| Spring fever hits hard to those of us in colder | | | | Don't forget about any outside shower you may |
| northern climates. We've had enough of the snow | | | | have! |
| and sleet and look forward to seeing and hearing the | | | | 6. Fill the toilet with water and flush, several times. |
| robins in the backyard returning to their summer | | | | 7. Open the water heater bypass and allow the |
| homes and signaling that a re-birth is about to | | | | heater to fill with fresh water. You may wish to |
| happen. Lawns will begin to turn green, trees will be | | | | remove the plug and allow some water to run |
| budding, and RVers will begin our favorite rite of | | | | through the heater prior to filling. (Make sure you put |
| spring -- dewinterizing our rig! Knowing that | | | | the plug back in!) |
| temperatures are not going to go below freezing for | | | | 8. Once the hot water heater has filled, run water |
| the next six months or so is a definite cause for | | | | through all the hot water faucets. |
| celebration! | | | | If you wish to sterilize your fresh water tank, simply |
| We've put together some information to help those | | | | follow these instructions: |
| of you who may be new to the RV world to join us | | | | |
| in this rite of passage! | | | | 1. Mix one cup of household bleach in a gallon of |
| Dewinterizing the water system is a simple process. | | | | water. |
| | | | 2. Pour the bleach/water mixture into your fresh |
| 1. Start by filling your fresh water tank with 8-10 | | | | water tank. |
| gallons of water. | | | | 3. Using your white water hose, fill the fresh water |
| 2. Turn on your water pump and open a cold water | | | | tank completely. |
| tap. You will probably have some spitting and | | | | 4. Turn on your water pump and run each faucet |
| sputtering as the "pink stuff" comes out (if you | | | | until you can smell the bleach. |
| winterized using RV antifreeze) and is replaced by | | | | 5. Refill the fresh water tank again and let the |
| the fresh water (this is normal). | | | | system sit for at least a few hours. |
| 3. Allow the water to run for several minutes. | | | | 6. Drain the fresh water tank and refill with clean |
| 4. Connect your hose to the city water inlet and turn | | | | water. |
| it on. | | | | 7. Flush your system out by running the clean water |
| 5. One at a time, turn on all of the cold water | | | | through each faucet again, until the chlorine smell is |
| faucets and allow water to run for several minutes. | | | | gone. |