How To Keep RV Pipes From Freezing

Knowing how to keep RV pipes from freezing is an important part of winterizing your RV. We’ll detail some key ways to stop your RV pipes from freezing and how to reduce the risk of your pipes getting damaged. Properly preparing your RV for winter is an important part of owning an RV, especially when you live in Alberta!

Whether you’re storing your RV for winter or keeping it for winter camping, you will want to ensure that your water pipes don’t freeze. When water freezes it expands and often causes the pipes to crack — it’s far easier to keep your pipes from freezing at all rather than repairing them once they’ve frozen and cracked!

Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your RV pipes from freezing!

Apply Heat Tape

Applying heat tape to your pipes and sewer lines can be an effective way to keep your pipes flowing all year round. You can find heat tape in the Grove RV parts department. Proper installation of heat tape can protect your pipes from freezing up to -40 degrees Celsius! 

Insulate Your Water Pipes

Insulating your RV pipes is a great way to save them from risk of freezing and cracking. This could be adding extra insulation to the interiors of your RV, or using spray foam insulation to permanently protect your pipes. The downside of using spray foam is that if you need to replace or repair your pipes, it takes more time and effort to remove the insulation. Always talk to an RV technician before installing insulation!

Install RV Skirting

RV skirting is an effective and simple way to protect your RV pipes. The skirting keeps your RV from cooling down too much as it insulates and protects the underbelly of your RV. The skirting is also easy to remove, so it won’t impact any of your repairs or maintenance.

Install a Tank Heating Pad

Tank heating pads are great ways to keep your water tanks from freezing. The heating pads use a small electric current to keep your tanks warm enough, and there is usually a temperature gauge that you can adjust based on the temperature outside.

Use Your RV’s Heating System

Another simple way to protect your RV’s pipes from freezing is to use the heating in your RV itself. Open up the cabinets and interior doors where your pipes are located. If you keep your RV at a warm enough temperature, your pipes won’t freeze as they will be warmed by the interior of your RV. It doesn’t need to be incredibly warm, but above 5 degrees Celsius should be an acceptable temperature to keep your pipes from freezing.

Add Non-toxic RV Antifreeze to Your Tanks

Adding non-toxic antifreeze to your tanks will keep your tanks and pipes from freezing. This is a simple and effective way to protect your RV’s pipes!

Ensure Property Maintenance on Window and Door Seals

By maintaining the seals of your RV’s doors and windows, you can help keep your RV at a warmer temperature, easier. One of the quickest ways to drop an RV’s temperature to below freezing is to have some kind of air leak. If your RV is properly sealed, your pipes will be far more protected from the cold!

Talk to a Grove RV expert technician to learn more ways you can protect your RV from the cold! You can also download our Winterizing Checklist!