Winterizing in below freezing temperatures

[RVK]

Having spent the last 2 weeks south of the frigid temps and snowstorm of the I95 corridor,  we are traveling home.

Spent last night near Washington DC. We did not hook up to water and stayed cozy inside.

As we were winterizing before heading home this morning the fresh and city water inlets were frozen so that we couldn't get any antifreeze into them.

We're on our way home now and will try to thaw them out and try again.

Has anyone else run into this issue?  Did you have any damage?

[jd1923]

48 minutes ago, RVK said:

Has anyone else run into this issue?

Have you been using the furnace?

[RVK]

Absolutely.   We've been living in the camper for the past 2 weeks for this trip.  We were cozy last night and kept the furnace on as we were winterizing.

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, RVK said:

Absolutely.   We've been living in the camper for the past 2 weeks for this trip.  We were cozy last night and kept the furnace on as we were winterizing.

I asked since this has happened to those running space heaters, but first I've heard of the water inlets freezing when furnace is being used as the sole heat source. The water inlets plumbing is very close to the furnace along the rear wall of the Oliver. When the Oliver interior is kept above 60F, the furnace should be running long and hard enough to keep the rear basement and water inlets well above freezing!

Given "the fresh and city water inlets were frozen" they must have water in them and they shouldn't up to the backflow preventers. Good practice is to allow those ends to drain prior to capping them off. They can also fill when check-valves leak.

And yes, when plumbing has frozen when full of water the PEX could burst. You will not know until it is thawed, filled again with water and brought up to pressure to test for leaks.

Edited 1 hour ago by jd1923

[topgun2]

RVK - 

What year is your Ollie?

In the "older" models the water inlets are on the streetside away from the furnace and are, therefore, subject to freezing.  Unfortunately, if this happens then it is very possible that the check valves might be damaged.

Bill