterizing-rv-water-lines/
Special thanks to our friends Bill & Mark for sharing their RV winterizing know-how.
The piano music is my own performance of Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag from 1899.
Background music: “Cool Ride” from Audionutix.com
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You can buy the same great Viair 400P-RV air compressor we use on Amazon. If you think we're the only ones who love it, check out all the 5-star reviews! http://amzn.to/2Bbj2xv
Is this an RV or a freeking house?! Dishwasher, Washer/dryer…. 😆
That rig makes my RV look like I'm tent camping. 😆
How do you set the regulator? I see that you’re twisting the black cap but the dial doesn’t move
Excellent!!
You showed that you can use a water pressure regulator but didn’t use it, you showed using an air pressure regulator though. Is it an “either/or” situation? Thanks
Hey is it normal to have air pressure inside the water heater while your blowing the lines (at 25psi) i unscrew the water heater plug and it seem that it had lots of pressure. Is that normal?
Thank you, thank you for your outstanding videos. They give me the knowledge to take care of my motor home myself (Yayyyyy!) & be prepared on the road. I ordered several items from your Amazon list for winterizing.
Your piano-playing during the video is quite impressive….coming from the daughter of a retired Army bandsman musician.
Outstanding job!
Where did you buy the regulator at? Couldn’t find it on amazon thanks
Lots of videos talking about the VIAIR Winterizing Kit without actually demonstrating its use. This is a very thorough step-by-step that anyone should be able to follow and feel confident they've done it right. Good job.
RV winterizing
using compressed air
Hi, I order the Viair winterizing kit but it does not fit the 400P compressor. I emailed Viair and they said that I need the 400P-RV or RVS models and it does not fit the 400P. They said that my version does not have a pressure switch. I took the hose off the air gun but cannot find anything to fit the air gun, the male connector is too big to fit. Any ideas? Kevin
Thanks for this video, it's my first winter and wanting to do this myself. Your the only one who mentioned the washer and dryer plumbing and I didn't even think of that since I do not have them installed. Thanks for all your helpful videos.
since you are using the Viair, does it have the burst of air that a compressor tank has? Do you think the regulator is absolutely necessary?
What do I do if I do not have a bypass valve? do I close valve on hot water tank and just blow air through the tank?
Mmmm… good information but I am 5 years late to win!
I thought I'd ask, since I didn't see it on your list of choices as an affiliate, if you use a quality ceramic type heater through the winter months, as I know January can still be cool in the south climates. If so, what is the watts and amperage used? Thanks! I see there are smaller 200 watt units for those wanting to keep their Class A basement somewhat warm as well, again, unsure if you use those either. Thanks!
Double checking your video guys, as it's that time once again here in BC. Thanks for the thorough advice, as it's sometimes easy to miss the simple things. I'm often confused where it comes to the ice-maker in the residential fridge, as apparently there is a solenoid. I'm assuming you don't run RV anti-freeze through your ice-maker? We did last year, and had to run through several sessions of ice making (pink slushy mess) to get the anti-freeze through the system, where eventually clear ice was available again. Appreciate your video's, and the editing process, pointing to the Amazon links!
Drain the sediment bowl on water pump I forgot that last year
It seems to me that it is so much simpler and fool proof to just run antifreeze throughout the system.
Another great and helpful video! Thank you, much appreciated!
Hey guys — I've got a couple of questions:
1) You said not to use any air compressor with a tank because of oil. I have a Porter-Cable "pancake" air compressor with a 3.5 gallon tank. It is an "oil-free" air compressor. Would this be OK to use even though it has a tank, but is oil-free?
2) I also have a VIAIR 450P-RV air compressor, similar to your 400P. I think the difference is that it does continuous service, doesn't have to cool down. It has a lower cfm air flow than your 400P. I don't have an adjustable pressure regulator with a gauge like in your video. I just have your standard Camco 45-50 PSI water pressure regulator. Would just this basic pressure regulator be OK to use?
Thanks!
I notice that in the beginning you attached a water pressure regulator to the blow out plug but then in all the other pictures and videos through the rest of the story you had just the blow out plug inserted in to the air pressure regular and then screwed into the water inlet on the RV. What happened to the water pressure regulator that you showed at the beginning? What part does it play here?
I bought the parts for the regulator. It seems the male fitting is a pipe thread but the threads on the regulator is a type of seal fit. Like for a paint gun. Am I missing something?
After draining the water lines, and hot water heater by gravity, I use a manual hand pump to blow the lines clear, entering by the city water connection. When the lines are clear, I use the same pump to put RV anti freeze in the pipes. Never had a problem in the last 10 years (Temps can go to -30'C).
I'm a bit confused. I watch another video and they used a handpump and pump through antifreeze into the pipes. Is there more than 1 way to winterize such as recommended on this video? Please help anyone. I am attempting to winterize a trailer home.
Trying to find the list of all the parts that can be purchased thru Amazon
The male quick connector seems to have a hard time getting tight. Once on there’s a lot of “wiggle”. Is that how it’s supposed to be or should I tighten it up more?
Thank you for the video you upload its very useful and knowledgeable.
it is december 2017 past time to delete the give away part of this video.
Your videos are so easy to follow. Thanks for all your work for us wanna bes and newbies.
I live in Southern California so I am naive when it comes to winterizing something. What conditions warrant winterizing? We never get more than a little frost on the grass in the winter.