Idiots guide to draining water

[phil_in_npton]

Good Morning
My all knowing brother-in-law advised me to drain water from motorhome. Last year he did this for me but this year he is unavailable.
This may seem really stupid… what do I have to do?
I assume turn on all the taps and empty grey waste as it runs through. I recall something about draining the heater too, via a tap under a seat? Also was there something with the pipe work tap things in the wardrobe? Also is there a way of draining fresh water tank directly?
I know, such ignorance shouldn’t be allowed to own a motorhome!
Also is toilet flush system seperate?

2008 Autotrail Tracker EKS

Any advice appreciated, all mocking accepted

Phil in Northampton

Ps. Water has never been smooth since refilling last year after water!

 

[Miggs]

Turn pump off & water heater off obviously, open boiler drain and all taps.
There should be a fresh water dump tap outside. Consult the manual if in doubt or search for one online if you don't have one.
My Autotrail does not have a separate tank for the toilet, if you don't have a filler for the toilet then yours is the same.

If you're stuck, message me, I'm in Northampton too.

 

[Figaro]

As above plus leave taps open and drain pipework, there should be valves to open allowing this.
Put neat windscreen washer fluid in waste traps to avoid freezing up if they can't be emptied.

 

[tonka]

You will find some useful videos on youtube on the subject. Search caravan as you get more hits, almost same principal.
On an Autotrail, unless things have changed a lot there will be a main drain valve like the one in the picture, lift up yellow lever to open and dump all water. It should be located at floor level maybe in a cupboard somewhere. There should / may also be a tap externally for the fresh water tank. Wise to also drain the waste / grey tank and leave the valve open.

Open all taps and leave open as that will allow air in, run the pump just for a short while to help move a little more water out.
Remove shower head.
If you think it will be really cold I used to take off one end of the water pump as an added precaution, water can lie in the bowl which can freeze and crack.

 

[PhilMary]

As above but I also blow down an open tap or down the shower hose until I can no longer hear the water bubble. This is because any water trapped in the pipework may freeze and that can be expensive.

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[PP Bear]

And remove and drain the shower hose, forgot this one year, thought all the water had drained and it froze and split the shower mixer tap. Silly expensive mistake to make.

I also travel with around 6 five litre bottled fresh water and it’s stored under one of the sofas. If sealed I stand them in my shower tray, but to date, they’ve never been an issue, or take them out completely.

Don't forget to clear out all traces of food stuff, as the mice will be looking for somewhere warm to nest and eat.

 

[PP Bear]

As above but I also blow down an open tap or down the shower hose until I can no longer hear the water bubble. This is because any water trapped in the pipework may freeze and that can be expensive.

Heard people say that they use a balloon for this, but never tried it myself. Saves on the puff and popped ears

 

[Richard n Ann]

Tip of the day; When you take your next vacuum cleaner to the dustbin, save the flexi pipe, it makes a great drain tube

 

[Bonjour Motorhome]

In our 2007 Tracker EKS the ultra store (water boiler) is located under the wardrobe and can be accessed by lifting a wooden flap. Reach down inside to floor level between the UltraStor and the fire (heater) where you should find a little tap. And a normal conditions. This is horizontal (closed), simply flick it upwards into the vertical and the UltraStor will drain all its water. Note, however, this does take a long time to accomplish and don’t forget to close it afterwards.

Just behind the habitation door and underneath the bodywork, you should find the freshwater drain tap which is held up by a clip. Carefully open this tap, it might be quite stiff so don’t pull it out of the pipe and remove it from the clip so it hangs downwards in order to drain all your freshwater out.

All the tips from others above are great and very useful.

Cheers,
Zoe In our 2007

 

[phil_in_npton]

Thanks all for your advice, heading over to storage site now, doesn’t appear to be ultra cold in near future and van is in quite sheltered spot. However not likely to be using again until new year, apart from a few regular run outs to keep things moving mechanically.

Phil in Northampton

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[Riverbankannie]

Heard people say that they use a balloon for this, but never tried it myself. Saves on the puff and popped ears

An old fashioned bicycle pump works well. I unscrew the pump filter bowl and empty and clean it.

 

[PhilMary]

Heard people say that they use a balloon for this, but never tried it myself. Saves on the puff and popped ears

I often use a shop/floor pump if it's handy. I have an old shower head connector adapter that fits it.

 

[PhilipLh]

I have a Floe Induratec fitted. it basically pressurises the water system and blows out any remaining water in the pipes after draining. I can usually get an additional litres or so out of the system after draining completely and blowing down the shower line.

This has a dual purpose - it stops any remaining water freezing and also helps keep the water fresh as algae will grow in any remaining stagnant water in the pipes. it is quite simple to empty the system out completely after each trip so the water tank stays fresh. You could probably set up something similar from scratch with a bit of simple plumbing and a compressor but the kit supplied makes things really easy.

 

[phil_in_npton]

Think we are doing ok so far. Located outside tap for dumping remaining fresh water. Opened yellow valve under seating and is draining water tank. ( do I leave this open now?)
Removed shower head and opened all taps, running dry but gurgling a bit.
Just a query on the red taps under wardrobe. Do I need to turn one or both? Picture below as is now before touching anything.

 

[phil_in_npton]

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[hja]

View attachment 823164

Those are gas taps. I just turn my cylinders off.

 

[phil_in_npton]

Ahh..ok.. I thought the top one had a tap pictured on it do thought it was something to do with the water I’m draining.
Gas is off so I can just leave these alone?

Phil in Northampton

 

[Alex Brownlie]

You will find some useful videos on youtube on the subject. Search caravan as you get more hits, almost same principal.
On an Autotrail, unless things have changed a lot there will be a main drain valve like the one in the picture, lift up yellow lever to open and dump all water. It should be located at floor level maybe in a cupboard somewhere. There should / may also be a tap externally for the fresh water tank. Wise to also drain the waste / grey tank and leave the valve open.

Open all taps and leave open as that will allow air in, run the pump just for a short while to help move a little more water out.
Remove shower head.
If you think it will be really cold I used to take off one end of the water pump as an added precaution, water can lie in the bowl which can freeze and crack.

View attachment 823090 View attachment 823091

We take ours for a short run to empty any water in corners of the tanks.

 

[PP Bear]

Ahh..ok.. I thought the top one had a tap pictured on it do thought it was something to do with the water I’m draining.
Gas is off so I can just leave these alone?

Phil in Northampton

Yes just leave them alone if you’ve turned the gas off at the cylinders.

 

[varaizian]

As a general principal I like to operate valves and taps once in a while to make sure they still work and haven’t jammed. Put them back as you find them afterwards. I might have been confused by those pictures too.