Draining the Water System for Winter Storage
If you plan to store your Bailey motorhome during the winter months, it is important to drain down the water system to prevent damage caused by freezing.
Water left in pipes, tanks, or heating systems can freeze in cold temperatures, expand, and cause costly damage to components.
Water left in pipes, tanks, or heating systems can freeze in cold temperatures, expand, and cause costly damage to components.
Step 1: Turn Off the Water Pump
- Start by switching off the water pump at the control panel.
Step 2: Open All Taps
- Open all taps inside the motorhome, including both the hot and cold sides
- Leave them in the middle position so that both hot and cold water pipes can drain
- Also, open the shower mixer to allow any remaining water in the shower hose to empty
Step 3: Drain the Fresh-Water Tank
- Locate the freshwater drain valve underneath the motorhome
- Open the valve and allow the tank to empty
Step 4: Drain the Waste-Water Tank
- Next, open the wastewater tank drain valve
- Allow the grey-water tank to empty fully at an appropriate drainage point
- Leaving the valve open during storage can help ensure no water remains trapped in the tank
Step 5: Toilet Flush System
- Before storing the motorhome, also empty any remaining in the toilet flush, and check that the cassette is empty.
Draining the Water Heater: Alde System
- If your motorhome has an Alde wet heating system, the hot water tank must be drained as well
- Locate the Alde boiler drain valve, typically positioned near the boiler unit
- Open the valve and allow the hot water tank to empty fully
- Remember that the Alde heating system itself contains glycol heating fluid, which should not be drained as part of winterisation. Only the fresh water side of the system needs to be emptied
Final Checks
Before leaving the motorhome in storage:
- Ensure all tanks are fully drained
- Leave taps open in the middle position
- Confirm the boiler drain valve is open
- Check that the loo (both the flush and cassette) are empty
Taking these steps will help protect your motorhome’s plumbing system during cold weather.
Jump to:
- Beginners Guide to Motorhoming – Homepage
- 01. How to load your motorhome
- 02. How to use your motorhome cab: Ford
- 03. How to use your motorhome cab: Peugeot
- 04. Arriving on site: How to level your motorhome
- 05. Arriving on site: Electrical system
- 06. Arriving on site: Gas system
- 07. Arriving on site: Water system
- 08. Arriving on site: How to set up your Truma or Alde heating system
- 09. Arriving on site: Toilet cassette
- 10. Arriving on site: Fridge
- 11. Arriving on site: Hob, oven and grill
- 12. Arriving on site: TV aerial
- 13. Arriving on site: How to set up your wind out awning
- 14. How to troubleshoot the electrical system in your motorhome
- 15. Draining the Water System for Winter Storage
- 16. Glossary
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