#13 Winter care for your caravan

Water Systems

Draining down is the best form of protection from frost damage, but it is important to ensure the system is fully emptied, just a small amount of water trapped in a tap head can cause costly damage.
Drain down procedure:

• Start by opening all taps (for mixer taps ensure the lever is in the central position to allow both hot and cold to drain).
• Open all drain valves and remove any drainage plugs (keeping them in a safe place), not forgetting the external plug for older water heaters.
• The shower head is best removed and shakenfree of water.
• If you have an internal water tank, it should have some means of drainage and/or removal.
• Remove any filters and save them for when you sterilise the system in spring (some sterilisation treatment damages the filter) and then replace.
• If you have an on-board pump, run it for a few moments to clear it of water, most good pumps can be run dry for a minute or so without any problem, check your handbook for details. Your external submersible pump can be shaken free of water.

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  Don't forget your Aquaroll or other portable water container, drain it and allow it to dry out thoroughly to prevent mould growth.
• Finally, one of the more effective ways of achieving full drain down is to empty the system on your last stay on site and leaving any drainage points open before towing home. The final journey allows the last drops of water to leave the system. Be aware, however, that it is illegal to discharge water on to the highway.

Go with the Flo?

An alternative and very effective way to drain the system is using a Flo Drainage Kit. This uses a compressor or foot pump (not supplied) to force the water out of the system preventing issues with stagnant or freezing water in the outfit's plumbing.

It can also cope with moving trapped water if some of the hoses sag. It is compatible with caravans, folding campers, motorhomes and static caravans and is very easy to use. Various adaptors are available to suit your particular installation.

 

Toilet duties

• If your caravan has a cassette toilet, this should be thoroughly drained and cleaned before storing over winter.
• Drain the flushing water tank via the drain tube, if it's provided, or flush as much water as you can through the system and into the cassette waste tank.
• Remove the waste tank, empty and clean it out.
• Clean and wipe the valve blade sealing the toilet from the waste tank with an appropriate seal lubricant (or silicon lubricant, but do not use petroleum jelly or any vegetable oil except olive oil). Manufacturers often also advise leaving this valve in the partially-open position for storage purposes to prevent it sticking shut. This is also a good opportunity to clean and lubricate other rubber seals in the cassette to ensure they remain supple. 

Flush tank black bit removal

Here is a simple guide to help you remove the black bits that sometimes collect in the toilet flush tank:

1. Pour 100ml of household bleach into 10 litres of water ready for putting into your flush tank, If yours is larger capacity use the same 100ml to 10 litre ratio
2. Completely fill the flush tank with the prepared solution
3. Leave solution in the tank for 24 hours
4. Drain the solution in to a suitable container and dispose of in the home toilet
5. Completly fill the tank with fresh water, leave 5 minutes
6. Drain the tank
7. Repeat steps 5 & 6 until no trace of bleach remains
8. Finally drain flush tank completely using the drain tube so no water remains in the tank.