Winterising Your Caravan, Motorhome, or Static Caravan: A Comprehensive Guide

As the temperature drops and winter approaches, it's crucial to protect your valuable caravan, motorhome, or static caravan from the damaging effects of freezing temperatures. One of the most important steps in winterising is draining down your water system. This process removes water from the pipes, preventing them from freezing, expanding, and potentially bursting, which can lead to costly repairs.

This article will guide you through the process of draining down your caravan, motorhome, or static caravan, addressing questions like "How do I draindown my caravan?", "How do I draindown my motorhome?", and "How do I draindown my static caravan?". We'll also discuss the benefits of using draindown kits, specifically mentioning prominent draindown brands like Floe Induratec and exploring if "Is it easy to draindown a caravan?".

Why Winterising is Essential

Water expands when it freezes. In a closed system like the plumbing of your caravan, this expansion can exert tremendous pressure on pipes, fittings, and appliances, often leading to cracks, leaks, and even complete system failures. Winterising, and especially draining down, prevents this damage.

The Draindown Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

While specific steps may vary slightly depending on your caravan model, the general process for draining down is as follows:

1. Turn Off the Water Supply: Disconnect your caravan, motorhome, or static caravan from the mains water supply. If you have an onboard water tank, drain it completely.

2. Turn Off the Water Heater: Switch off the water heater and allow it to cool down completely. Then, drain the water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves opening a drain valve located at the bottom of the heater.

3. Open All Taps and Shower: Open all hot and cold water taps, including the shower, to allow air to enter the system and facilitate drainage. Set the taps to the mid-position (between hot and cold). Leave them open throughout the draining process.

4. Flush the Toilet: Flush the toilet thoroughly to empty the cistern.

5. Locate and Open Drain Valves: Most caravans and motorhomes have drain valves located at the lowest points of the plumbing system. Open these valves to allow the water to drain out. The location of these valves can usually be found in your owner's manual.

6. Blow Out Remaining Water (Recommended): Even after opening all the taps and drain valves, some water may remain trapped in the pipes. Using a low-pressure air compressor to blow air through the system can help remove this remaining water. Start at the tap furthest from the water inlet and work your way back.

7. Consider Using a Draindown Kit: For a more thorough and convenient drain-down process, consider using a draindown kit. These kits often include a fitting that connects to your water inlet and allows you to use an air compressor to effectively blow out the entire system.

The Benefits of Draindown Kits

Draindown kits like the Floe Draindown system offer several advantages:

• Thorough Drainage: They ensure a more complete removal of water from the system, reducing the risk of freezing.
• Convenience: They simplify the draindown process, saving you time and effort.
• Protection: Some kits also introduce a small amount of non-toxic antifreeze into the system to provide added protection.

Choosing the Right Draindown Kit

Several draindown brands are available on the market. Floe Induratec is a well-regarded brand known for its quality and effectiveness. When choosing a kit, consider:

• Compatibility: Ensure the kit is compatible with your caravan's water system.
• Ease of Use: Look for a kit that is easy to install and operate.
• Durability: Choose a kit made from high-quality materials that will last.

Is it Easy to Draindown a Caravan?

While the basic draindown process is relatively straightforward, achieving a complete and effective drain can be challenging without the right tools and knowledge. Using a draindown kit definitely makes the process easier and more effective, especially for those unfamiliar with their caravan's plumbing system.

Additional Winterising Tips:

• Empty all water containers: Remove and empty any remaining water containers, such as kettles and portable water carriers.
• Add antifreeze to toilet: Pour a small amount of non-toxic antifreeze into the toilet bowl and flush it through the system.
• Protect exposed pipes: Insulate any exposed pipes to provide additional protection against freezing.
• Ventilate the caravan: Leave windows slightly ajar to allow for air circulation and prevent condensation buildup.
• Remove valuables: Take out any valuable items that could be damaged by freezing temperatures or theft.

In Conclusion

Winterising your caravan, motorhome, or static caravan is an essential task to protect your investment from the damaging effects of freezing temperatures. Draining down the water system is a crucial part of this process, and using a draindown kit like the Floe Induratec can significantly improve the effectiveness and convenience of the task. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure your caravan is well-protected throughout the winter months and ready for your next adventure.