If you love cold-weather camping, you need a simple game plan to winterize rv systems before overnight temps dip below freezing. A little prep protects your pipes and keeps winter trips stress-free.
Why You Should winterize rv Before the First Freeze
When water freezes, it expands and can crack fittings, valves, and water heaters. One RV insurance guide estimates that failing to winterize can lead to $3,000 or more in repairs from burst pipes and water damage. If you don’t winterize rv plumbing, even one hard freeze can get expensive.
Step 1: Drain and Bypass Your Water Heater
Turn off power or gas to the water heater and let it cool. Open the drain plug, relieve pressure, and bypass the heater so you’re not pumping RV antifreeze into the tank. If cold weather has already damaged your heater, Beis Plumbing’s water heater repair services can get your hot water back safely.
Step 2: Purge and Protect Your Freshwater System
To truly winterize rv plumbing:
- Drain the fresh tank, low-point lines, and water pump
- Blow out lines with compressed air using an RV-safe adapter
- Pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet until it runs pink
The U.S. Department of Energy notes that exposed pipes are especially vulnerable to freezing and should be insulated in unheated spaces. That applies to under-body RV lines, too.
Step 3: Don’t Forget Drains, Traps, and Tanks
Even after you drain the lines, water can sit in P-traps and holding tanks. To winterize rv completely:
- Dump black and gray tanks, then rinse
- Add a quart of RV antifreeze to each drain and toilet bowl
- Pour a little antifreeze into each tank to protect the valves
If a surprise freeze cracks a supply line, Beis Plumbing’s frozen & burst pipe repair team handles the mess so you don’t have to.
Step 4: Insulate and Heat Vulnerable Lines
The American Red Cross recommends insulating pipes in crawl spaces, attics, and exterior walls to prevent freezing. For RVs, that means:
- Foam sleeves on exposed lines
- Heat tape where safe and recommended by your RV manufacturer
- Skirting or wind blocks around the undercarriage
These same techniques help protect your home’s supply lines, and Beis Plumbing’s water line repair experts can fix hidden leaks if freezing ever gets ahead of you.
Step 5: Plan for Emergencies
Even with the best plan to winterize rv plumbing, things happen—a heater fails or a cold front is harsher than forecast. Keep an emergency kit that includes:
- A small space heater rated for indoor use
- Extra RV antifreeze
- A wet/dry vac and towels
- The number for Beis Plumbing bookmarked on your phone
If a pipe bursts or a fitting lets go, their emergency plumbing services are available to protect your home while you deal with the RV.
Get Help Winterizing from Beis Plumbing
Whether you need advice on how to winterize rv systems or repair damage after a cold snap, Beis Plumbing is your local partner for frozen pipes, water heaters, and more. Contact Beis Plumbing now, and let their licensed plumbers help you winterize rv plumbing the right way—so you can enjoy winter camping without worrying about leaks, bursts, or costly repairs.