This picture shows what can happen to an RV water heater when you fail to winterize. One customer forgot that winter temperatures drop below freezing here in northern Florida. When he put his travel trailer into storage during the winter he failed to empty the hot water tank. As the 6 gallons of water changed into a block of ice it expanded and caused the damage you see here. It also cracked the water fittings at the tank.
When the weather warmed the water escaped through the newly created slit and seeped into the subfloor eventually damaging the plywood. The damage was discovered only after the RV was taken out of storage. Instead of the first camping trip of the season the trailer came to us for repair.
What’s worse is that the RV owner suspended his RV insurance while the unit was in storage. As a result he was out of pocket for a new water heater, the installation and the repair to the subfloor.
The lesson here should be clear. If you are going to store an RV make sure your water lines, holding tanks and water heater are empty. Blow them out with an air compressor. Furthermore, add RV formulated antifreeze to all the p-traps and the toilet bowl.
Do NOT use automotive antifreeze! It will damage the seals in your system. We stock and recommend Winter Ban RV & Marine Antifreeze from Camco Manufacturing. We always have plenty on hand.
When the weather warmed the water escaped through the newly created slit and seeped into the subfloor eventually damaging the plywood. The damage was discovered only after the RV was taken out of storage. Instead of the first camping trip of the season the trailer came to us for repair.
What’s worse is that the RV owner suspended his RV insurance while the unit was in storage. As a result he was out of pocket for a new water heater, the installation and the repair to the subfloor.
The lesson here should be clear. If you are going to store an RV make sure your water lines, holding tanks and water heater are empty. Blow them out with an air compressor. Furthermore, add RV formulated antifreeze to all the p-traps and the toilet bowl.
Do NOT use automotive antifreeze! It will damage the seals in your system. We stock and recommend Winter Ban RV & Marine Antifreeze from Camco Manufacturing. We always have plenty on hand.
