The effects of frost damage to your caravan water system can prove to be very expensive once the damage has been done. Caravan manufacturers take the view that the insulation within the walls and floor of the van is enough to protect fixed pipework, boilers and taps but this is not the case. Frost causes taps to split, pipes to burst, boilers to crack and filter housings to fracture. In severe cases I have known even bottles of cooking oil to freeze ( but that only affects your chips!!)

The photographs below show some very simple steps for you to take to protect your water systems and ultimately your wallet.

 

1.  Carver Cascade boiler:   Take a large flat headed screwdriver and undo the drain valve in the lower left hand corner by turning anticlockwise. Once out don't lose it and when replacing - come Spring - don't forget to replace the rubber O ring

 

2.   Truma boiler:  Locate the yellow drain tap usually near the boiler and lift it to the up position.

 

3.   Water Filter Housings:   Equally as important as draining your boiler is the removal of the crystal water filter (if fitted).  Simply unscrew the filter which should only be hand tight by turning anticlockwise.

 

4   Open all taps.  In all cases and with all boilers it is very important to open all taps during the draining process.

 

NB:   Any onboard water tanks should be emptied and water pumps should be thoroughly dried out and placed off the floor within the van.