First time opening island house

[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 :)

[thinkxingu]

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.

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[Slickcraft]

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]

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]

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.

:look:

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[MAXUM]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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.