Learning how to drain down a static caravan is something every owner needs to master before the temperature starts to drop. Let's be honest, nobody actually enjoys crawling around under their van in the damp, but it's a whole lot better than arriving back in the spring to find your holiday home has turned into an indoor swimming pool. If you've ever seen the damage a burst pipe can do to a static caravan, you'll know why this isn't a job you can afford to skip or do half-heartedly.
Most insurance companies are pretty strict about this, too. If you don't follow a proper winterisation process, they might just shrug their shoulders when you try to make a claim for flood damage. So, grab some old clothes, a pair of pliers, and maybe a torch, because we're going to walk through exactly how to get your caravan bone-dry and ready for the big freeze.
Why Draining Down Matters So Much
It's easy to think that a bit of frost won't hurt, but water is a powerful thing when it turns to ice. As it freezes, it expands, and since plastic and copper pipes don't have much "give," they simply split. The real nightmare happens when the ice melts. The water starts flowing again, often behind walls or under floors where you can't see it, soaking into the insulation and the chipboard flooring. By the time you notice the smell of damp or a soft patch in the floor, the damage is already done and the repair bill is astronomical.
Beyond the pipes, you've got the boiler to think about. Replacing a heat exchanger because it cracked in January is an expensive mistake that's entirely preventable. A good drain down protects your investment and gives you peace of mind while you're tucked up warm in your permanent home during the winter months.
Getting Your Tools Ready
Before you start pulling plugs and turning valves, make sure you have everything you need. You don't want to be halfway through the job and realise you're missing something crucial. You'll generally need:
- A set of adjustable spanners or pliers.
- A screwdriver (usually a cross-head).
- A few litres of non-toxic antifreeze (specifically for caravans/RV systems).
- A bowl or bucket.
- A bit of old rag or some kitchen roll.
- An air compressor (optional, but it makes the job much more effective).
Once you've got your gear together, it's time to get started.
Step 1: Shut Off the Main Supply
First things first: you need to stop any more water from entering the caravan. Head to the external stopcock, which is usually located underneath the caravan or in a small pit nearby. Turn it off completely. If you're on a park where the water stays on all winter, this is your first line of defence.
Once the main valve is shut, it's a good idea to disconnect the hose that connects the mains to your caravan if you can. This prevents any water trapped in that external pipe from freezing and causing a blockage or a split right at the entrance to your van.
Step 2: Open the Drain Valves
Now for the part where you might get a bit wet. Underneath your static caravan, you'll find several drain valves. These are usually the lowest points of the pipework and often look like small plastic or brass taps or even just ends of pipes with a screw-on cap.
Place a bucket underneath them and open them up. You should hear the satisfying sound of water glugging out. Don't be surprised if the water keeps coming for a while; there's more in those pipes than you might think. If you have a larger caravan with an en-suite or a complex plumbing layout, you might have four or five of these valves scattered around, so make sure you find every single one.
Step 3: Open All the Taps
Head back inside the caravan and open every single tap. This includes the kitchen sink, the bathroom basin, and the shower. Make sure you move the mixers to the middle position so both the hot and cold lines are open.
By opening the taps, you're breaking the vacuum in the pipes, which allows the rest of the water to flow out through the drain valves you opened earlier. It's like putting your finger over the end of a straw and then letting go. If you don't open the taps, water can stay "stuck" in the pipes, even with the drain valves open.
Don't Forget the Shower
The shower is a common fail point. Take the shower head off the hose and lay the hose down in the bottom of the shower tray. This prevents any water from sitting in the "U" of the hose. If you leave the head hanging up, gravity will keep water trapped in the pipework behind the mixer valve, which is a prime spot for frost damage.
Step 4: The Toilet Routine
Toilets are notorious for holding onto water. Start by flushing the toilet until the cistern is as empty as possible. You'll never get every drop out just by flushing, so you might need to use a sponge or an old cloth to soak up the remaining water at the bottom of the tank.
As for the bowl, you can't drain that completely because of the U-bend. This is where your antifreeze comes in. Pour a healthy dose of non-toxic antifreeze into the toilet bowl. This will mix with the remaining water and prevent it from freezing solid and cracking the porcelain.
Step 5: Dealing with the Boiler
This is the part that makes people nervous, and if you aren't confident, it might be worth paying a professional to do this bit. Most modern static caravan boilers have a specific drain-down plug. Consult your manual to find it.
You'll usually need to unscrew a small plug or open a valve to let the water out of the internal tank and the heat exchanger. Keep your bucket handy! Once the water has finished draining, I usually like to leave the plug out (putting it in a safe place like the kitchen drawer) so that any residual moisture can evaporate.
Step 6: Emptying the Appliances
If you're lucky enough to have a washing machine or a dishwasher in your static, these need attention too. These machines have pumps and hoses that hold quite a bit of water.
For a washing machine, run a short "drain" cycle if the power is still on, or manually drain it using the filter flap at the bottom. For a dishwasher, check the manual for the best way to clear the salt reservoir and the pump. If you leave water in these, the plastic housings will almost certainly crack when it freezes.
Step 7: The "Blow Out" Method
If you want to be 100% sure you've got every drop out, using an air compressor is the way to go. You can buy "drain down kits" that allow you to plug a small compressor into your tap or a dedicated valve.
By blowing air through the system, you'll see a surprising amount of "mist" and spray come out of the drain valves. It's often that last half-cup of water stuck in a bend that causes the most trouble, and air is the only thing that's going to shift it.
Step 8: Antifreeze the Drains
Now that the pipes are clear, you need to think about the traps—those U-shaped pipes under your sinks and shower. These are designed to hold water to stop smells coming up from the drains, but that water will freeze.
Pour some antifreeze down every drain: the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, and the shower. You don't need gallons of the stuff, just enough to displace the water sitting in the trap.
Final Checks and Finishing Up
Before you lock up and head home for the winter, do a quick walk-through.
- Are all the taps left open? (This is important; don't close them!)
- Is the gas turned off at the bottles or the main valve?
- Is the electricity turned off at the main consumer unit?
- Have you emptied the fridge and left the door propped open? (Trust me, you do not want to see what happens to a closed fridge after three months of no power).
It's also a good idea to leave your cupboard doors and wardrobes open to allow air to circulate. This helps prevent that musty "winter" smell from taking hold.
Wrapping It Up
And that's pretty much it. Learning how to drain down a static caravan isn't exactly a fun hobby, but it's a vital part of being a responsible owner. It usually takes about an hour once you know what you're doing, and those sixty minutes can save you thousands of pounds and a massive headache come springtime.
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed the first time you do it, don't be afraid to ask a neighbour or the park warden for a bit of advice—most caravan folk are more than happy to help a newcomer. Once you've done it a couple of times, it'll just become another part of your end-of-season routine. Safe travels, and here's to a worry-free winter!