Washer/Dryer water lines

[Lrazzano]

I have a new 5th wheel and have never installed a washer/dryer. Do you know if i'll need to winterize the lines since I haven't turned on the cold/hot water at the connection point?

[RMcNeal]

Yes. They will still be filled with water and thus need to be drained and winterized.
I actually put valves on my lines in the basement behind the rear wall so I could turn off the water to those lines and not have to worry about freezing during winter.

[1retired06]

Yes, I would think there would be water in the lines.

[Lrazzano]

thank you.

[DutchmenSport]

Before we had the washer and dryer installed, I winterized the water lines.

My lines were in a cabinet beside the toilet, so I simply connected a short garden hose to each line and ran the pink stuff into the toilet to flush them.

I winterized all the other lines first, the toilet, the shower, and the bathroom sink. Then when I did the washing machine lines it took all of 3 or 4 seconds before it pushed the pink.

Once we had the washer and dryer installed, winterizing the THOSE lines is quite different now.

To answer your question simply. Yes. Winterize those lines too.

[Daryles]

I installed shut off valves to those lines.
Water can stagnate in those lines contaminating your freshwater.
I have read stories of people having bad smell in their water. The sanitized their system, changed the water heater annod rod all to no effect.
After I told them to flush and sanitize the washer plumbing the bad smell went away.

[MandK]

Another yes. I hook a short hose to the washer hot and cold and stick it in the washer drain pipe. Turn on the valve for a few seconds until I see the pink and done. Hold on to the hose good, trapped air wants to pull it out of your hands. Easy does it.

[Wisconsin Retiree]

Yes, winterize and I whole heartedly agree with installing shut offs for each washer line to avoid the stagnant water issue. Consider I winter south and upon return in spring I had previously planned on installing shut off valves but never got around to it. Once I cut those lines and the remaining water that trickled out on me while installing the new shut offs was absolutely rank... immediate shower and change of clothes. NOTE: I regularly flush my fresh water tank and lines with bleach mixture twice yearly and those lines were still stinking...

[RETCHIEF]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

Yes. They will still be filled with water and thus need to be drained and winterized.
I actually put valves on my lines in the basement behind the rear wall so I could turn off the water to those lines and not have to worry about freezing during winter.

I have valves to install in the spring to make winterizing easier next year. We don't have a washer/dryer and don't need water in the bedroom.

[Legend1958]

Dumb question, but what size are the water lines? so I can order a couple of shut offs. thanks.

[Daryles]

1/2" pex.

I got this one for the toilet pipe. If you don't have the pex ring Crimp tool you can buy a push on Shark Bite valve.

SharkBite 1/2 Inch x 3/4 Inch MHT Crimp Angle Stop Valve, Quarter Turn, Brass Plumbing Fittings, PEX Pipe, PE-RT, 23064LF https://a.co/d/dtGrk44

[RETCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Legend1958

Dumb question, but what size are the water lines? so I can order a couple of shut offs. thanks.

!/2" PEX. I bought a crimper and an assortment of crimps and connectors to have an emergency kit handy.

[DutchmenSport]

Here's what I used on my Pex lines (1/2 inch) when I installed a new outside shower. If you notice, this photo shows two kinds of connections, the crimped connections and the type that slide on and then the outer ring tightens down. The only thing with the screw on type is, if you over tighten them, you break the plastic seal ring on the inside and then they are worthless. So they absolutely cannot be tightened with tools. Hand tighten only. They are easy to install, work well, and you can pick them up, very easily at your local RV dealership parts store. That's were I got the 2 Pex lines in the photo below and the cut off valves. In the second photo, that's a "T" I connected when I cut the water line to the toilet to install a bidet. Neither of these in the phots have leaked.





Amazon, click here.

[Wisconsin Retiree]

I actually used these with the threaded drain plug on the side where the lines run up to the bedroom closet/washer area. This way when they are shut off I can assure I have no water left in the lines from that point up to closet/washer area.

[Legend1958]

Thanks, appreciate the help.