Many RVs don't handle freezing temperatures well, which can lead to frozen hoses when you're connected to the water supply. If you're planning to stay in a location that's extremely cold, insulating your water lines and valves will help...
Method 2 of 3:
Insulating the Water Valves
Put a skirt around the base of your RV to keep water lines from freezing. A skirt shields the area underneath your RV from the elements to protect any exterior water lines or valves. Use insulating foam boards around the perimeter of your RV so it doesn't get cold underneath. Make sure the foam boards fit snugly under your RV or else they won't be as effective.[7]
Keep a heat lamp in the water compartment to melt any ice. The water valves are usually located in an exterior compartment on the RV. While some of these compartments may be heated when you run your RV, they may still freeze if it gets too cold. Plug in a small space heater or heat lamp in the compartment to keep it warm or else your valves could freeze and prevent water from running through them.[8]Tip: If the valves do freeze, try pouring a small amount of hot water on them or using a heat gun to melt anything that's frozen.
Avoid dumping the water tanks until they're full. Empty water tanks are more likely to freeze and could plug the valves and hoses with ice. Close the valves on your water tanks by turning them counterclockwise so the liquid stays inside. When your tanks are filled, dump them so they are only ¼ of the way filled so they don't freeze.[9]
Use a holding tank heater if there's any risk of them freezing. Holding tank heaters are like electric blankets that keep your tanks from freezing. Plug the tank heater into your RV and drape it around the water holding tanks. Keep the heater on whenever the temperatures dip below freezing so the water doesn't solidify.[10]Method 3 of 3:
Thawing Frozen Hoses
Use a heat gun on the hose connections. Point the heat gun at the end of the hose that connects to your RV and heat it for about 5-10 minutes. Move the nozzle of the heat gun all around the hose so the ice melts. Once one end of the hose is thawed, heat the other end of your hose to melt the ice inside.[11]
Unscrew the hose from the ports on your RV and water supply. Rotate the end of your hose counterclockwise to loosen it from the port. Pull the end of the hose carefully away from the port so you don't cause any damage to them. If the hose is still difficult to disconnect, heat it up for 5 more minutes with your heat gun to thaw it out.[12]
Bring the hose inside your RV to warm it up. Once the hose is completely disconnected from the water supply, hold the ends so they're pointing up or else water could spill out. Drape the hose inside your RV's shower so the water melts and goes into the drain. Turn on the RV's heater and let all of the ice inside the hose melt so the hose is empty. The water from the melted ice will exit the hose and fall into the drain.[13]
Check the hose for damage before reattaching it. Since water expands when it freezes, it could cause the hose to stretch or burst in areas. Inspect the hose for any areas that are cracked, split, or weak to make sure it's still safe to use. If you don't find any damage, attach the hose back onto the water lines when you need more. If there is damage, you'll need to get a different hose for your water supply.
Tip: Keep a spare water hose in your RV storage compartments in case your primary hose is damaged.
Jessica TannerUpdate 24 March 2020
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