The Bad Winter Advice No RVer Should Follow
05-02-2018
Author: in Education
Leave the water trickling from your faucet to prevent freeze-ups. I have heard this advice given to other RVers numerous times. I cringe every time I hear this spoken to a new RVer. Although the science behind the idea is sound, it can go very wrong if conditions are right. Just this winter,I personally witnessed three rigs damaged because the unsuspecting RVers followed this trickle-down advice while they slept or went out for the day.
Keeping the water trickling takes advantage of the heat caused by moving water. When water is flowing, the molecules rub against each other which causes a little bit of heat from friction. This can help keep the water above freezing while the ambient temperature is below. The flowing water also makes it slightly more difficult for ice crystals to form.
A way to prevent this is to open your grey tank so the water trickles down the sewer hose instead of building up in the tank. This could work depending on the outside temperature, but if the temperature is too low, this slow trickle of water will start to freeze in layers. After some time, the entire sewer hose can become a block of ice. This freezing can damage sewer hoses as well as sewer pipes. The issue of overfilling the grey tank also comes into play again.
Is this guaranteed to happen if you try to stop freezing pipes by letting the water trickle? No, plenty of people let their water trickle overnight when the temps dip below freezing without any issues at all. That is why this cold weather tip is so common amongst RVers. Every once in a while the conditions are just right and it backfires. As mentioned above, I have seen this happen three times in one RV park. When it doesn’t work, it can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
How this Works
We all know that when water gets about 32 degrees Fahrenheit it will freeze. This is an interesting molecular process that causes the water to not only turn from liquid to a solid, but it will also expand. It is difficult to drink solid water from pipes. The big problem with frozen pipes is the expansion. Expanding ice can crack pipes and wreak all kinds of havoc on a rig.Keeping the water trickling takes advantage of the heat caused by moving water. When water is flowing, the molecules rub against each other which causes a little bit of heat from friction. This can help keep the water above freezing while the ambient temperature is below. The flowing water also makes it slightly more difficult for ice crystals to form.
Related Read: Winter RV Camping: How To Keep Warm
Why this is a Bad Idea in an RV
Keeping the water running will help stop lines from freezing up. An RV has a finite storage tank for grey water, so if the tank is closed off, the trickling water will eventually fill that tank. If you are sleeping or out for the day, that water will have nowhere to go but all over your RV.A way to prevent this is to open your grey tank so the water trickles down the sewer hose instead of building up in the tank. This could work depending on the outside temperature, but if the temperature is too low, this slow trickle of water will start to freeze in layers. After some time, the entire sewer hose can become a block of ice. This freezing can damage sewer hoses as well as sewer pipes. The issue of overfilling the grey tank also comes into play again.
Is this guaranteed to happen if you try to stop freezing pipes by letting the water trickle? No, plenty of people let their water trickle overnight when the temps dip below freezing without any issues at all. That is why this cold weather tip is so common amongst RVers. Every once in a while the conditions are just right and it backfires. As mentioned above, I have seen this happen three times in one RV park. When it doesn’t work, it can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What do to Instead
If you know you are going to be traveling in places below freezing, be sure your pipes are insulated. If you have a winter package on your rig then most of your pipes are going to be covered. We have placed small 250 watt heaters in basement compartments that have sewer pipes or water tanks to keep that area above freezing. Open your cupboards and cabinets inside your rig so that your furnace can heat the pipes under sinks. Lastly, if your water hose is not wrapped or insulated, fill up your fresh water tank and disconnect the hose when temps are freezing. If your rig is poorly insulated with water pipes exposed to the outside, it may be best to winterize your rig and use RV park shower facilities.Related Read: Winterizing Your RV for Storage
Conclusion
Keeping your water trickling to prevent freezing is a popular practice and for the majority, a useful bit of advice. But the slight chance of this method failing can potentially cost big in the long run. In my opinion, there are cheaper and safer methods for preventing freezing lines in an RV.Comment
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
