Low point drain valves

[TomHaycraft]

I went with 1/2 inch male threaded, used the collar already secured to the PEX tubes that previously held the threaded "plug." 1/4 turn valve.

[Greene728]

Finished it up today. Not perfect, but definitely better!

[bertschb]

OK, I'm going to ask the dumb question-

What is the point of these low point drain valves anyway?

When I winterize I pump antifreeze into the plumbing. If I opened these low point drain plugs will all the antifreeze drain out? If so, what are these drain plugs used for? IOW, if all the water drains out of the lines and through these low point plugs, why bother adding antifreeze?

Hey, I told you I had a dumb question...

[notsosan]

The purpose is to get as much water out as possible before adding antifreeze. I actually forgot to drain them this year and remembered a few days after we got some below freezing weather. The caps were frozen so I put a heat gun on the lines for a little bit and when I took the caps off a plug of ice about an inch and a half long fell out then antifreeze (or a mixture, it was pink) started comming so it seems there wasn't a lot of water left in there anyway. I won't count on it in future though and wiil be draining them next time.

[bertschb]

Thanks for the explanation Nick. That makes sense.

[Greene728]

Exactly. They are the "low points" in the plumbing. Open all faucets (hot and cold) then remove plugs and a large majority of the water will just dump from gravity and siphonage to an extent. When winterizing it makes for less water to go into the tanks and less to be displaced by the antifreeze.

[careyd38]

Not a dumb question at all Brian. I was reading over my owner manuals (yes, I'm a newbie) tonight and the included Nautilus P1 winterizing instructions never mentions the low point drain valves OR draining the hot water heater! Instructions are to set valves to 'winterize', pump in AF until it comes out of all faucets and you are done.

[dw2407]

Attached is a link to the Nautilus User manual. The winterizing instructions address both the low point drains and hot water heater. Hopefully this helps.
http://www.bandbmolders.com/files/User_Instructions.pdf

[bertschb]

Attached is a link to the Nautilus User manual. The winterizing instructions address both the low point drains and hot water heater. Hopefully this helps.
http://www.bandbmolders.com/files/User_Instructions.pdf

This is VERY helpful and much more detailed. Thanks for sharing!

[Timmer]

Bringing this topic back around. This is our 3rd camper. We too were surprised to see the low point having plugs as opposed to valves. Our previous campers had valves which are much more convenient. I understand these may be prone to freezing in cold whether, but there are materials that aren't as susceptible. I would like to replace these. I see earlier posts noting 1/2 inch male threaded. However, I'm curious if you need to worry about the threading? Are the threads all the same with plumbing so all I need to do is go find a 1/2 inch valve?