Winterizing Your Seaward Products Water Heater
Winterizing your fresh water system is an essential procedure that will maintain the life and longevity
of your Seaward Products water heater and fresh water tanks. To ensure that your fresh water
system has adequate protection for winter storage, use the following recommended winterizing
procedure.
Winterizing the Water Heater and Fresh Water System
1. Locate the fresh water tank drain valve or plug and allow the fresh water tanks to drain until
approximately 115% to 120% of the water heater capacity remains in the tanks.
Example: If water heater is 11 gallons = 12 to 13 gallons in fresh water tanks.
2. Treat the remaining fresh water left in the fresh water tanks with “Winterizing Chemicals”.
Winterizing chemicals are non-toxic antifreeze that is a propylene-glycol base and are safe for
potable water systems.
NOTICE
DO NOT USE THE TYPE OF ANTI-FREEZE THAT IS USED TO WINTERIZE
AUTOMOBILES. THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS.
NOTICE
Antifreeze can be very corrosive to the anode rod. The result will be accelerated
deterioration of the rod and heavy sediment in the tank. If you intend to winterize by
adding antifreeze into the system and your water heater is equipped with an anode,
remove the anode rod (storing it for the winter) and replace it with a 3/4" male pipe
thread drain plug
.
3. Turn off 120V or 240V AC power.
4. Turn on fresh water pump.
5. Open each faucet and water outlet one at a time until winterizing chemical is apparent at the
opening.
6. Turn off fresh water pump and leave all faucets and water outlets open over winter.
7. Locate the water heater drain and pressure relief valve and allow all water to drain from water
heater until empty. Leave water heater drain and pressure relief valve open over winter.
CAUTION
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS MUST BE USED WHEN DRAINING AND FILLING AN ELECTRIC
WATER HEATER. ELECTRICITY MUST BE TURNED OFF BEFORE DRAINING AND
REFILLING WATER HEATER TANKS.
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