Winterizing a Summer Mobile Home

[sdshaw2]

Hi everyone,

We have a seasonal mobile home that needs to be winterized every winter. We have no underbelly or heat tape to keep it from freezing. Does anyone have any tips or resources to help us with this? I have a compressor the attachments to hook it up to the main water line going into the trailer. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

From what I understand, I empty the water heater first. Then close that, and proceed to open each faucet one at a time. Any other details I need to know? I know to finish it with antifreeze in the end.

Thanks!

[Greg]

You are about right. First, turn the water heater off. Then turn off the main shutoff & open all the faucets to relieve the pressure, you may want to unhook the line to the home from it to attach the air compressor. Drain the heater tank. flush the toilets. Then put the air to it with everything open at first, then close them and open one at a time until all traces of water are gone.

Pour some RV antifreeze in the drains and in the toilets and you should be set. Greg

[sdshaw2]

Thank you, Greg!

[dinotoad]

I have a summer home also. Greg's advice looks good. One thing I would do is to blow out all of the other faucets and then do the toilets last. The reason is that once the toilet is flushed, it is not easy to close the valve to flush out other faucets.

I also have an extra valve at my water supply that lets me blow out the line all the way back to the meter.

I keep a list of things to do. Here is my Winterizing list is case it helps anyone:

Instructions for winterizing mobile home

Supplies:
RV antifreeze
Plunger - Baster - Ladle
Air compressor
Blowout plug
Handle for valves in front
Pliers
Shop Vacuum
Water to wash hands with – Alcohol gel

Turn off gas to water heater.
Turn off gas to heater
Turn off master gas
Unplug heat tape
Turn off master water valve near street (do not open drain valve yet)
Drain water heater.
Open drains below house – let drain
Hook up air compressor and set to 50 lbs
Connect air and turn on
Blow air though each line
Open one faucet
Open each water valve, one at a time
Shower
Bath tub
front bedroom sink
Back bathroom sink
Kitchen sink
Outdoor faucet
Repeat above till all are done
Open all faucets and run air for 5 minutes
Close all faucets
Flush toilets until tanks are empty.(2, one at a time)
Let air come through toilet valve (shut if needed)
Open Drain near street
Blow air to valve near street for 5 minutes
Remove air compressor
Cover valve near street
Remove as much water from toilet bowl as possible:
Plunge
Cup or baste
Vacuum with shop vac
Fill toilet bowl with RV antifreeze
Pour RV antifreeze in
Front bedroom sink
Shower
Bathtub
Back bathroom sink
Kitchen sink
Blow out washing machine
Blow out hoses
Remove any cleaning products that may freeze
Unplug electrical devices
Insert storm windows

[Greg]

Good point about the toilet valve, Never gave that a thought. Greg