Antifreeze for freshwater system?

[RJJ]

Curious whether people tend to protect freshwater systems, and if there's much record of problems among those that don't. Presumably anyone that's suffered a burst pipe goes ahead and closes the stable door....

 

[Baddox]

We run the tanks dry as winter sets in. The boat stays afloat and has a small 80W heater in the engine bay set on a thermostat at 3'C.

 

[mrangry]

Boat stays afloat in winter so no real issue for me

 

[Tranona]

On many modern boats the most vulnerable bit of the fresh water system is the transom mounted shower head. Some are controlled by taps but others the water is under pressure right up to the shower head. With the former shutting off rhe taps and removing the shower head is simple, but with the latter I inserted stop valves into the pipework in the lazarette and again removed the shower head. If water does freeze in the head the moulding splits.

 

[[70521]]

We don't really have a winter in Cornwall. The rain is just a tad colder.

 

[Rappey]

Ashore or afloat ? Afloat I don't winterise anything.

 

[BabaYaga]

On many modern boats the most vulnerable bit of the fresh water system is the transom mounted shower head.

Another sensitive piece of equipment in my experience is the manual foot pump. Even a very small amount of water left in it may cause damage if frost sets in. Vigorously pumping air for 30 sec will usually clear the last ml's, but I have been unlucky a couple of times.
(I appreciate that the risk of frost damage is much less in most parts of the UK, compared to where my boat spends winter.)

 

[QBhoy]

No. Never. Just drain the tank. Open the relief valve in the hot water tank to drain. Run pump and open taps to sputter..Open up the suction side of the pump and drain that too.
If your engine heats the tank and is raw water cooled…take off the supply and return fittings from engine and blow through them too. All will be well.