Cheap vodka

[R. Palaia]

Hi Peggie,Can cheap vodka be used to winterize plumbing instead of the non-toxic antifreeze?? It takes a lot of purging in the spring to get the smell of the antifreeze out of the system. I thought that alcohol might be easier.Also, in your winterizing article, item 3 says to connect the water heater inlet and outlet hoses together after draining all the water out. Why??Thanks,Roc

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It breaks down hoses and seals, gaskets etc don't like it either.If you follow the directions in the article "Fresh Water Maintenance" each spring, you'll get rid of the "plastic" taste the antifreeze leaves behind completely, along with the molds etc that create foul tasting and smelling water too.