You’ve probably tried all the tricks in the book to keep your water pipe from freezing, but what else can you do? The most important thing to remember when camping is to keep your line running.
However, this might not be possible while inside the RV; with a few simple supplies and a little creativity, you will better keep your pipes from freezing!
What can cause pipes to freeze?
One of the most common causes of frozen RV pipes is cold weather. When it’s cold outside, the water inside the pipes can freeze. This can cause the lines to burst or leak, causing significant damage to your RV.
To prevent frozen pipes in winter, keep your RV heated and sheltered from the cold. You can also prevent freezing by keeping your water pipes as warm as possible.
You can do this by running hot water through them every few hours or by using a heating pad or infrared heaters.
Tips for preventing pipes from freezing
It is important to take precautions to keep your RV pipes from freezing in the winter. Here are a few tips to help you prevent this from happening:
- Make sure all plumbing connections are tight. Loose connections can cause water to leak and freeze.
- Keep the temperature inside your RV warm. Warm air can circulate better and help prevent pipes from freezing.
- Cover up exposed pipes with insulation or a blanket. This will help keep the lines warm and prevent them from becoming frozen.
- Check your RV regularly for frozen pipes. If you see any frozen pipes, thaw them out as soon as possible using one of the above methods.
How to disconnect and reconnect a hose if it freezes
If you find that your RV hose has frozen, there are a few simple steps that you can take to prevent it from freezing again.
The first step is to disconnect the hose from the spigot. If you have a water shutoff valve on your hose, turn it off before disconnecting it. This will prevent water from spilling onto the ground and freezing.
Once the hose has been disconnected, wrap it around your hand several times to form a loop. Then, hold on to the end of the circle and pull it out of the fixture.
If you can’t find a water shutoff valve, you can try using a bucket or other container as a makeshift one. Fill the bucket halfway with water and place it next to the fixture.
When you disconnect the hose, immediately pour cold water onto the frozen section of the hose. This will break up the ice and allow you to reconnect it without any problems.
Conclusion
If you live in a cold climate, you know that keeping your RV pipes from freezing is a top priority. Here are some tips to help you keep your pipes from freezing:
- Keep your RV well-insulated. This will help keep the inside temperature warm, which will prevent pipes from freezing.
- Make sure your pipes are properly insulated. This includes around the valve and at the joints where the pipes meet.
- Make sure there is enough drainage in your RV – this will help keep water from building up and freezing.
- Keep your RV clean and dry – this will help reduce moisture levels in the air and keep pipes from freezing.
- If possible, move your RV during the winter – this will help prevent the ground below your RV from freezing and damaging your pipes.
