Winterize Your RV To Prevent Damage
- Drain all water tanks and
- Remove batteries and check regularly for charge
- Clean and suction any moisture inside the RV, particularly in enclosed spaces
Skipping some of these necessary steps might be tempting, especially if you’re in a time crunch, but remember that finding a burst pipe or mildew laden couch cushions in the spring is not the way you want to start off your warm weather adventures.
Prepare Plumbing And Water Tanks
To thoroughly clean your water tanks and plumbing system for the cold winter months it’s important you make sure all the water is drained out of the water tanks and the entire plumbing system. To start this process, remove any water filters since you will want to eventually flush the system with antifreeze. At an RV dumping site, start by draining the fresh water tank, then the black water tank and the gray water tank, in that order. It’s important to be certain that the black water tank is entirely cleaned out so no human waste is left to rot over the winter. That would not be a nice problem to discover when you prep your RV for spring and summer travel!
Drain all of your RV’s water lines as well as the water heater, only after the heater has been turned off and cooled down. After draining all water lines, you should be able to run antifreeze through the water tanks, drains and faucets, and all water lines.
Prevent Damage To The RV Battery
Preserving your RV battery isn’t nearly as time consuming or tedious as you may have heard. It does take some maintenance throughout the winter to make sure your battery stays in good condition, but it will be well worthwhile if your battery is charged and ready for use when warmer weather rolls back around!
Start by removing your RV battery and storing in a clean, dry place where the climate will be above freezing temperatures. If you leave the battery in a cold or freezing setting, the life will quickly drain from it, and its longevity will be down the drain in no time.
Clean And Remove Moisture
When it comes to moisture in your RV, particularly sitting water, you want to clean that mess up as soon as possible, especially before storing it over the winter. Not only will water and other liquids that are left to sit cause cosmetic damage to the inside of your RV, but sitting for a long period of time in an enclosed space will eventually form mold and mildew to build up. The last thing you want when you return to your RV after winter is to find the place crawling with mold and mildew.
What Can Happen If You Don’t Winterize
Sure, you can technically get away with not taking these extra steps to winterize your RV before you leave it in storage for the season, but you will run the risk of extensive damage taking place. If you don’t make time to drain your water tanks and prepare the water lines for winter, you could be looking at a burst pipe which comes with a hefty price tag to replace.
Professional RV Winterization In DFW
If you’re located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and are in need of extra support to help your RV winterization process along, Elite RV Roof and Collision is your one stop shop. We specialize in roof repair and replacement, among several other RV repair services. We know your RV is one of your most valuable investments, so we conscientiously care for it while it’s in our hands and keep you informed every step of the way. Call us today at 682-802-9619 for a free on-site estimate!
