How do i de-winterize my fresh water system

[billnpat]

THATS THE LAST THING THE MARINA DID NOT DO....

instead ill do it my self...:huh:

 

[Alex F]

Sanitizing Fresh Water System​

The fresh water system should be sanitized before initial use, after winter storage or when system has not been used for extended periods of time.
NOTE: The water tank must be empty before beginning the sanitizing process.
1. In an appropriate size bucket, make a solution of 1-1/4 cups (10 oz.) of household bleach and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water.
2. Dump water into water tank and allow treated water solution to remain in water tank for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Use faucet pump to bleed air from the fresh water line.
4. Drain treated water solution from the lines and empty tank.
5. Flush entire system with fresh water.

IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after each sanitizing process.

If fresh water has an excessive chlorine taste after sanitizing the system:
1. Pour a solution of 1 quart (approx. 1 liter) of vinegar and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water into tank.
2. Allow solution to stand in tank for several days.
3. Drain entire system and flush with fresh water.

IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after treatment.
Initial Start-Up
1. Sanitize the system as described above.
2. Fill the fresh water tank with drinking water.
3. Operate the faucet until a steady flow of water is visible.
4. Refill the tank to capacity if necessary.


Bill, the quick guide above is what I use. If you had antifreeze in your HWH, it'll take a while to make the smell go away and the household bleach will be necessary to use. I usually flush 3-4 tanks before I say it's all done. It's not a big deal, b/c while you fill/drain the tank you simply do other tasks and you don't have to spend too much time babyseating the process.

 

[billnpat]

Sanitizing Fresh Water System​

The fresh water system should be sanitized before initial use, after winter storage or when system has not been used for extended periods of time.
NOTE: The water tank must be empty before beginning the sanitizing process.
1. In an appropriate size bucket, make a solution of 1-1/4 cups (10 oz.) of household bleach and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water.
2. Dump water into water tank and allow treated water solution to remain in water tank for 3 to 4 hours.
3. Use faucet pump to bleed air from the fresh water line.
4. Drain treated water solution from the lines and empty tank.
5. Flush entire system with fresh water.
IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after each sanitizing process.
If fresh water has an excessive chlorine taste after sanitizing the system:
1. Pour a solution of 1 quart (approx. 1 liter) of vinegar and 5 gallons (19 liters) of fresh water into tank.
2. Allow solution to stand in tank for several days.
3. Drain entire system and flush with fresh water.
IMPORTANT: Thoroughly flush entire system with fresh water after treatment.
Initial Start-Up
1. Sanitize the system as described above.
2. Fill the fresh water tank with drinking water.
3. Operate the faucet until a steady flow of water is visible.
4. Refill the tank to capacity if necessary.

Thank you Alex....:thumbsup:

 

[Russ Calasant]

Wow Alex, that's quite a process! I am sure the marina is not that thorough! For years I just run my tank empty, fill with fresh water, add the sanitize tabs I pick up at West or wherever and run out of each outlet until it smells and tastes okay. Not that big a deal and does not take that long. I do like Alex's procedure though, I appreciate the time and effort including sharing it with us! I may just try it, thanks Alex.

 

[Alex F]

Wow Alex, that's quite a process! I am sure the marina is not that thorough! For years I just run my tank empty, fill with fresh water, add the sanitize tabs I pick up at West or wherever and run out of each outlet until it smells and tastes okay. Not that big a deal and does not take that long. I do like Alex's procedure though, I appreciate the time and effort including sharing it with us! I may just try it, thanks Alex.

Anytime, Russ.

I'm sure that marinas don't even think about doing it that way or would charge you hundreds of dollars for it. I have my standards and it's one of the reasons I like doing things myself.

It may sound like a big deal while it's one of the simple and less time consuming items.

I should add a note that before I start with bleach, the first thing I do is drain the remaining antifreeze and fill the tank, then drain it. This way I know that I have a clean start.

As I mentioned, while I fill the tank or wait for it to be drained I never sit by it. I just go to other items on my list and keep my ears open. When I hear the fresh water is overflowing (when filling) or a faucet is spitting air (when draining) only then I get back to it to do the next step. This is pretty much how I multitask with this.

 

[billnpat]

Anytime, Russ.

I'm sure that marinas don't even think about doing it that way or would charge you hundreds of dollars for it. I have my standards and it's one of the reasons I like doing things myself.

It may sound like a big deal while it's one of the simple and less time consuming items.

I should add a note that before I start with bleach, the first thing I do is drain the remaining antifreeze and fill the tank, then drain it. This way I know that I have a clean start.

As I mentioned, while I fill the tank or wait for it to be drained I never sit by it. I just go to other items on my list and keep my ears open. When I hear the fresh water is overflowing (when filling) or a faucet is spitting air (when draining) only then I get back to it to do the next step. This is pretty much how I multitask with this.

ALEX...The water heater will be also cleaned in the same process?? in other words i don't have to do the water heater alone??

and while i'm flushing i know the water pump panel switch has to be on but what about the water heater switch??

Also ....After the tank is clean,and the pump is off...[.SHOULD I RUN THE SHORE WATER FROM THE DOCK THROUGH THE TRANSOM SYSTEM AND JUST FLUSH IT OUT THROUGH THE SINK AND OVER THE SIDE?? OR ITS NOT NESS???

 

[techmitch]

"SHOULD I RUN THE SHORE WATER FROM THE DOCK THROUGH THE TRANSOM SYSTEM AND JUST FLUSH IT OUT THROUGH THE SINK AND OVER THE SIDE?? OR ITS NOT NESS???"

Do this first as not to contaminate the system you just cleaned.

 

[Alex F]

ALEX...The water heater will be also cleaned in the same process?? in other words i don't have to do the water heater alone?

Bill, when you turn on the fresh water pump or open connected city water (dock water supply) it will right away fill the HWH. Prior doing that, open the drain valve at the bottom of the HWH to drain all the pink.

....and while i'm flushing i know the water pump panel switch has to be on but what about the water heater switch??

MAKE SURE TO KEEP HWH OFF UNTIL YOUR SYSTEM IS FULLY READY FOR USE. If you turn on HWH breaker with empty HWH tank you may burn the elements. If you turn it ON with pink in it, it'll take much longer to get the smell out. So, turning the HWH breaker is your last step in the process.

.....After the tank is clean,and the pump is off...[.SHOULD I RUN THE SHORE WATER FROM THE DOCK THROUGH THE TRANSOM SYSTEM AND JUST FLUSH IT OUT THROUGH THE SINK AND OVER THE SIDE?? OR ITS NOT NESS???

Yes, remember that properly commissioned system will have city water lines filled with pink, so you have to flush them as well. Do it before treating the water tank.

 

[billnpat]

Bill, when you turn on the fresh water pump or open connected city water (dock water supply) it will right away fill the HWH. Prior doing that, open the drain valve at the bottom of the HWH to drain all the pink.


Thats where i'll get stuck.....finding that HWH petcock:huh:

 

[tdschafer]

Bill, when you turn on the fresh water pump or open connected city water (dock water supply) it will right away fill the HWH. Prior doing that, open the drain valve at the bottom of the HWH to drain all the pink.


Thats where i'll get stuck.....finding that HWH petcock:huh:

Bill,
If it's too difficult for you to find or reach, just hook up the city water and open a "hot" handle on one of your sinks. You can let it run until you see no more pink. My marina drains the HWT before the pink and only runs a little into the heater as it is already empty.

 

[billnpat]

Bill,
If it's too difficult for you to find or reach, just hook up the city water and open a "hot" handle on one of your sinks. You can let it run until you see no more pink. My marina drains the HWT before the pink and only runs a little into the heater as it is already empty.

GOOD......Thanks alex...

 

[osd9]

Bill...if the marina winterized your fresh water system, your first step is to determine if the HWH was bypassed to winterize the system AND if it is still bypassed. If it is still bypassed, leave it bypassed for the recom process. Either way, you will definitely need to un-bypass it before your fresh water system is fully recommed.

 

[billnpat]

Bill...if the marina winterized your fresh water system, your first step is to determine if the HWH was bypassed to winterize the system AND if it is still bypassed. If it is still bypassed, leave it bypassed for the recom process. Either way, you will definitely need to un-bypass it before your fresh water system is fully recommed.

What if i just do as ALEX says and open the hot water tap and clean it out anyway with fresh water from the shore water and the tank water cleaning...i'd rather have it all cleaned out and forget about it...till next year

Thanks Dom...

 

[320Bob]

Bill, in addition to what Alex has recommended, I run the the bleach water through all faucets and the transom shower so that you can just smell the chlorine. This will sanitize the lines also. I would not recommend adding vinegar to get rid of any chlorine taste since you run some risk of forming hydrochloric acid. Better to just flush once or twice more with water. The bleach water might also release some crud from either your tanks or lines so you might want to remove the faucet stainers to check for particulates.

 

[osd9]

Bill. It's best to not introduce any chlorine or antifreeze into the HWH if you can avoid it. Leaving the HWH bypassed, you sanitize and flush the water tank and all H and C water lines. That's all you really need to flush.

 

[billnpat]

Bill. It's best to not introduce any chlorine or antifreeze into the HWH if you can avoid it. Leaving the HWH bypassed, you sanitize and flush the water tank and all H and C water lines. That's all you really need to flush.

Don..
Leaving the HWH bypassed i will do....Thank you, But please explain how do i bypass it according to the ALEX's post or other post on this subject.....SORRY....a little confused .What do i leave out to bypass it???

 

[osd9]

Bill:

I'm not very familiar with the 310 HWH. But, generally, there are two ways to bypass the HWH. One is with a permanently mounted 'bypass kit' on the HWH and the other is to simply remove both the Hot and Cold water lines going into the HWH and then connected them together. In either case you would have to drain the HWH during the winteriziation process by opening the the petcock at the bottom of the HWH. Once the petcock is open to drain the water, it's best to leave the petcock open and the HWH bypassed through the winter months.

So, back to my first post above.....

...your first step is to determine if the HWH was bypassed to winterize the system AND if it is still bypassed.

 

[billnpat]

Bill:

I'm not very familiar with the 310 HWH. But, generally, there are two ways to bypass the HWH. One is with a permanently mounted 'bypass kit' on the HWH and the other is to simply remove both the Hot and Cold water lines going into the HWH and then connected them together. In either case you would have to drain the HWH during the winteriziation process by opening the the petcock at the bottom of the HWH. Once the petcock is open to drain the water, it's best to leave the petcock open and the HWH bypassed through the winter months.

So, back to my first post above.....

Thanks Dom...:thumbsup:

 

[tbirdvet]

I purchased a gal. of sanitizer from the Marina made for this purpose. After flushing the system I will pour this in and see how it works. May save some time.

 

[Alex F]

Bill, in addition to what Alex has recommended, I run the the bleach water through all faucets and the transom shower so that you can just smell the chlorine. This will sanitize the lines also. I would not recommend adding vinegar to get rid of any chlorine taste since you run some risk of forming hydrochloric acid. Better to just flush once or twice more with water. The bleach water might also release some crud from either your tanks or lines so you might want to remove the faucet stainers to check for particulates.

Bob, I actually never had to add vinegar due to excessive smell. just like you said it's much easier to flush extra time and the bleach smell goes away. I flush 3 times and it's usually good to go. If I need to I'll just do one more extra flush.

Don..
Leaving the HWH bypassed i will do....Thank you, But please explain how do i bypass it according to the ALEX's post or other post on this subject.....SORRY....a little confused .What do i leave out to bypass it???

Bill,

I'll try to clarify what Dom is suggesting. There're two ways to winterize HWH:
1) Fill it with antifreeze. This takes place when you add several gallons of pink in to the water tank and open the furthesthot water side faucet. The HWH gets filled as soon as the pump is turned on and the pink eventually comes out of that opened faucet. When you're done the HWH will be filled with the pink. This usually takes about 5-6 extra gallons of pink.

2) Bypass the HWH. This is means that the plumbing supplying water to the HWH tank is disconnected in such way that when you add pink to the water tank and turn the pump on it's not going in to the HWH, but rather stays within the smaller loop of the fresh cold water side.

So, what you do if you not sure which method was? This is very simple to find out. You open the drain valve in HWH and then pressure releave valve (the bronze valve with flipper looking thing on top of it). If the HWH has pink in it, it will start draining. So, you just let it drain. Also, if you confirmed that HWH had pink in it, you can simply turn the water pump and open the furthest faucet to let it all out.

If no pink comes out of the HWH, this most likelly mean that the bypass method was used. In this case you've got two options:

1) Keep it free of antifreeze. If the bypass kit is in place it's simple, otherwise working with the tubes will be necessary and since you're not sure what the bypass is, it's best not to mess with it until you fill comfortable with the procedure.

2) Your incoming lines have pink in them and HWH is empty. When you turn your city water side it will start filling the HWH before you have pressure in the system. The same will happen when you turn on the water pump. So, the worst thing that will happen is that a small amount of pink will get in your HWH tank, but for the most part it'll be just fresh water. When you'll proceed with the flushing and flush the hot water side first, there's nothing to worry about that small amount of pink that got mixed in the HWH. It's really a minor thing, so don't even worry about.

With my 240DA and my 320DA I've used the #1 method (fill the HWH with pink) when winterizing. I used extra 5-6 gal. and using my sanitizing method I never had issues in spring. So, it's really not a big deal at all.