How to Keep RV Fresh Water Tank From Freezing

Winter is here, and that means it’s time to make sure your RV is ready for cold weather.

One of the most important tasks is to protect your RV water tanks and valves from freezing.

A frozen water tank can be a huge headache; not only does it mean you won’t have access to running water in your RV, but there’s also a chance of the tank cracking or bursting due to the pressure caused by the ice!

So let’s go over some tips on how you can keep your RV water tank valve from freezing this winter.

Will RV freshwater tank freeze

The answer is both yes and no. Generally speaking, a fresh water tank can definitely freeze if there is liquid water inside it as temperatures dip below freezing.

The reason for this is that, when temperatures get cold enough, liquid water will expand and start to turn into ice. This expansion of ice takes up more space than the original liquid did, which can cause serious damage to the tank itself. 

However, many modern recreational vehicles come equipped with an antifreeze system that helps prevent their tanks from freezing.

This antifreeze system works by adding a special compound to the tank that has a lower freezing point than regular water does.

Therefore, when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 Celsius), the antifreeze mixture will remain liquid instead of turning into ice like regular water would at such low temperatures. But before we get into details about how to keep the tank from freezing, you should know the material from which your tank is made from.

What kind of plastic is an RV fresh water tank

When it comes to building an RV’s fresh water tank, there are three main types of plastics used: polyethylene, polypropylene, and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).

Each type of plastic has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at each type in more detail.

Polyethylene: This material is one of the most common types of plastic used for making fresh water tanks due to its low cost and high durability. It is also relatively lightweight. However, it can be easily scratched or damaged by sharp objects such as stones or glass shards. It is also not very resistant to UV light, so if you plan on keeping your RV outside for long periods of time, polyethylene may not be the best choice for you.

Polypropylene: This type of plastic is slightly more expensive than polyethylene but it offers some additional benefits such as being resistant to UV light and chemical degradation. It will also hold up better under extreme temperatures than polyethylene will. The downside to polypropylene is that it tends to be brittle which means that it could crack if subjected to sudden impacts or shocks from rough terrain.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS plastic offers excellent impact resistance compared to other plastic materials used for making fresh water tanks but unfortunately it does not fare well against UV rays or harsh chemicals found in some cleaning products. ABS can also be quite expensive compared to other plastic materials so if cost is an issue then this may not be the best option for you.

When selecting a new freshwater tank for your RV, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of plastic before making a decision. Polyethylene may offer the lowest cost solution but if you plan on storing your RV outdoors or in extreme temperatures then polypropylene or ABS might be better suited for your needs. No matter which material you decide on make sure that you take proper precautions when handling and installing your new tank so that you don’t end up with any unwanted surprises down the road!

The Three main methods to keep RV Fresh water tank from Freezing

Method 1 : USING HEATING PADS

The first method to keep a fresh water tank from freezing is to use heating blankets.

Heating blankets are designed to wrap around the outside of the RV’s fresh water tank and provide consistent warmth throughout the coldest days of winter.

The blankets plug into a nearby electrical outlet and emit enough heat to keep the tank at a safe temperature, even during subzero temperatures outside.

A major advantage of using heating blankets is that they do not require any installation or maintenance, meaning users can install them easily and remove them when no longer needed.

On the other hand, heating blankets can consume large quantities of electricity depending on how long they are in use; thus, they may not be suitable for those who do not have access to an adequate power source.

Method 2 : Water Pipe Heating Cable

Another way to keep a fresh water tank from freezing is using a pipe heating cable.

Pipe heating cable works similarly to electric blankets but is designed specifically for preventing pipes from freezing in extreme weather conditions.

The cable comes wrapped around an insulated pipe which is then placed inside the fresh water tank; as it heats up, it spreads warmth throughout the entire tank and keeps it from freezing over.

This method requires less electricity than using electric blankets, making it more efficient and often much less expensive in terms of energy costs over time. However, pipe heating cable does require professional installation which can be costly depending on how much material must be purchased for the job.

Additionally, if used incorrectly or without proper supervision, there is a potential for electrical shock or fire hazard; thus caution should be taken when installing this method of prevention.

Method 3 : USING antifreeze LIQUID (most common)

The third option for preventing an RV’s fresh water tank from freezing is using antifreeze specifically made for RVs (propylene glycol).

RV antifreeze is a non-toxic, propylene glycol-based antifreeze designed specifically for recreational vehicles. It’s designed to run through all of your vehicle’s plumbing systems in order to protect them from freezing temperatures.

Propylene glycol helps keep water from crystallizing in pipes, which helps prevent pipe damage and costly repairs due to frozen pipes.

Antifreeze needs to be mixed into the water within the tank in order to lower its freezing point and prevent ice formation during cold periods; however this solution should only be used as a last resort due to potential adverse health effects if ingested by humans or animals, but now, there are several antifreeze brands specially for RVs that are alcoholic-free and non-toxic.

How Much RV Antifreeze Should You Put in Your Holding Tanks?

The amount of antifreeze that you need depends on the type and size of your tanks. Generally speaking, most RVs use between 2 to 4 gallons of non-toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze per tank—this includes both grey and black water tanks, as well as freshwater tanks.

However, it’s always best to consult with the manufacturer before adding any type of product to your RV’s system. This way you can get exact measurements for each tank so that you know exactly how much product you need for optimal protection through the winter months.

How Do I Add Antifreeze to my holding tanks?

Adding antifreeze is relatively straightforward but it does require some preparation beforehand.

Before adding any type of product into your system, make sure that all lines are clear, valves are closed, and the water pump has been turned off so that no contamination occurs during the process.

Then fill each tank with the recommended amount of non-toxic propylene glycol-based antifreeze—you can use either a hose or a funnel depending on what works best for you—and turn on both hot and cold water faucets until you smell or see evidence that there is antifreeze coming out in every faucet in the RV.

Once this is done, turn off all faucets and let everything sit overnight before flushing out any excess product before hitting the road again!

Is RV Antifreeze Safe for Humans and Pets?

The short answer is no! While the propylene glycol used in RV antifreeze isn’t toxic, it doesn’t taste very good and can cause harm if ingested in large quantities over time. In fact, drinking even small amounts of RV antifreeze can cause nausea, vomiting, and other unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, it’s best to avoid drinking any kind of antifreeze altogether!

But what about my furry?

Unfortunately, many pets find the sweet taste of propylene glycol appealing—which means they may try to drink it if given the chance. The good news is that most brands of RV antifreeze are formulated with bittering agents such as denatonium benzoate which make it less palatable for animals (and children). However, if your pet does ingest any amount of antifreeze it should be taken seriously; contact a veterinarian immediately!

how to flush antifreeze out of RV

The first step in flushing antifreeze from an RV is to locate the fresh water inlet or holding tank. This is typically located on the exterior of the RV near the back.

Once you’ve located this, attach the city water to this inlet or tank. Make sure that the hose is securely attached so no leakage occurs. 

Next, turn on your RV’s water pump and open all of the hot and cold faucets throughout the unit. This will allow for the freshwater to flow through each one and push out any remaining antifreeze in its path.

Keep running new water until it runs clear indicating that all of the old antifreeze has been flushed out. 

Be sure not to forget about flushing out your holding tanks as well! These tanks should be flushed with fresh water on a routine basis (about once per month) using an external source such as a garden hose connected directly into them instead of using the RV’s internal plumbing system.

This will help prevent breakdowns caused by built-up mineral deposits which can occur when using tap water for long periods of time without flushing it out regularly.