Winterizing no pink in hot water lines

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   The objection to auto antifreeze for plumbing is that it attracts animals and is toxic and bactericidal. So, don't put it on food surfaces but also don't put it on the ground or in a septic system. So where do you drain it safely?  It also costs more than RV antifreeze so why use it for a purpose for which it isn't intended?
I used to actually like sweating copper and using Wonder bread to dry out the pipes and all that. But that's kinda like enjoying driving an antique vehicle without a synchro tranny or programming a first gen PC because there was no software available for them. You enjoy the satisfaction coming from mastering a skill but you wouldn't want to return to the days when those were the only choices. 

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offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Topic: Winterizing no pink in hot water lines Posted: 19 Oct 2020 at 7:31am
	The objection to auto antifreeze for plumbing is that it attracts animals and is toxic and bactericidal. So, don't put it on food surfaces but also don't put it on the ground or in a septic system. So where do you drain it safely? It also costs more than RV antifreeze so why use it for a purpose for which it isn't intended? I used to actually like sweating copper and using Wonder bread to dry out the pipes and all that. But that's kinda like enjoying driving an antique vehicle without a synchro tranny or programming a first gen PC because there was no software available for them. You enjoy the satisfaction coming from mastering a skill but you wouldn't want to return to the days when those were the only choices.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

ampete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Aug 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 7:12pm
	Thanks Tars. I pretty much fit the description of the beginner with no specialized tools (although I'm always happy to buy the right tool for the job) working in a tight space. Appreciate your input. Thanks for taking the time to give specifics.

ampete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Aug 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 7:07pm
	CharlieM Thanks for your earlier post. I will follow your advice to get the pod winterized. I think I'll wait to tackle the new bypass valve until spring. Thanks for your input on Sharkbites and PEX. I have no experience with either, so I appreciate everyone's personal preferences. Good to have options. :) Thanks for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.

Tars Tarkas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 7:04pm
	I have used both methods, and I have the tools to crimp, along with a pretty good supply crimps. I'll use them without hesitation if and when... I mostly spoke of SharkBite-type fittings, and was kidding about buying stock. It's probably way to late for that. I've sweated copper, threaded steel, done old black plastic pipe with screw clamps, and PEX. SharkBite fittings are over-priced but they are hands down, the easiest thing to use by far. Especially for beginners with no tools, in tight places. I still kinda like sweating copper, but maybe except in rare cases, its time has pretty much come and gone.... TT
	2010 176 FJ Cruiser

CharlieM Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 6:47pm
	First, use pink antifreeze in the P-traps and toilet bowel. Actually, and this should start a huge argument, regular auto antifreeze is fine for drains. Just don't let it get anywhere near food surfaces. Let the discussion begin....... On Sharkbite vs Pex crimps: I've used both. Sharkebites are good but I think I trust the clamp rings a bit more in the vibration environment. I used a pair of Sharkbites in one location under the kitchen sink where I just couldn't get the clamp tool. The clamp tool I borrowed had long handles that really limited access. I have no experience using the Pex crimps. That said, the Sharkbites have not leaked over several years and many thousands of miles. They are easy to use.
	Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

ampete Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 18 Aug 2020 Online Status: Offline Posts: 53	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 4:24pm
	OFFGRID, JATO, TARS Looks like I have 2 good options. I am happy to hear that it should be pretty simple to do myself without paying for an RV plumber! I'll keep you posted, although I probably won't tackle it until the spring. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 3:34pm
	I don't miss sweating copper pipe, that's for sure. The Pex lasts longer and is more freeze tolerant. Cheap too. When I re-plumbed my old 1930's house I got a Pex water manifold and ran home runs to each fixture. Like a circuit breaker box for the plumbing. No valves needed at the fixtures and no tee fittings anywhere. You bring the supply line in the bottom, cold out the top to a wall mount tankless water heater mounted above, then hot back down to the hot side of the manifold. Wow was that easy. Highly recommended. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Viega-50250-VIEGA-1-2-18-Port-PolyAlloy-Crimp-MANABLOC-8-hot-10-cold?gclid=CjwKCAjwz6_8BRBkEiwA3p02VYl1lWyDEamk8kH_zbMyxyzvIE4EXr8AOQ2wpyEtqTLg4os5na8bfRoClaoQAvD_BwE
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3221	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 3:17pm
	Yes I have, and as you have wisely pointed out, both are easy to work with and each have their place. I didn't have the PEX tools (although my son who lives 45 minutes away does) so going 10 minutes away to the hardware store was just a convenience thing for me, and being impetuous, didn't want to wait to get the 'free' tool to borrow from my son some time in the future.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

offgrid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Jul 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5290	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 3:01pm
	Have you used both methods? I have. They are both very very easy, I wouldn't put the push on ones as significantly easier. And the crimp tool won't release until you get it tight enough, so there is no skill involved in getting a good crimp. PEX has truly "democratized" (small d) plumbing, anyone can do it. When I have used the push on ones it was for exactly the reason you suggested, couldn't get access with the crimper. That is certainly a valid reason, but its uncommon. We both saw the photos, the crimper can easily get to where it needs to in this case. Anyhow, to me any company that relies on their brand name to command an exorbitant price for their products is vulnerable to disruption from new market entrants. There are other alternative push on options to Sharkbite now. I think it would be a risky investment. Just like Monster Cable a few years ago. Charging 10x so you don't lose any signal on a DIGITAL cable, stupid business model. Anyhow, this is a silly thing to debate, either way will work just fine in this case, and I think ampete has sufficient info to decide for himself.
	1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3221	Posted: 18 Oct 2020 at 2:59pm
	This spring I made a decision to purchase the hi-rise Thetford toilet giving an additional 4.5" rise; making my DW very happy with her artificial knee. To the point - the only thing needed to do to make the change was to increase the length of the supply line by 4.5 inches. SharkBite to the rescue! No muss, no fuss. Press on - done. I like that. After doing a lot of plumbing jobs using copper and solder, or at the golf course plastic and cement - that was a piece of cake. Wish they had that years ago.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."