Frost proofing with incandescent bulb

[flashlight]

Let me say this again. Heat tape. Heat tape is designed for exactly the purpose of keeping pipes unfrozen. It's not a safety hazard to run. It will not burn out in a few thousand hours. It does not require an enclosure around the dishwasher. It requires no mods to the dishwasher. I have used heat tape to keep my RV water and sewage lines unfrozen in the middle of winter in NC. It works well.

Coppersmith, I use heat tape in various places, particularly where pipes are on an exterior wall. It's not a safety hazard to run per se, but it does caution that it shouldn't be left on if the pipes are drained, not sure if they are just being super careful ?
I don't think it would solve the problem of water remaining in the pump, and not sure I would be able to blow all that out. I am leaning towards
running a cycle with RV antifreeze and not relying on anything electrical.

 

[winnie]

I don't think it would solve the problem of water remaining in the pump, and not sure I would be able to blow all that out. I am leaning towards
running a cycle with RV antifreeze and not relying on anything electrical.

I personally feel that such is the best option. As I said, it isn't a 'no brainer' and you are right to question if the antifreeze will harm the unit; but I think the answer is: nope, the antifreeze will not harm the unit and will protect the unit from freezing. (Note: I am not an expert, I am simply reporting my impression from some internet reading. )

-Jon

 

[flashlight]

Thanks everyone for weighing in. As Jon Snow said, "winter is coming", and then the proof will be in the pudding...

 

[kwired]

I don't think you would have to "run a cycle" with antifreeze. When unit is finished running all you have is a small amount of water that is still in the pump. Probably can get by with just pouring as little as a cup of antifreeze in bottom of tub and it will be fine as it will mix in with what water is still in the sump. That sump probably only holds a cup or two of water to begin with after it has pumped the unit out, it is just water that the pump couldn't push out the drain line and falls back to the sump after the pump shuts off.

 

[flashlight]

I don't think you would have to "run a cycle" with antifreeze. When unit is finished running all you have is a small amount of water that is still in the pump. Probably can get by with just pouring as little as a cup of antifreeze in bottom of tub and it will be fine as it will mix in with what water is still in the sump. That sump probably only holds a cup or two of water to begin with after it has pumped the unit out, it is just water that the pump couldn't push out the drain line and falls back to the sump after the pump shuts off.

The pump itself probably only holds a small amount of water but the drain tubing comes out of the bottom of the machine, makes a "high loop" before it drains into waste line beneath sink. I don't have a good way to drain that tubing, and I believe the bottom half of it before the loop will still have water, therefore, I will have to get the pump to pump some antifreeze into it for at least part of a cycle.
Sigh. Like Hal said, I should have volunteered to hand wash dishes in perpetuity.

 

[kwired]

The pump itself probably only holds a small amount of water but the drain tubing comes out of the bottom of the machine, makes a "high loop" before it drains into waste line beneath sink. I don't have a good way to drain that tubing, and I believe the bottom half of it before the loop will still have water, therefore, I will have to get the pump to pump some antifreeze into it for at least part of a cycle.
Sigh. Like Hal said, I should have volunteered to hand wash dishes in perpetuity.

That "high loop" is why the pump can't expel all the water, but unless there is a check valve involved it will fall back to the sump after the pump shuts down.

This is necessary when connected directly to premises waste lines as it serves the same purpose as a P trap does in other drains.

Though you didn't mention it you do have similar problem with the P traps in your other drains if temp goes below freezing, need to pour a little antifreeze in those as well.

 

[rjniles]

Same issue with the clothes washer in my unheated lake cabin. Pour about a quart of RV antifreeze down the drain hose, another quart in the tub. Never had an issue. Run a short cycle in the spring to clean out the antifreeze.

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X606F using Tapatalk

 

[kwired]

Same issue with the clothes washer in my unheated lake cabin. Pour about a quart of RV antifreeze down the drain hose, another quart in the tub. Never had an issue. Run a short cycle in the spring to clean out the antifreeze.

Sent from my Lenovo TB-X606F using Tapatalk

Nothing wrong with using a quart, but I bet you can get by with less antifreeze than that and it still wouldn't freeze if it got to say -10F in the room.

Times I have worked on washers there usually isn't even a quart of water to drain out of them when you take the drain hose off. Might seem like 10 gallons to the wife if you take it apart in the house and it spills on the floor, but it isn't really very much.

 

[retirede]

Nothing wrong with using a quart, but I bet you can get by with less antifreeze than that and it still wouldn't freeze if it got to say -10F in the room.

Times I have worked on washers there usually isn't even a quart of water to drain out of them when you take the drain hose off. Might seem like 10 gallons to the wife if you take it apart in the house and it spills on the floor, but it isn't really very much.

You’re correct, but based on my experience winterizing my pool house, the tendency is to “pour in a little extra” antifreeze. I sleep better when I use the whole gallon (about $4) on three traps!

 

[flashlight]

You’re correct, but based on my experience winterizing my pool house, the tendency is to “pour in a little extra” antifreeze. I sleep better when I use the whole gallon (about $4) on three traps!

Up until now, I have been using a gallon for 3 traps plus toilet and some in toilet tank which annoyingly retains about 3 inches of water when fully flushed. Now I have dishwasher and soon washing machine to worry about.

Rjniles, will antifreeze get into pump of washer if I just pour into drum, or do I need to run a partial cycle ?

 

[rnatalie]

I like the RV antifreeze...no issues if power goes off. Usually runs $3.00 a gallon.

Actually, around here periodically, the no-name stuff goes on sale for like $1/gal at Walmart. I grab a bunch to do my boat on years I don't pull it inside.

 

[winnie]

Be sure to check the small print.

Some of the stuff is full strength, some prediluted with water.

Jon

 

[GoldDigger]

Up until now, I have been using a gallon for 3 traps plus toilet and some in toilet tank which annoyingly retains about 3 inches of water when fully flushed. Now I have dishwasher and soon washing machine to worry about.

Rjniles, will antifreeze get into pump of washer if I just pour into drum, or do I need to run a partial cycle ?

All the ones I know start each cycle with drain operation, so collect mixture pumped out to pour back in.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[retirede]

Up until now, I have been using a gallon for 3 traps plus toilet and some in toilet tank which annoyingly retains about 3 inches of water when fully flushed. Now I have dishwasher and soon washing machine to worry about.

Rjniles, will antifreeze get into pump of washer if I just pour into drum, or do I need to run a partial cycle ?

I use my shop vac to empty that last 3”.

In fact, I use the shop vac in exhaust mode to blow the water out of the traps before I dump in the antifreeze.

 

[kwired]

All the ones I know start each cycle with drain operation, so collect mixture pumped out to pour back in.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Dishwashers often do that, clothes washers typically don't from my observation.

 

[kwired]

I use my shop vac to empty that last 3”.

In fact, I use the shop vac in exhaust mode to blow the water out of the traps before I dump in the antifreeze.

Or use sponge or something to absorb that water and wring it over the bowl

 

[retirede]

Or use sponge or something to absorb that water and wring it over the bowl

I did that one year - the vac was loaned out to my son in law!

 

[tom baker]

Traffic signal lamps are rated 8,000 hours.
If you install a standard lamp, life of 800 hours, in October, it will burn out when the temps are the coldest. In my rv i blow out the water lines with an air compressor