Getting Water Running in Winterized Mobile

[moonspinner]

I purchased a mobile home on two acres a couple months ago and plan to move in shortly. This home was completely "shut off" over the past year - ie all the pipes drained.
It has a well with submersible pump. I've had well water in the past but have never dealt with trying to de-winterize a mobile home. If someone could give me a brief step by step plan to get the water running I'd be most grateful. I know the first step is to hook up the outside PVC pipe that runs from the kitchen. Thanks for all replies.

[JLMissouri]

There should be only one main water line going into the mobile home. A pro would test for leaks by using compressed air, a redneck like me will have someone ready to turn off the water and I will be listening for leaks while they turn the water on. Mobile homes are very sensitive to water on there particle board floors, so you want to avoid that.

CPVC isn't very resistant to freezing and when it breaks it usually cracks across a distance. A lot of water can be sprayed in not much time. I would test the line myself by blowing on the end after making sure all faucets and the toilet etc. were turned off. You should be able to detect a big leak if you cannot build up pressure by blowing on the main water line.

Hopefully they poured some kind off antifreeze into the toilet and sewer traps. Otherwise they stand a good chance of being busted as well.

[Gianni]

Get the heat established and wait until the inside temps are at least 50 F. Then connect the water line to the mobile. Open all cabinets and use a mechanics mirror to see that inside lines are intact. Turn the power off to an Elec water heater and ensure that the pilot is off on a gas one. Turn the water taps off and the valves to the toilets, then turn on the main line for 20-30 seconds. Stop and turn it off unless you see water running somewhere then turn it off immediatley. Wain a minute then turn the valve on for good. There should be no sounds of flowing water. If you hear flow find out where it is going. Turn each faucet on, cold side only, one at a time and run until you are sure that you have good flow. The tub is the best place to start as it does not have a screen and crud will not plug it up. Then do the same for the hot water, again starting at the tub. You will want to run the tub until the water heater is full so ignore spurts and gushes until you have good flowing water, at least 5 minutes for most lines. Listen again for flowing water, check the bottom of the pressure tank, water heater and water softener if equipped for leaks. If you can find the pressure tank and it hs a gauge near it, shut off the power to the pump and watch the gauge, it should remain at a steady pressure, if not there is a leak. If you have no leaks turn on service to the water heater. Check for an in line filter installed somewhere, this is rare to see but a good idea to have installed.

[agmantoo]

If you turn the water on and it is still reaching low temperatures at night and have a water leak what are you going to do? I know you can cut the inlet water off to the home but you will now have water in the plumbing and if the temperature drops more damage can happen. My suggestion is to leave the water to the home off. Close all valves/faucets except the washing machine valves. Get a pressure gauge and connect the gauge to one of the clothes washer connections. On the other connection of the clothes washer hose connect, using a bicycle pump, and pressurize the plumbing in the mobile home. Possibly you can use a washing machine hose to connect the gauge and bicycle pump to the washing machines valves. Cut the washing machine hose and use barb fittings on the cut ends of the hose. Pump the bicycle pump to get around 50 PSI. Shut the washing machine valve going the the bicycle pump. Watch the gauge to see if you can maintain pressure over night. If the pressure drops more than a few pounds you have a leak. If the pressure does not fall more than the few pounds you should be good to go and your can THEN turn the supply water to the home on. Winterizing a mobile is more difficult than you think. I would anticipate having a leak.