Each spring, your RV should be maintained and inspected by a professional to ensure that everything is in good, safe condition for your summer's travels. If you don't do what needs to be done at the end of the warm seasons to prepare the RV for storage during the cold months, you will have a sizable repair bill for your spring maintenance check. Here, you will learn a few steps to follow during your winterization routine to lower the cost of your spring maintenance check and repairs.
Forgotten Plumbing Features
Most RV owners know that they must winterize the plumbing in the RV to prevent the water inside from freezing and rupturing the lines. But, what many RV owners don't know is that there are small components of the plumbing system that need a bit of extra attention.
Water Heater Bypass Valve – A valve that separates the water heater from rest of the water lines. This valve must be set to the bypass position.
Ice Maker Solenoid – If you have an ice maker built into your freezer, you have a solenoid that needs to be cleared. This solenoid is typically accessed from the exterior panel. During your winterization process, unscrew the inlet from the solenoid and wait for the antifreeze to come out of it. Once the antifreeze comes out, screw it back in place.
Appliances – Washing machines and dishwashers need your attention as well. You will need to open the water valves to the washing machine until the antifreeze flows out of it. The dishwasher will need to be kicked on until the antifreeze is pumped through the system.
Battery Protection
If your battery is left to die during the winter, it will need to be replaced because it will freeze. If you can keep the battery charged, during the winter, you can leave it where it is. But, if you are unable to keep a charging box on the battery, remove it from the RV and store it somewhere warm so it doesn't freeze.
Rodent Protection
Those little critters are looking for somewhere warm and dry to make into their homes for the winter. Those critters can cause a lot of damage in the RV that goes unseen until you run into problems down the road. Electrical elements, insulation and other issues can arise if you don't eliminate the pests before they move in.
Seal up small gaps, especially around the water lines, to keep the pests out. Then, set some bait that will stop the rodents from reproducing and filling your RV with their little babies to destroy.
Talk with your RV mechanic to learn more about preventative measures that you can take to protect your RV during the months that it is in storage. For more information, contact Auto-Truck Services Inc or a similar company.
Share