Unplanned Porcelain Stress Test

DrRod · Nov 20, 2014

Greetings,

So every fall we drain the water out of our cabin and shut off the power. We always put some RV antifreeze in each drain and in the potty. I had my son do this for the first time this year. So when we get home I said -- wow, its going to be really cold there next week, I'm glad we put the antifreeze in. And he replied -- yep, put it in and flushed it down. Not exactly executed according to plan.

So I can get back there first of next week but meanwhile it has been below freezing day and night for maybe 4 of the last 6 days and will continue as such until Monday.

We have always put antifreeze in and even at that I have arrived to find the potty with ice in it. So the question is: how tough is semi-modern porcelain? Will it take a little pressure from some frozen water? Or should I arrange to have the plumber meet me there upon arrival?

As always, your comments are appreciated.

dave1949 · Nov 20, 2014

If it is cracked, whatever would happen has happened. You could have some water here and there, or drained through the floor.

I would take some antifreeze along, hope for the best. If it broke, pick it up, mop it up, plug the sewer pipe with a ball of rags or whatever and wait for spring.

Replacing a toilet is not a difficult or long process.

ozley · Nov 20, 2014

DrRod said:
Greetings, So every fall we drain the water out of our cabin and shut off the power. We always put some RV antifreeze in each drain and in the potty. I had my son do this for the first time this year. So when we get home I said -- wow, its going to be really cold there next week, I'm glad we put the antifreeze in. And he replied -- yep, put it in and flushed it down. Not exactly executed according to plan. So I can get back there first of next week but meanwhile it has been below freezing day and night for maybe 4 of the last 6 days and will continue as such until Monday. We have always put antifreeze in and even at that I have arrived to find the potty with ice in it. So the question is: how tough is semi-modern porcelain? Will it take a little pressure from some frozen water? Or should I arrange to have the plumber meet me there upon arrival? As always, your comments are appreciated.

I would just bring a new toilet with you. A toilet can break by a slammed seat at 33,000 pounds per square inch porcelain can't win.