R25C Water Heater Winterization

[NorthernFocus]

I have a question for anyone with the 6 gallon Seaward water heater who lives in an area with extended freezing weather. Do you just drain the water heater for winter or do you put antifreeze in it?

 

[allanrs74@gmail.com]

Northern Focus,
I keep my 2016 R-27C in Soldotna and have just gone through my winterization process. I'm not sure of the make of my water heater but I think the principal of getting the water out of the fresh water system would apply to any make. I try to remove all fresh water from the fresh water system to prevent freezing. So far, the boat has survived 4 AK winters without any freeze damage. The first winter I winterized the boat, I used RV antifreeze in the fresh water system but the next summer I did not care for the taste it left in the system so I went to using compressed air.

I first run the fresh water pump until the pump loses suction and stops pumping water by opening a galley or head facet. I them connect a garden hose to the hot water hose bib and open the drain valve and let the water drain under siphon to ground level, having the galley and head facets open. Next I disconnect the PEK fitting on the discharge side of the water pump and carefully and slowly blow the water lines dry, taking returns to the hot and cold side of each facet. You have to be careful to not over pressure the water system with air pressure and it is surprising how long it take to blow all the water out of the lines. I then take the suction side line off the pump and blow it back into the water tank.

I've created a winterization checklist I could email you if you provide an email address.

Stay safe,
Bob Allan

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Bob. You answered my question. I've been doing the antifreeze. I don't have a problem getting the cold water side flushed every spring but there's a pretty good heel in the HW tank that's hard to get out. That's why I asked the question because the tank is round and the drain is pretty far off the bottom. Was concerned that the heel was enough to cause a problem when it freezes. Obviously not if you've made it through four winters. Thanks for the reply. I may try just blowing the system down this year.