Airstream Winterization Checklist

Step 1: Drain & Flush All Tanks

• fresh water tank
• gray water holding tank
• black water holding tank
• hot water tank

Step 2: Drain Water Lines

• If you have low-point drain lines under your RV:
  1. Open the hot and cold faucets in your RV
  2. Uncap the low-point drain lines; let water drain completely
  3. Recap Drain Lines
  4. Close the hot and cold faucets
• Blow out the water lines: (Note: If you have low-point drain lines, this may not be necessary)
  1. Screw on compressed air adapter onto main fresh water inlet
  2. Apply compressed air, keeping pressure to less than 60 psi
  3. Open each faucet, one at a time, to force water out of lines
  4. Drain water filter canisters.
  5. Depending on your unit you may have a washing machine, icemaker or dishwasher; the lines to these would also have to be drained and blown out. (Consult owner’s manual.)
  6. If you have a tank flush be sure to blow out also
  7. Make sure to open each faucet in the RV, including the shower and toilet (Don’t forget the hand sprayer)
  8. Open hot water drain plug and blow out the water in this tank
  9. Remove compressed air and compressed air adapter
  10. Replace drain plug in hot water heater and close all faucets

Step 3: Add Anti-Freeze

If you were confident you have successfully blown out all the water from your system, at this point you would add anti-freeze to all traps and the stool. One cupful in each is usually enough, winterizing would be complete at this point. If not, proceed with following steps)

Put Antifreeze in the water lines

• Use RV Non-Toxic Antifreeze ONLY—Approximately 1-2 gallons should be plenty
• Make sure water pump is off and all faucets are closed
• Close the Water Bypass Valve to your hot water tank (NOTE: If you don't have a Water Bypass Valve for your hot water tank, seriously consider having one installed. Otherwise, in addition to the water lines you will end up filling the hot water tank with antifreeze. It's not harmful, but you'll use an additional six gallons of antifreeze.)
• Disconnect the water line where it joins the fresh water tank - or - If your RV is so equipped, shut off the valve coming from the fresh water tank and open the valve for the winterizing inlet line
• Place the water inlet line (either from the main system or the winterizing line) into the jug or other source container with the RV antifreeze.
• Switch on the water pump; it will start to suck up the antifreeze into the lines
• Open each valve of each faucet slowly, one at a time, until the red antifreeze starts coming out. Once flowing shut off the faucet valve. Note: If for some reason you can't drain the water lines using the low-point drain lines and you can't blow out the lines with compressed air, you will have to wait until the antifreeze pushes out the fresh water in the lines before closing the valve.
• Be sure to drain water filter. Remove filter before adding anti-freeze and store in zip loc bag.
• Shut off the water pump
• Remove the inlet line from the antifreeze, then either: Re-attach the water line to the fresh water tank - or - Close the winterizing inlet valve and reopen the fresh water valve, if your RV is so equipped.
• Pour a small amount of antifreeze down each drain to ensure that the sink traps have antifreeze in them.
• Pour a small amount of antifreeze in the toilet bowl also. Note: Don't flush it into the holding tank.