Eskimo007
L'Orignal
New Member
Joined: 08/14/2021
View Profile
 Offline
|
I live in Canada near Ottawa, and I will be leaving our Sunseeker 24 outside this winter. I went to Canadian Tire to buy some antifreeze to put in the waterlines for the toilet, shower etc and the clerk said to use some windshield washer. Is that good or bad advice?
Last year, I bought some Hall-Chem "economical plumbing antifreeze" that contains non toxic Ethanol and propylene glycol.
The stuff I am thinking of using is labeled "all season windshield washer fluid -35" but says POISON, so am somewhat concerned/doubtful... It doesnt say what's in it. It is blue instead of pink.
|
wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
Senior Member
Joined: 06/05/2011
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
If it says poison then don’t use it in any RV system. Only use anti freeze designed for RV water systems. It is a good idea to make sure your windshield washer fluid contains washer fluid safe to -35 though. When you pour it in, run the windshield washer to make sure the fluid gets through the lines.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
|
MT BOB
Montana
Full Member
Joined: 03/02/2021
View Profile
Offline
|
Bad advise, except maybe for an emergency. WW fluid is methanol. Lets look at it--
Emergency and Hazards Overview
DANGER: (Skull & Crossbone symbol) POISON. MAY BE FATAL OR CAUSE BLINDNESS IF
SWALLOWED. VAPOR HARMFUL. FLAMMABLE.
RV antifreeze is PROPYLENE GLYCOL, relativly safe. Plus,the methanol might affect the plumbing.
|
RedRollingRoadblock
Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 11/26/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I think I would be talking to the manager about the idiot clerk trying to kill customers.
|
BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 04/04/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Windshield washer fluid is a brightly-colored liquid made of methanol, a poisonous alcohol. Sometimes, small amounts of other toxic alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, are added to the mixture.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002803.htm
I agree. Someone needs to educate that person before someone is harmed.
|
|
|
naturist
Lynchburg, VA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/24/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Windshield washer fluid is NOT acceptable to winterize your water lines. Do not use it.
The stuff to use is non-toxic RV antifreeze. Use nothing else, except air. Blow out the lines with a low pressure air compressor (20 psi is plenty, but under no circumstances more than about 50 psi) to remove as much water as possible, then fill those lines with the pink RV antifreeze. Though more expensive than windshield washer fluid, it is a LOT cheaper than a liver transplant. Trust me on that one.
|
gbopp
The Keystone State
Senior Member
Joined: 08/03/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
You received poor advice. Do not put poison in your water system.
If you can't find the proper antifreeze, blow out your water lines.
|
Dusty R
Charlotte Michigan 48813
Senior Member
Joined: 04/05/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
If you have a shop vacuum that you can put the hose on the output, blower, use that to blow out the fresh water lines.
|
bobndot
USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/21/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Buy the correct rv or boat non toxic antifreeze.
There is alcohol base rv antifreeze as well. That is less expensive but can leave a taste in the lines.
https://recvehicle.com/winterization-and-rv-antifreeze/
Don't forget to pump it thru the outside shower if you have one.
Pour a cup of rv antifreeze down each drain as well . Sinks and shower.
|
MDKMDK
Free(er), for now, until the next "variant"
Senior Member
Joined: 10/15/2008
View Profile
|
Eskimo007 wrote:I live in Canada near Ottawa, and I will be leaving our Sunseeker 24 outside this winter. I went to Canadian Tire to buy some antifreeze to put in the waterlines for the toilet, shower etc and the clerk said to use some windshield washer. Is that good or bad advice?
Last year, I bought some Hall-Chem "economical plumbing antifreeze" that contains non toxic Ethanol and propylene glycol.
The stuff I am thinking of using is labeled "all season windshield washer fluid -35" but says POISON, so am somewhat concerned/doubtful... It doesnt say what's in it. It is blue instead of pink.
If it's just going down the toilet or shower drains, it should work to resist freezing in the traps. I think someone said in an emergency?
The concern is what the ingredients in the ww antifreeze might do to the seals and valves it will come into contact with downstream. Pure alcohols will cause harm to rubber, and who knows what else, in the short plumbing run from those appliances (shower/toilet) to the exit drains.
The pink stuff usually has added lubricants, and is less likely to damage plumbing componenets.
If you can, use the pink stuff, before the blue stuff.
Mike. Comments are anecdotal or personal opinions, and worth what you paid for them.
2018 (2017 Sprinter Cab Chassis) Navion24V + 2016 Wrangler JKU (sold @ ????)
2016 Sunstar 26HE, V10, 3V, 6 Speed (sold @ 4600 miles)
2002 Roadtrek C190P (sold @ 315,000kms)
|
|
|
