A Few More Winterizing Questions

[Dane]

In getting into the winterizing process (Montana 2955RL) for the first time I have a few questions. Here is the situation.

After draining it; I poured four gallons of RV antifreeze into the water storage tank. Through the help I got in another recent post, I located and set the water heater to “bypass”. I opened each faucet separately, cold and then warm, until reddish water came out. This includes the kitchen sink, the bathroom sink, and the showers inside and outside. I flushed the toilet until reddish water was visible. I took an extra gallon of antifreeze and poured some solution in each drain. I put about one half gallon down the toilet. My questions follow.

Question 1 - Exactly how do I empty the hot water heater? Comments I’ve read mention removing the water heater element. What tool works best to do this? Nothing I have seems appropriate.

Another tip I’ve read follows…"go out to the city water hookup on the outside, remove the little screen and you should see a white pin on the one-way valve. Stand aside and push that pin so the water trapped in their shoots out. Otherwise it will freeze and **may** push the o-ring out of place."

Question 2 – How is this little screen best removed?

Question 3 – Am I forgetting anything else?

I know these may seem like basic questions to those accustomed to the winterizing process but I’ve learned the hard way to ask questions first and avoid tearing things up. As always, your help and advice will be greatly appreciated.