Winterizing cabin -- which antifreeze

[DrRod]

For years, we have used RV antifreeze to prevent freezing in drain traps and toilets. I know not to use radiator antifreeze as it will kill all the good bacteria in the septic system. But today I noticed there is a choice of RV antifreeze at Home Depot:

a]. Ethyl Alcohol [$2.98]
b]. PG Formula and Glycerin Free [$4.98]

Both are rated to -50 degrees.

Is there any problem in using Glycerin or is there some other reason to go with PG Formula?

 

[farmeratheart]

As I understand it, propylene glycol ppg that contains glycerine aka glycerol is a byproduct of the biodiesel refinement process. Supposedly it has a distinct odor. “Normal” ppg which uses propylene oxide as raw material is nearly odorless. For the purposes of drain/trap antifreeze, the claim of glycerin free is simply marketing to justify the increased cost ?

I’m pretty sure I paid about $3.50 for a gallon of ppg RV antifreeze to close up our place last month from Wallyworld.

 

[fitter1]

Washer fluid.

 

[user.69169]

Traps freeze because not blown out before adding antifreeze.
Glycerin is an alcohol.
Neutralize come Spring and septic shock not happen. Feed septic yeast before winterising, it can die off over months of nonuse. Solids settle and no digestion happens.

 

[DrRod]

Washer fluid.

We do use some washer fluid if the lows stay in the mid 20's or better but we have found the toilet tank can get a bit slushy at lower temperatures since the inevitable bit of remaining waster dilutes it.

 

[Otto Syracuse]

I shop vac out the toilet bowl and add RV antifreeze then. Does not slush up anymore.

 

[caver]

Plastic jug vodka?? No?

 

[old and tired]

I shop vac out the toilet bowl and add RV antifreeze then. Does not slush up anymore.

thanks for that idea...

 

[Otto Syracuse]

thanks for that idea...

You’re welcome. I think I read about it in Cottage Life magazine or something like that.

 

[DrRod]

Yeah, that is a good idea.

Thanks

 

[grsthegreat]

i was hooking up a new septic system nightmare controller last month and the contractor wanted to winterize the effluent line out to the field for the winter as owners were not going to start using it until next year. this particular system has to be pressure tested and flow/drip rate tested prior to being placed into operation. the Health District supervisor would not let contractor use rv antifreeze as they say it will kill bacteria in septic field....not sure if thats true, but thats what they say. but since the lines were filled with water, and not septic effluent, they will freeze and crack. he ended up cutting lines and draining system. really sucks.

ive used regular rv antifreeze for years in my RV, but that never ended up in my septic system. im not sure if its even rated for septic system use.....inquiring minds want to know

what ever happened to easy septic pumps.

 

[DrRod]

We were always told not to use radiator antifreeze [like Peak] in the system because it would kill all the bacteria. That's why we used RV antifreeze. I'm not a chemist but I have to question the position of the HD supervisor.