Any pertinent steps to take for a dock with water supply when it drops below freezing? I have been purging the system with an air compressor to blow out all the water, cut the water off from the source, so there is nothing but air in all the pipes. Is this necessary or are there easier ways to protect the water/pipes from cracking or leaking when it drops below freezing? Thanks in advance for any info or tips.
Just crack the spigot and let it drizzel all night.
ZX
+1 ^^^^
Fight weather with water. “Freezing” temperatures here is nature’s afterthought. A little water running through your lines is all you need. Doesn’t take much more than the tiniest steady stream. Plus being next to the water will keep your lines warmer than in other places, as the water acts as a heater. I’d bet most people never worry about their dock lines or have them freeze, but that is just a guess.
Home Depot and Lowes, etc. carry electric heat tapes for water hoses and pipes. Tape it on and cover with foam pipe insulation. Thermostat will cut on around 40 deg. It’s what I do with my motor home I live in-no problems.
I had a very similar issue when living in the Mid-Atlantic with an in ground swimming pool. Each Fall, I had to winterize the pipelines. The best and most trusted way of winterizing any water lines is removing the water. Using the air compressor the way you described will do the trick! Eliminate the culprit, you eliminate the problem!
PEX Tubing will help. i just drain mine. your way is the best. in an upstate dock i had copper pipe and in the low area it split even though i had drained it. jan
High point vent/s, low point drain/s.
Simple.
Cheap.
Foolproof.