First time opening island house

nhjenny · 04-16-2016, 09:42 PM

We will be opening our house for the first time tomorrow. Just bought it last summer. When we closed it, we used non toxic anti freeze in the pipes, washer, drains, etc. This is maybe a stupid question, but one we forgot to ask the previous owners. When we turn the water on, what do we do with the antifreeze? I assume that putting it in a septic system is not a good idea. Help please

thinkxingu · 04-16-2016, 11:01 PM

Just run the system(s) like normal. It'll take a little time to clear totally out of the system, so bring bottled water for the first weekend.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

Slickcraft · 04-17-2016, 06:00 AM

Agree, just get the water in and operate normally. Of course getting the water in can be a task if you have to deal with priming a pump.

Descant · 04-17-2016, 11:19 AM

I agree with the above. Run the water awhile if you are concerned about the taste of non-toxic anti-freeze. I'm told drinking it won't hurt you. Mostly, we drain pipes as opposed to pumping antifreeze through the system, so the total amount of anti-freeze is very small going into the septic system. We've never had a problem with anti-freeze going into the septic.
Our septic system was built in the early 80's, and gets pumped every 10 years or so. Mostly weekend use, and overbuilt for the occupancy level so we don't pump as often as we would on the mainland/year round house. When we do pump, we get a few neighbors to do the same so we can split the cost of barging the pump truck out to the island.

ApS · 04-17-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nhjenny

We will be opening our house for the first time tomorrow. Just bought it last summer. When we closed it, we used non toxic anti freeze in the pipes, washer, drains, etc. This is maybe a stupid question, but one we forgot to ask the previous owners. When we turn the water on, what do we do with the antifreeze? I assume that putting it in a septic system is not a good idea. Help please

Don't drain it into the septic system. Use an outdoor spigot to drain it on the ground. Run it about five minutes. If you put antifreeze in the water heater (as I do), drain the water heater using a hose to direct the flow outdoors.

.

MAXUM · 04-17-2016, 10:04 PM

I use the same non-tox stuff when I winterize my place and never worry about it. I blow out all my supply lines with the compressor so the only place I have antifreeze is the drains. I just clear them all once I have the water up and running, and before I leave after opening up I throw septic treatment into my system to keep the bacteria count up. In fact I treat mine about every mid season and once before I shut down. I was pumped out a couple years ago for the first time since I owned my place and everything appeared to be normal.

CaptT820 · 04-18-2016, 12:35 PM

This may be a dumb question, but why don't folks use a hydrant style connection from the house to where the water line goes into the ground and then bury the waterline 4-feet down (minimum) to the lake? If this was done, all you have to do is shut the tap off when you leave and it takes care of itself. We have a camp we just acquired last fall and the waterline is right at the ground surface with no effort to bury it. I don't really understand this. It cuts your season down by at least two months worrying about the waterline freezing up.

Thanks

ishoot308 · 04-18-2016, 01:04 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about non toxic RV antifreeze, the water will flush it right out of your system and its harmless to your septic.

I would however make certain that you use an oil less compressor when blowing out your lines in the fall. You will contaminate your water lines if you use a compressor that utilizes oil. Learned that the hard way from my motorhome days!

Dan

SIKSUKR · 04-18-2016, 02:53 PM

If its proplylene glycol its safe to drink and put in your septic.Its FDA approved for food and beverage contact.
http://www.splashwash.com/product/antifreeze/rv-marine/

Twox48 · 04-19-2016, 11:36 AM

All good info above but the one thing I will add is (and don't ask how I know!

) be sure to run your washing machine a couple cycles without clothes before you turn your underwear & tee shirts a pretty shade of pink!! That red R/V antifreeze WILL stain your clothes.

The Real BigGuy · 04-19-2016, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptT820

This may be a dumb question, but why don't folks use a hydrant style connection from the house to where the water line goes into the ground and then bury the waterline 4-feet down (minimum) to the lake? If this was done, all you have to do is shut the tap off when you leave and it takes care of itself. We have a camp we just acquired last fall and the waterline is right at the ground surface with no effort to bury it. I don't really understand this. It cuts your season down by at least two months worrying about the waterline freezing up.

Thanks

One of the issues you find on Winni islands is that there are a lot of boulders between the surface and 4 feet down. No hand digging here. My run is +/- 75 ft and the cost to get equipment to the island to do the excavation, backfill, and move/dispose of the boulders would be huge.

If/when my pump fails I might give it a serious look only because the idea of putting a deep well pump at the end of my dock (+/- 20ft) and getting rid of the priming issue is intriguing to me.

Joebon · 04-19-2016, 05:34 PM

The antifreeze in the trap of the washing machine doesn't get drained in one cycle?

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Dad sold the C * C · 04-19-2016, 08:55 PM

I run the washing machine on rinse two times, then wash old towels or rags.

As for CaptT820’s question: our shutoff is buried below the frost line but the antifreeze is for the toilet and traps as you still want liquid in the traps to block sewer gasses. Also it's hard to fully empty the washer and dishwasher.

04-16-2016, 09:42 PM	#1
nhjenny Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 16 Thanks: 9 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	First time opening island house We will be opening our house for the first time tomorrow. Just bought it last summer. When we closed it, we used non toxic anti freeze in the pipes, washer, drains, etc. This is maybe a stupid question, but one we forgot to ask the previous owners. When we turn the water on, what do we do with the antifreeze? I assume that putting it in a septic system is not a good idea. Help please

04-17-2016, 11:19 AM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,432 Thanks: 1,371 Thanked 1,645 Times in 1,074 Posts	Non-toxic I agree with the above. Run the water awhile if you are concerned about the taste of non-toxic anti-freeze. I'm told drinking it won't hurt you. Mostly, we drain pipes as opposed to pumping antifreeze through the system, so the total amount of anti-freeze is very small going into the septic system. We've never had a problem with anti-freeze going into the septic. Our septic system was built in the early 80's, and gets pumped every 10 years or so. Mostly weekend use, and overbuilt for the occupancy level so we don't pump as often as we would on the mainland/year round house. When we do pump, we get a few neighbors to do the same so we can split the cost of barging the pump truck out to the island.

04-18-2016, 12:35 PM	#7
CaptT820 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 122 Thanks: 86 Thanked 46 Times in 27 Posts	NO Antifreeze This may be a dumb question, but why don't folks use a hydrant style connection from the house to where the water line goes into the ground and then bury the waterline 4-feet down (minimum) to the lake? If this was done, all you have to do is shut the tap off when you leave and it takes care of itself. We have a camp we just acquired last fall and the waterline is right at the ground surface with no effort to bury it. I don't really understand this. It cuts your season down by at least two months worrying about the waterline freezing up. Thanks

04-18-2016, 01:04 PM	#8
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 6,333 Thanks: 2,409 Thanked 5,329 Times in 2,081 Posts	I wouldn't worry too much about non toxic RV antifreeze, the water will flush it right out of your system and its harmless to your septic. I would however make certain that you use an oil less compressor when blowing out your lines in the fall. You will contaminate your water lines if you use a compressor that utilizes oil. Learned that the hard way from my motorhome days! Dan __________________ It's Always Sunny On Welch Island!! Last edited by ishoot308; 04-18-2016 at 04:47 PM.

04-18-2016, 02:53 PM	#9
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	If its proplylene glycol its safe to drink and put in your septic.Its FDA approved for food and beverage contact. http://www.splashwash.com/product/antifreeze/rv-marine/ __________________ SIKSUKR

04-16-2016, 11:01 PM	#2
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,364 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,114 Times in 1,308 Posts	Just run the system(s) like normal. It'll take a little time to clear totally out of the system, so bring bottled water for the first weekend. Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

The Following User Says Thank You to thinkxingu For This Useful Post:
nhjenny (04-19-2016)

04-17-2016, 06:00 AM	#3
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,322 Thanks: 1,238 Thanked 2,111 Times in 963 Posts	Agree, just get the water in and operate normally. Of course getting the water in can be a task if you have to deal with priming a pump.

The Following User Says Thank You to Descant For This Useful Post:
nhjenny (04-19-2016)

04-17-2016, 10:04 PM	#6
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	I use the same non-tox stuff when I winterize my place and never worry about it. I blow out all my supply lines with the compressor so the only place I have antifreeze is the drains. I just clear them all once I have the water up and running, and before I leave after opening up I throw septic treatment into my system to keep the bacteria count up. In fact I treat mine about every mid season and once before I shut down. I was pumped out a couple years ago for the first time since I owned my place and everything appeared to be normal.

The Following User Says Thank You to ishoot308 For This Useful Post:
nhjenny (04-19-2016)

The Following User Says Thank You to SIKSUKR For This Useful Post:
nhjenny (04-19-2016)

04-19-2016, 11:36 AM	#10
Twox48 Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sterling, MA Posts: 46 Thanks: 16 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Watch the laundry! All good info above but the one thing I will add is (and don't ask how I know! ) be sure to run your washing machine a couple cycles without clothes before you turn your underwear & tee shirts a pretty shade of pink!! That red R/V antifreeze WILL stain your clothes.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Twox48 For This Useful Post:
ApS (04-19-2016), nhjenny (04-19-2016)

04-19-2016, 05:34 PM	#12
Joebon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 142 Thanks: 23 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	The antifreeze in the trap of the washing machine doesn't get drained in one cycle? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04-19-2016, 08:55 PM	#13
Dad sold the C * C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 273 Thanks: 119 Thanked 62 Times in 40 Posts	I run the washing machine on rinse two times, then wash old towels or rags. As for CaptT820’s question: our shutoff is buried below the frost line but the antifreeze is for the toilet and traps as you still want liquid in the traps to block sewer gasses. Also it's hard to fully empty the washer and dishwasher.