by Nicole Gorsuch (NAPSA)Taking a few steps now could save you big bucks next spring on your RV, boat, pool, vacation homeor any other seasonal equipment or dwellings— especially when it comes to water system maintenance and avoiding burst or damagedpipes. Here’s how to prepare your potable water system for freezing temperatures safely, effectively and with the lowest environmen- tal impact: Thoroughly flush and drain pipes and fixtures: Water freezes at 32F, so leave aslittle in your system as possible. Install a water heater bypass: You may need to install a water heater bypass to reduce the amount of winterization fluid required and to protect only the A high-quality propylene glycol winterizationfluid is generally safe for people and the environment. environment. It is safe for inciden- tal contact with people or animals and is practically nontoxic to aquatic life. It also has the added parts of the system vulnerable to freeze damage. Byinstalling a bypass loop with valves at each end, you will isolate benefit of reducing the nation’s tank. This allows winterization Flush your system thoroughly in the spring: When the water system from the heater fluid to be pumped into the system without. first filling the tank with fluid. This can save you several gallons of fluid. Make sure your system is capable of accommodating the normal expansion of win- terization fluid, which occurs dur- ing periods of winter storage. Contacting a qualified plumberfor assistance isn’t a bad idea either. dependence on petroleum-based chemicals, becauseit supplements the propylene glycol with renewable plant-basedingredients. winter is over, drain and then flush all the winterization fluid from your water system, using plenty of clean water. Capture the winterization fluid and any contam- inated water usedtoflush the system and dispose of the waste liquid properly. Don’t use automotive anti- Use specially formulated freeze for water system winpropyleneglycol winterization terization: Most auto antifreeze fluid: Choosing the right winteri- is made from ethylene glycol, zation fluid productis important which is more toxic than propylto ensure the safety of people or ene glycol and can be more harmpets that might comein contact. with and swallow spilled or stored liquid. Theright type of winteriza- tion fluid can also prevent harmful pollution of ground or surface ful to the environment. Also, don’t use windshield washerfluid either, as it can freeze solid at subzero temperatures. Consult the instruction A high-quality propylene glycol manual: To avoid any unnecessary surprises, be aware of and freeze and burst protection as low as -50F, and is generally safe for people and the environment. For facturer. For more information, water in the eventofa spill. winterization fluid can provide example, Dowrrost” RVR, avail- able at Wal-Mart, AutoZone, OReilly Auto Parts, Pep Boys and otherretailers, is specially formu- follow any specific instructions provided by the equipment manu- visit www.dowfrostrvr.com. Ms. Gorsuch is a marketing manager for The Dow Chemical Company, a diversified chemical company that delivers a broad lated for use in RVs and other sea- range of products and services sonal equipment andis readily ranging from water and food to biodegradable to help protect the paint and packaging.
