The results are in from our latest community poll to find out how our readers drained down their holiday caravan this winter.
Our policyholders are reminded to drain down as part of our winter weather precautions between November 1st and March 15th when they’re not using their static caravan or lodge. It really is a must during the winter months to prevent things like frozen and burst pipes.
We asked readers if they drained down themselves, get the park to arrange it, or if they called in the experts. After more than 250 votes let’s see how you voted…
The drain down poll results
Surprisingly, almost half of poll voters (48 percent) told us they drained down their static caravan themselves – some after watching our handy video on how to drain down and others who have had a Floe system installed.
A further 30 percent said they asked their park to arrange the all-important winter drain down and almost a fifth (19 per cent) called in the experts.
Just two per cent of those who voted haven’t drained down as they’re staying in their caravan this winter.
Your drain down comments
Lawrence Evans has owned a static caravan for approximately 45 years and said he had always done his drain downs.
Dave Greenwood also drains down his static caravan himself.
“Start with turning the water off, take drain taps off from underneath the caravan, turn all taps on inside the caravan, flush the toilet then put antifreeze in cistern and toilet and all sinks and shower, cover boiler with old bed quilt, after taking a small nipple off to allow any water to escape.”
Brian Dawe said: “After the caravan has drained “naturally” I connect a simple adapter I have made up and use a car tyre compressor to blow out the remaining water. This I believe is important as the shower appears to have “non-return” valves fitted which will impede free drainage, plus the usual antifreeze etc. This takes less than half an hour to do.”
We agree it’s a good idea to blow residual water out of the pipes.
Some static caravan owners told us that they’ve had an automatic drain-down system installed to make draining down quick and easy.
Margaret Ellis was one of them and said they can drain down whenever they need to.
Graham Smith has installed the Floe 868 drain down system: “My park is open 11.5 months so I still use it in winter,” said Graham. “The Floe allows me to drain down as many times as I like. My park wants £170.”
Dave Hogg also had the Floe system installed by a professional: “We now do the drain down ourselves.”
Maurice Latimer gets the park to arrange the draining of his static caravan: “For £65 it’s so easy for the park to drain it down and then reconnect everything in March, plus, if something goes wrong it’s the park’s fault and I am covered by the insurance company.”
As well as draining down, other steps to take to prepare your static caravan for winter include lagging any exposed pipes, placing moisture traps around the caravan to help reduce damp, removing food to help keep vermin away, clearing debris from the guttering and checking seams and seals for damage.
Let us know what you make of the drain down poll results in the comments box below.
With cost of living crisis I’m not surprised that many people try it themselves. I use compressed air to blow out each hot and cold pipe work route in turn via the taps and drain. One word of caution I would offer is to ensure that the air compressor does t pressurise above the design pressure of the water system. I’ve fitted a safety valve to my schrader valve adapter to ensure air pressure cannot exceed 2.5 bar.