Pipes: Turn off water supply to the house and drain pipes to protect them from freezing. You can empty pipes by running the water and flushing the toilets after the water has been turned off. After draining the pipes, it is a good idea to leave the faucets open to prevent pressure build up from any water that remains.
Then, with both “hot” and “cold” faucets open, close the “cold” side of that faucet. Repeat this procedure for the bathroom sink, the shower, the toilet valve, and the outside shower (if your unit is so equipped). Always leave at least one faucet open, so as not to build up excessive pressure in the water system.
Replace the cap and close the outside faucet. If you don't have a bleeder cap, you can leave your outdoor faucet turned to the 'on' position to prevent a buildup of pressure in the pipes if standing water does freeze.
OPEN during winter storage. Yes, open during Winter storage. Better to have expansion out of open faucet versus rupturing a pipe/valve,joint, etc.
Failing to properly drain and shut off your outdoor hose bibbs can lead to water being left in the supply line, which can freeze, expand, and split your pipes. Winterizing your outdoor faucets will prevent you from having to deal with the frustrations and damage resulting from frozen or burst pipes.
You can empty pipes by running the water and flushing the toilets after the water has been turned off. After draining the pipes, it is a good idea to leave the faucets open to prevent pressure build up from any water that remains. If you have an interior sprinkler system (for fire prevention) don't turn off the water.
Keep outsides valve open so water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing a break. When freezing weather is coming, turn off water to outside spigots and drain all water from the line.
Your RV sewer valve (black water valve) should always be closed no matter what type of camping you are doing because you want to keep liquid in the tank to help break down solid waste and create an odor barrier against sewer gases.
Many RVers like to leave the gray valve open so they can liberally use the shower and run sink water without having to worry about filling up the gray tank. However, doing so will allow sewer gases to travel from the sewer system up your sewer hose and out the gray tank plumbing vent located on the roof of your RV.
And yes, even if you have a frost-free hose bib, you should be shutting off the water supply inside. Water also expands when it freezes and when there is nowhere for it to go, it will split the pipe from the pressure.
Install an Outdoor Faucet Cover
Insulated outdoor faucet covers are crucial for active conventional faucets, and offer an added layer of protection against extreme cold for both winterized conventional faucets and freeze-proof faucets. Install a cover that seals tightly to the wall around the faucet.
Leaving your outdoor faucets exposed can result in water freezing in the pipes within your exterior walls. If you suspect your pipes are already frozen, the best course of action is to turn off the water supply and contact a plumber.
It will only take about 24 hours of below-freezing temperatures (lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit) for the pipes to freeze in your RV. Since the average trip lasts a great deal longer than that, you should definitely take action ahead of time.
Now that your RV plumbing is winterized, you're free to continue using your toilet and wastewater tanks as usual. However, you'll need to pour in enough antifreeze to line the toilet bowl every time you flush to avoid diluting the antifreeze in the drain lines and blackwater tank.
Dump the black water tank first, then the gray tank. Dumping the gray tank last helps flush out the sewer hose. After you dump both tanks, thoroughly flush out the tanks. Some RVs have a built-in system for flushing.
Ball valves may be the most reliable valve and are commonly used for main water shut offs. Similar to gate valves, ball valves should be all the way open to allow the full flow of water or all the way closed to restrict all water from flowing.
If you're only pulling one trailer, the shut off valves should always be closed or else the air will simply escape out the back of the trailer. If you're pulling more than one trailer, all valves should be open except the very last trailer, which should have all valves in the closed position.
As mentioned above, grey water is all the water used in your RV, except what goes to flush the toilet. That water is called black water. The water used for everything else — showering, cooking, washing dishes, and all other water-related activities — goes into the grey water tank.
In most states, it is illegal to dump gray water on the ground. However, some states do allow it, but typically with very specific restrictions. For instance, Arizona allows you to dump gray water on your private land with exclusions, such as water from a kitchen sink, dishwasher, and more.
Always dump your black and gray tanks immediately after each trip. Always rinse/flush your black tanks after dumping (ideally for 20-30 min) Store your black and tanks with clean water and a bacterial tank treatment when there is no danger of freezing.
To prevent pipes from freezing, the best thing to do is turn your water off if you can locate your valve. If not, leaving your faucets on with a slight trickle - not a drip - to prevent broken pipes, he says.
For example, it prevents flooding when you are planning to repair a fixture such as a faucet or toilet or when you are faced with a plumbing emergency, like a leak from a water heater or supply line. Ideally, you should also turn the water off whenever you plan to leave your home for an extended period.
Before the first freeze of the season, be sure to turn off your home's outdoor water supply and drain the exterior pipes, including any outdoor faucets and hoses: Locate and turn off the outdoor water shut-off valve.