RV Water Heater Bypass Systems
The Water Heater Bypass is used when winterizing the water system. It is a series of valves or a single lever valve that allows the water flow to be shut off from the water heater and still be pumped to the rest of the hot water piping. This eliminates the need to fill the water heater tank with 6 gallons of winterizing antifreeze ... the tank is bypassed and then drained of water. See for complete RV winterizing instructions - with pictures!
Quick Tip:When turning your bypass valves, remember that the valve is OPENwhen the handle is inline (parallel) with the water pipe, and CLOSEDwhen the handle is turned sideways (perpendicular) to the pipe.
⚠️ CRITICAL WARNING
Before bypassing or draining your water heater, turn off the 120V electric heating element switch(usually located outside on the face of the water heater, or on your inside control panel). If this element is turned on while the tank is empty, it will burn out and melt in less than 10 seconds.
Three Valve System
Normal Flow Setting
Bypass Setting
Two Valve System
Normal Flow Setting
Bypass Mode
One Valve System
Normal Flow Setting
🔧 Tech Tip: The Hidden Check Valve
One-valve systems rely on a one-way check valve on the hot water outlet to prevent antifreeze from backing into the tank. If you suddenly lose hot water pressure in your RV, the plastic internals of this check valve have likely shattered and it needs to be replaced!
Bypass Mode
