Are You Making These Fatal RV Winterization Mistakes? Master Techs Share What Really Works

Winter's creeping up fast here in Kentucky and Ohio, and if you're like most RV owners, you're probably thinking, "I've got time." But here's the thing, I've seen way too many folks roll into our Florence shop come spring with thousands of dollars in preventable damage because they either skipped winterization entirely or made some pretty costly mistakes.

Our master certified techs have been fixing these same errors for years, and honestly? It breaks our hearts every time. Because most of this damage is completely avoidable once you know what NOT to do.

Let me share the biggest winterization mistakes we see and what our techs recommend instead. Trust me, your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

The Antifreeze Disasters That Cost You Big

Here's mistake number one that makes our techs shake their heads every time: putting antifreeze in your water heater. I get it, when you're pumping that pink stuff through your system, it feels like everywhere should get some, right? Wrong.

Your water heater should be completely bypassed during winterization. When people pump antifreeze through the water heater, they're literally flushing 5-6 gallons of expensive RV antifreeze down the drain. But that's not even the worst part.

Come spring, you're going to taste and smell that antifreeze for weeks, maybe months. Your morning coffee? Ruined. Washing dishes? Good luck getting that chemical taste out. I've had customers tell me they couldn't use their water system for the entire first month of camping season.

The second antifreeze mistake that's just as bad? Dumping antifreeze directly into your fresh water tank. Same problem, you'll be dealing with contaminated water that tastes awful and makes everything you cook or drink taste like chemicals.

Our master techs always tell customers: "If you want to protect your fresh water system, open all the drains and let everything drain completely. Don't put antifreeze where your drinking water goes."

The Hidden Water Lines Everyone Forgets

This one gets people every single time, and it's probably the mistake that causes the most expensive spring repairs: forgetting your toilet and outdoor shower.

With the toilet, you've got to actually step on that pedal and get the pink antifreeze flowing through the entire system. Sounds obvious, right? But our techs tell me it's one of the top five things people skip. Then spring comes, and boom, water spraying everywhere when they try to flush out the system.

The outdoor shower is even easier to forget because, let's be honest, when's the last time you used it? But that shower head and those lines are sitting outside, completely exposed to freezing temperatures. Skip this step, and you're looking at burst water lines, broken shower heads, or even water damage inside your rig.

Here's what our techs do: they create a checklist and physically walk to every single water outlet, inside and outside, to make sure pink antifreeze comes out. No exceptions.

The Waste Tank Protection Nobody Talks About

Most winterization guides don't even mention this, but our master techs insist on it: protecting your gray and black water tanks.

Even after you've dumped your tanks, there's usually some liquid left in the bottom. When that freezes, it expands, and guess what happens to your tank? Cracks. And replacing waste tanks? That's not a fun conversation to have or a fun bill to pay.

The fix is super simple, just pour a few cups of RV antifreeze into each tank. Takes two minutes, costs maybe five bucks, and could save you hundreds or thousands in tank replacement.

The Blow-Out Method That Backfires

If you're using compressed air instead of antifreeze (the "blow-out method"), there's one mistake that can damage your entire plumbing system: using too much pressure.

I see this all the time. People hook up their shop compressor that's pushing 100+ PSI and think "more pressure = better job." Your RV's plumbing system wasn't built for that kind of pressure. You'll blow out seals, damage faucets, and create leaks you won't discover until spring.

Our techs keep it simple: 50 PSI max. That's plenty to push water out without destroying anything in the process.

Timing Mistakes That Make Everything Harder

Here's something that might surprise you: waiting until it's already freezing to winterize. I get it, Kentucky and Ohio weather can be unpredictable, and you want to squeeze every last camping trip out of the season.

But trying to winterize when it's already 25 degrees outside? You're setting yourself up for problems. Your antifreeze won't flow properly, you can't work efficiently with frozen hands, and you might miss steps because you're rushing to get out of the cold.

Our master techs recommend picking a nice 50-degree day in late October or early November. Take your time, do it right, and enjoy the process instead of fighting the weather.

The Storage Mistake That Damages Your RV

This one's not about plumbing, but our techs see the damage every spring: leaving your stabilizer jacks down all winter.

"But won't that keep my RV level?" Sure, but here's what happens. You get a slow tire leak over the winter (super common), your RV settles, and suddenly those stabilizer jacks are supporting the entire weight of your rig. They're not designed for that. We've seen bent jacks, damaged frames, and thousands in repair bills.

Retract those jacks once you're winterized and parked for the season.

Why Professional Winterization Makes Sense

Look, I'm not trying to scare you away from DIY winterization. Some of our best customers handle their own maintenance and do a great job. But here's what our master certified techs bring to the table that you might not have at home:

• Experience with every RV make and model. We know which systems are tricky, which components get missed, and how to adapt the process for your specific rig.

• Professional equipment. The right pressure gauges, quality antifreeze, and tools designed specifically for RV systems.

• Complete system checks. While we're winterizing, we're also looking for potential problems, loose fittings, worn seals, issues that could become expensive repairs if left alone.

Plus, when we winterize your RV, you get our warranty on the work. If something goes wrong because we missed something, we fix it. When you DIY and miss something... well, that's on you.

The Bottom Line for Kentucky & Ohio RV Owners

Here in our area, we get that unpredictable weather. One day it's 60 degrees, the next it's 20 with a hard freeze. That's exactly why proper winterization is so critical: and why these mistakes are so costly.

If you're going to winterize yourself, take your time, follow a checklist, and don't cut corners on the "little" stuff like waste tanks and outdoor fixtures. If you'd rather have professionals handle it, that's what we're here for.

Our master certified techs have seen it all, fixed it all, and they genuinely care about keeping your RV in top condition. We're not just trying to sell you services: we want you back on the road making memories, not dealing with preventable repairs.

Ready to Protect Your Investment?

Whether you need professional winterization, want advice on doing it yourself, or have questions about your specific RV setup, we're here to help. Give us a call or stop by our Florence location. Our techs love talking shop and helping fellow RV enthusiasts avoid costly mistakes.

Don't let simple winterization errors turn your spring camping dreams into repair nightmares. Reach out to us today, and let's make sure your RV is ready for whatever winter throws our way.

After all, the best winter repair is the one you never need.