Low point drains?
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4618
Printed Date: 23 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
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Topic: Low point drains?
Posted By: cody91
Subject: Low point drains?
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 10:29pm
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Just curious what is the purpose of the two low point drains? I realize the one on bottom of the fresh water tank is used for emptying. Are the low point drains used for emptying the water heater? Thanks.
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Replies:
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 21 Apr 2014 at 10:43pm
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They drain all your water lines. We open all the faucets and remove the caps. Drain the hot water tank by removing the anode rod plug. Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 8:28am
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^Exactly. The low point drains are the lowest point in your R-Pod's plumbing. When winterizing, after you've run antifreeze through your taps, shower and toilet, turn off the pump and open the low point drains to flush out the last of the water. There's some debate over whether you repressurize the lines after resealing the low point drains. I think its a moot point - but I repressurize all the same. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 1:55pm
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The tanks have drains that empty the tanks. The low point drains are for the water in the pipes. There's one drain for the hot water pipe and one for the cold water pipes. Open all the taps, including the hot and cold shower and the sink and flush the toilet to release the vacuum that would hold any water up after you remove the caps from the low point drains. They let the water out of the everything past the tanks.
They might eventually drain the hot water heater, but as others have said, standard practice is to remove the anode and let the water run out.
TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 2:28pm
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An alternative for the water heater is to open the low point drains and then open the overpressure valve (near the top of the water heater, on the outside). It takes about 10 minutes, but it works. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 2:51pm
Any downside to doing this versus removing the anode? Is it easier?
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Posted By: Outbound
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 4:46pm
I did once unseat the valve and have to fiddle with it for 10 minutes to get it to seat again - it may have just been a fluke, but I'd rather not do that again. But, most of the reason I'd suggest draining by removing the anode is to inspect the anode. Normally, I only winterize and pull the anode once a year - its a great opportunity to check and make sure there's still lots of meat on it. ------------- Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150 |