Winterizing Your RV | RV Value Mart

Why Winterizing Matters

With the cold months arriving in full force, it's time for many RV owners to put away their rigs. But there are a lot of important steps to preparing your RV for winter to prevent damage over the cold months. Even if you empty your tanks regularly, it's difficult to remove all the water — and it can accumulate over time.

If water freezes and expands in your pipes, they can break. The best way to combat this is to add antifreeze. RV Value Mart has provided a basic breakdown of how this process generally works — though you'll want to consult your owner's manual first.

If you find your RV needs to be looked at before putting it in storage, schedule an appointment with our professional team at one of our locations.

Step-by-Step Winterizing Process

Follow these five steps in order to fully protect your RV's water system before winter storage.

Drain the Water System

Start by removing as much water from inside the RV as possible, including the water heater. Open the three low-point drains — one for cold water lines, one for hot water lines, and one for the freshwater tank — to drain as much water as you can.

Open the taps at every faucet and shower, and flush the toilet a few times to get every drop out of your water system. For the water heater, consult your owner's manual — you'll typically remove a drain plug or open a drain valve. Always let the water heater cool before emptying it, and leave a hot water valve open at one faucet to relieve pressure.

Blow Out the Lines

We highly recommend blowing out the lines to ensure all water is removed — any remaining water will dilute the antifreeze solution. Attach a blowout plug to the City Water Intake and use an air compressor to remove any last drops of water from the lines. Once you're confident all the water has been drained, recap all drains and close all faucets before moving to the next step.

Bypass the Water Heater

To save time and gallons of antifreeze, bypass your water heater before adding antifreeze to the system. This requires a bypass kit — some newer RV models have one pre-installed. If yours doesn't, talk to a trusted mechanic about getting one installed. Bypassing the water heater prevents it from filling with antifreeze, saving you significant product and effort.

Install a Water Pump Converter Kit

A water pump converter kit makes the antifreeze step much easier and more efficient. Without one, you'll need to use a hand pump instead. To use the converter kit, disconnect the inlet side of the water pump and connect it directly to a jug of RV antifreeze — this allows your pump to pull antifreeze directly through the system.

Add Antifreeze

Turn on your pump and go to the nearest faucet. Turn on the hot valve first, then the cold, until you see pink fluid flowing. Move on to each faucet throughout the RV one by one until they've all been treated. Do the same with all showers — both inside and outside. Flush the toilet until you see antifreeze appear, then pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain (including the toilet).

Finally, open the two low-point lines for the hot and cold water lines to ensure antifreeze makes it all the way through the system. When finished, close all faucets and low-point valves. Don't forget appliances that also use water — washers, ice makers, and similar appliances require specialized steps specific to your RV model. Always consult your owner's manual to winterize these appliances properly.

Winterizing Checklist

Work through this checklist in order to make sure your RV's water system is fully protected before winter storage.

Open all three low-point drains (cold lines, hot lines, freshwater tank)

Open all faucets, showers, and flush toilet to clear the water system

Drain the water heater (let it cool first; consult your owner's manual)

Blow out all lines with an air compressor via the City Water Intake

Install or confirm water heater bypass kit is in place

Connect water pump converter kit to a jug of RV antifreeze

Run antifreeze through all faucets (hot then cold) until pink fluid appears

Flush toilet until antifreeze appears; pour 1 cup down every drain

Open both low-point lines to push antifreeze fully through the system

Winterize water-using appliances (washer, ice maker) per owner's manual

Winterizing Your RV: Adding Antifreeze