|
| Author |
Message |
Bridge Boy
Member
|
# Posted: 26 Jun 2013 03:23pm
Reply
Does anyone have a simple design or advice for a basic 3 season camp for a water system that could be drained easily after weekend use in the cold of the winter. I have a camp built on piers with submersible pump drilled well. I have about a 10 gal pressure tank and a 9 gal water heater. I use generator for service and wonder if I could remove ck valve to well and drain with a gravity type drain at the lowest point. I am aware I would have to drain heater and pressure tank when leaving. Some say purchase a bladder tank for sure. Simple kitchen and bath with toilet and shower.
Thanks
|
|
skootamattaschmidty
Member
|
# Posted: 27 Jun 2013 10:52am
Reply
I have a 100 gallon storage tank in my crawl space below the frost line and a 12v pump. This feeds the kitchen tap, vanity and toilet. I also have an eccotemp L10 hot water heater mounted outside that gives hot water to the kitchen and shower. I have the lines on this isolated with a tap and we do not use the hot water in the winter. I rigged up a fitting to connect to my kitchen tap and then my air compressor. When we use the cabin in the winter, before leaving I simply hook the compressor to the kitchen tap and it blows the water out nicely in a matter of seconds. No problems so far!
|
|
countrydan
Member
|
# Posted: 18 Jul 2013 09:40pm
Reply
The check valve keeps the pump primed and I would not remove it... If removed, if the pump is not designed to self prime, you will burn up the motor sooner or later..
Assuming your main supply line comes out of the ground under your cabin, as this would hold some ground heat if properly insulated,
I would install either an air compressor fitting off the main line near the ground (to blow out as previously mentioned) or, use pex and remove all pressure after each time you leave in the winter.
We bout a foreclosed property that was sitting vacant for the process during a cold winter in s/w Michigan and did not have one single pex burst or problem from freezing temps. We know it got super cold because p traps and toilets busted onto the floor. It actually blew out porcelain from freezing but the pex was fine!
|
|
bldginsp
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Jul 2013 10:00am
Reply
Getting water to the lowest point can be a challenge. The lowest point above ground still leaves water in the pipes below ground, which can freeze and damage that section of pipe. Where I am the building department requires a 30" deep dry well with gravel down where your main water valve is below ground, so you can drain ALL the piping, at least down to the frost level. In my case, on a slope, I could run a PVC pipe across the driveway from the main water valve in a downhill direction, avoiding a drywell.
As skoot said, blowing it out with a compressor ensures that any trapped water gets out. Shower valves can trap water as well as water heaters, and you want it all out of course.
|
|
Montanan
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Jul 2013 03:24pm
Reply
Quoting: skootamattaschmidty I rigged up a fitting to connect to my kitchen tap and then my air compressor. When we use the cabin in the winter, before leaving I simply hook the compressor to the kitchen tap and it blows the water out nicely in a matter of seconds. No problems so far!
This is what we do also. We have a pump from a spring fed stream below the cabin that brings water up the hill to kitchen and bathroom. We are on the electrical grid so we have a standard hot water heater (30 gal, I believe.) When we use the cabin in the winter, we simply open the valves, drain everything (including the hot water heater) and then blow out any remaining water with a compressor. Just be sure that ALL valves are open.
Our biggest issue is water freezing below the pump in the intake pipe- above the water level in the holding tank- since we can't blow that out. We've been experimenting with methods to thaw that section of pipe. So far, hot water poured over it or a heat gun tends to do the trick. And once we get the water moving, it stays thawed for our stay...provided we leave a faucet dripping on the coldest nights.
Hope that helps.
|
|
Montanan
Member
|
# Posted: 19 Jul 2013 03:25pm
Reply
P.S. All of our plumbing lines are PEX and it is fabulous!
|
|
|
