Protect your static caravan, lodge or park home from frost damage and costly water leaks by winterising the water system before temperatures drop. This guide explains proven drain‑down options, compares two popular protection systems and gives a simple checklist so you can choose the right solution for your holiday home.
Why drain down your holiday home
Draining down removes water from pipes, appliances and tanks to prevent freezing, burst pipes and hidden leaks while the property is empty. Common risks include frost damage to external and under‑floor pipework, rodent damage to flexible hoses, and undetected leaks behind baths or in cupboards that become expensive to repair.
Simple manual drain‑down (follow your handbook)
- Check the owner’s manual for your model’s drain points and stopcock locations.
- Turn off the mains water at the site stopcock, then operate all interior and exterior taps, toilets and showers to fully drain the system.
- Open low‑point drains and undercarriage drain valves to clear remaining water.
- Leave a small trickle in isolated systems only when recommended by the manufacturer.
Advantages: low cost; no specialist equipment. Limitations: requires physical access under the holiday home and can be time-consuming.
CaraGuard Protection System
The CaraGuard system prevents accidental or unattended mains water being left on and reduces flood risk on parks with normal water pressure. It automatically isolates the external stop‑tap so water cannot flood the holiday home if someone leaves the supply on. CaraGuard is a strong option for owners who want passive protection without daily intervention, especially over holiday periods.
Benefits:
- Prevents major flood events from an open stop‑tap
- Ideal for owners who share access with family or guests
- Low maintenance once installed
Floë Induratec 868 Automated Drain‑Down
Floë Induratec 868 is an integrated, automated drain‑down system designed for quick winterising in around four minutes. Permanently fitted but removable without trace, Floë allows you to operate drain‑down from inside the property: turn off the mains, switch Floë on, then open outlets. Its automatic pressure sensing and compressor finish the job and reset between outlets. You can watch more about the benefits of Floë by clicking here.
Benefits:
- Fully controllable from inside the lodge or caravan
- Fast drain‑down; repeatable whenever you need it
- Removes reliance on external contractors
Choosing the right option
- For occasional short stays and tight budgets: use the manual drain‑down method recommended in your handbook.
- For peace of mind when multiple guests or family access the holiday home: choose CaraGuard to prevent accidental water left on.
- For frequent winter use, owners who prefer an easy internal solution or who want fast, repeatable drain‑down: consider Floë Induratec 868.
Quick winterisation checklist
- Turn off the mains and verify the parkstopcock operation
- Drain all taps, toilets, showers and external hoses
- Isolate and protect appliances (hot water cylinder, pumps) per manufacturer guidance
- Consider an automated system (CaraGuard or Floë) for ongoing peace of mind
- Book an annual plumbing check if you’re unsure
Next steps
If you’d like help choosing or installing a drain‑down system, contact our team to discuss site compatibility, supply and fitted installation. We supply and fit both CaraGuard and Floë solutions and can advise which option best suits your static caravan, lodge or park home.
To find out more about getting a draindown system fitted to your holiday home or to simply find out more, fill out our contact form today!
Simon is part of the Kendal Caravans team, helping customers compare holiday homes, lodges, touring caravans and motorhomes across the Lake District and Blackpool sales centres.
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