RV De-Winterizing Must-Do’s

If your RV was in storage for the winter, your summer camping fun can quickly become frustrating if de-winterizing isn’t done correctly & thoroughly.

This is the time to check and maintain SEVERAL items to hopefully prevent problems from showing up later. Here’s how to dewinterize, including Amazon links to items I suggest:

1. Return your water heater bypass valves to the correct position to allow water into the tank or tankless hot water system. Water flows through when valve handles are in-line with the pipe.
2. Flush the water heater tank with a tank rinser wand attached to a garden hose, then, replace the sacrificial anode rod with a new magnesium one (not aluminum) if yours is a Suburban water heater, or plastic plug or cap if yours is an Atwood or Dometic (their aluminum tank doesn’t need an anode rod, the plastic plug is designed as a safety feature, it melts if the temperature gets above boiling)
3. Remove the outside door to your water heater. Lift the handle on the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure proper operation and replace if it sticks or is dripping (make sure your size is correct: 1/2″ or 3/4″). Check to make sure the rubber safety grommet is in place where the propane line and wires come into the heater area. There shouldn’t be any holes or gaps, repair with high-temperature silicone to ensure no exhaust gasses could get through and into your RV.
4. If your water pump has a glass bowl with a debris screen inside, unscrew it and clean the inside of that screen, fill the bowl with water and replace it hand-tightened only. (over-tightening can crack it which will then suck air and cause faucets to spirt water with air).
5. Using a water pressure regulator, connect your potable water hose and turn on the water. Open each faucet (cold and hot) until all air is out of the lines, and your water heater is full of water.
6. With your RV water pump on, or city water supply on, grab a flashlight and look for leaks under your sinks, in the wet bay, and behind the water heater…looking closely at the fittings and hand-tighten them even if they are not leaking.
7. Tighten fitting by hand, or hand-tight plus 1/4 turn with pliers. Don’t over-tighten, they can leak if too tight.
8. Install batteries, check water levels, and/or check connections. Batteries lose 1 volt per month just sitting, therefore they should be on a battery maintainer for the winter, so they should be fully charged. Check connections for corrosion, clean the connection wire ends possibly with emry cloth or a file, and apply di-electric grease to the connections to help prevent corrosion and make good connections.
9. Turn on the battery disconnect switch, to send DC power to the coach.
10. Verify the lights work, water pump works, and other 12 volt DC items.
11. Sanitize your fresh water tank. This is done with a mixture of 1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons of water (verify your storage tank size) and fill your tank. Turn on your water pump (unhook your hose to the hydrant) and turn on each cold faucet until you can just smell the chlorine. Let it sit overnight. Then drain the tank, fill with fresh water, and run each faucet again to get rid of the chlorine smell.
12. Get on the roof and check the roof membrane or material for holes or cracks. Check the perimeter seals and roof penetration seals. Look for cracks or holes, especially over screw heads. If you find any, clean the area and re-seal with self-leveling lap sealant. Water intrusion points are very damaging to your RV, so prevent them by checking your roof annually.
13. Many RVs have a long plastic screw cover in a track along the roof edge and corner edges. Ensure this is still in place, and no screws are visible. Replace if needed.
14. Check all sidewall edge seals and opening seals around water heater, furnace, windows, etc. If caps or holes are found, clean the area and apply GE Silicone.
15. Check window seals and look for pulling way at the corners, or gaps. Repair or re-seal as needed.
16. Turn on the propane tank(s) and check for leaks with spray of soapy suds. If bubbles are found, or if you smell propane, contact an RV Technician for service.
17. Fire each appliance to ensure working properly (stove-top burners, water heater on LP or gas, furnace, refrigerator if LP or gas is an option. If none of them light and burn well, contact an RV Technician for service.
18. Clean around the furnace. Since RV furnaces do not have an air filter, they can suck up any dirt or dust which can cause them to not operate correctly. Clean around the furnace with a vacuum and also consider having your furnace removed and checked/cleaned/adjusted by a qualified RV Technician. This should be done every 3 years or sooner.
19. Clean and lubricate stabilizer jacks, hitch, and slide mechanisms (where required) with proper spray lube and wipe off any excess.
20. Check tire air pressure per the label on the tire, and don’t forget the spare tire.
21. Look underneath your RV for dangling brake wires or water leaks. If found, repair them or contact an RV Technician.

RV’s should be fun, not frustrating, so keep camping fun by properly maintaining them, or hiring someone to do these for you…which is always cheaper than repairs or problems or damage later.

Let me know if I can help you do these, or teach you how!

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