{"id":7798,"date":"2021-10-03T13:24:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-03T13:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=7798"},"modified":"2023-01-28T09:06:48","modified_gmt":"2023-01-28T09:06:48","slug":"rv-antifreeze-septic-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/rv-antifreeze-septic-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"RV Antifreeze And Septic Systems: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Winters can be hard on our RVs’ plumbing system, septic systems, and engines with the liquid freezing and then expanding, causing some severe damage. Luckily, you can save a lot of cash on unnecessary repairs by winterizing your RV with the right RV antifreeze, but I am sure you are wondering how the antifreeze will affect your septic system. So here is what you need to know about RV antifreeze and septic systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is rv antifreeze safe for septic systems?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n RV antifreeze is labeled non-toxic and the bottle will say if it is \u201cseptic safe\u201d. Generally, dumping the few gallons from the RV lines and holding tanks will be adequately diluted in the septic system but large amounts could disrupt the balance of your septic system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the brand of RV antifreeze that I use and it is “septic safe” RV antifreeze <\/a>(amazon). <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is RV antifreeze?<\/p>\n\n\n\n RV antifreeze is a unique non-toxic fluid that has a freezing point of -50 (or -100) degrees Fahrenheit, thus protecting your water lines in places that experience frigid winters. In warm weather, you can flush RV antifreeze down the drain or into the septic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An RV is a big investment and repairs from damaged systems can be very costly. So preventing damage from frozen water lines is with RV antifreeze is important. In this article, we’ll show you how to winterize your RV and if it’s safe to pour the antifreeze down the drain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For more anti-freeze resources, start here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cold winter months pose a huge threat to the system in RVs, we all know that we have to winterize them. But the automobile antifreeze won’t do the trick; in fact, it is quite toxic to any parts of an RV other than the engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, you must winterize your RV using the right RV antifreeze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What is RV antifreeze and how do you find it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n RV antifreeze is a pink liquid formulated to prevent RV water systems from freezing in temperatures down to -50 (or -100) degrees Fahrenheit. It is made of ethanol or propylene glycol, is non-toxic,<\/em><\/strong> and is<\/strong> <\/em>made for RV plumbing.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While both RV and automobile antifreeze can prevent the liquid in pipes from freezing, the difference is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important difference between RV antifreeze and automobile antifreeze is that car antifreeze is highly toxic to humans and animals. RV antifreeze is non-toxic and made to be used in the RV water system. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n RV antifreeze features a non-toxic formula that helps prevent the plumbing pipes from expanding and bursting as the water freezes. RV antifreeze is made using biodegradable components; therefore, when accidentally spilled, it won’t affect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, some of your RV’s water tanks are used to store the freshwater used to clean the RV, cook, and drink. Therefore, make sure you winterize it using non-toxic antifreeze. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although they perform the same function, there is a huge difference between these two types of antifreeze. But one thing that remains the same is their main ingredients. The primary components in most antifreeze products are ethylene glycol and Propylene glycol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On an interesting note, automobile antifreeze is used in the cooling system of the engine. Therefore, the boiling point is as important as the freezing point. RV antifreeze is not made to be boiled or heated under pressure. So do not use the pink stuff (RV antifreeze) in your car.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A considerable percentage of the antifreeze products are prepared by mixing a base product like (Mono propylene glycol or mono ethylene glycol) with numerous additives and distilled water. Ethylene glycol was discovered in 1926, and since then, it has been marketed as antifreeze. And that is because its high boiling point can come in handy during the cold weather and summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though it’s used in a wide range of systems, it can oxidize into five organic acids (acetic, glyoxylic, glycolic, oxalic, and formic acids). Ethylene glycol has a toxic effect when ingested because your liver can convert it to numerous agents that are quite toxic. In fact, about 1.4 ml\/kg of ethylene glycol is lethal to a 140-pound individual if he\/she is not treated within an hour of ingestion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike ethylene glycol, propylene glycol is less toxic and has even been referred to as non-toxic antifreeze by some manufacturers. This antifreeze is used where the toxic antifreeze cannot be used like in plumbing lines and food processing systems. The FDA has allowed this chemical to be added to numerous baked goods and processed foods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another primary component that is used in diesel engines is the propylene glycol methyl ether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though we don’t always talk about it, the water system is a crucial aspect of your RV. And without one, you would never consider it to be traveling home. But many people refer to their RVs’ wastewater systems and plumbing as the sewer system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The water systems of RVs vary depending on the model and type of RV. But some of the basic components found in all systems include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n RVs have a tank that holds water to be used for cooking and cleaning. The water is pumped from the tank to the water heater and the faucets and toilets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gray water tank is a unique holding tank that receives the water from the shower or sinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just for fun, you may be wondering about peeing in an RV shower. You are in luck! Read our discussion here: Can you Pee in an RV Shower and other Graywater Questions. <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The wastewater tank collects all the wastewater toilets only. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: some systems also collect water from a sink or outdoor sink that may be piped to the blackwater tank. I personally think it is a terrible design but my travel trailer is piped this way. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally, the above tanks collect all the wastewater while you’re away camping and when full, you connect them to the sewer hose and empty them into a sewer connection. The dumping system on RVs can differ, with some coming with pumps that remove the waste while others use gravity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
What Is in RV Antifreeze?<\/h2>\n\n\n
What Is the Difference Between Automobile Antifreeze and RV Antifreeze?<\/h2>\n\n\n
Ethylene Glycol<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Propylene Glycol<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Antifreeze Chemicals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Component<\/strong><\/td> Concentration in water (%)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Calcium Oxide<\/td> 32<\/td><\/tr> Ethanol <\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> Ethylene glycol<\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> Glycerol <\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> methanol<\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> Potassium chloride<\/td> 11<\/td><\/tr> Propylene glycol<\/td> 50<\/td><\/tr> Sodium chloride<\/td> 23<\/td><\/tr> sucrose<\/td> 42<\/td><\/tr> Urea<\/td> 44<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> How Do RV Water Systems Work (and How Antifreeze Affects the Process)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Basic Components of an RV Water System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fresh Water Holding Tank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gray Water Tank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wastewater or Black Water Tank<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dumping System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does the Antifreeze Affect the Water System?<\/h2>\n\n\n