Community Forums

billgr · 08-23-2018, 09:58 AM

Hello...I am currently at a campground in Mid-Coast Maine and seem to be plagued with a fine sand in the aerator on our kitchen sink. I installed a new standard blue CAMCO disposable filter inline after my pressure regulator upon arrival about 2 months ago and have replaced the cartridge in the large basement filter but I am still getting a fine gray sand in the aerator & a reduced flow in my recently replaced faucet spray head.

My neighbors do not seem to have any similar problems.

Does anybody know what is in the blue CAMCO filters...gray sand?

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance,

billgr (Bill Graham)
03 Lexus GX470 pushing our 09 Monaco Camelot 40QDP

BFlinn181 · 08-23-2018, 11:49 AM

Real sand will destroy faucets and other valves in the water system. I worked at a geology field station ranch that had water supply problems and sand kept getting pumped into the system. it ruined many faucets and water bottles with the abrasive sand particles. Are you sure it's sand (silicate) or just mineral deposits? (calcium) Silicate sand is quite hard and abrasive, while calcium mineral deposits will dissolve in vinegar. If sand, I'd find a filter that traps it before it enters the RV. If mineral deposits, either use bottled water or install a water softener or reverse osmosis system.

Have you cleaned your water heater out with vinegar? The fact that others on the same water system aren't having issues points to a water heater full of mineral deposits.

Skip Y · 08-23-2018, 01:40 PM

Try replacing the anode in the water heater. It could be at end of life and have left particles in the WH, then FLUSH the heater and the hot water system after removing the aerator(s).

Skip Y
2010 Journey 40TD, 2015 Equinox
WIT 47083, FMCA 263635

saddlesore · 08-23-2018, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Y

Try replacing the anode in the water heater. It could be at end of life and have left particles in the WH, then FLUSH the heater and the hot water system after removing the aerator(s).

Skip Y
2010 Journey 40TD, 2015 Equinox
WIT 47083, FMCA 263635

X2 !

BFlinn181 · 08-23-2018, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Y

Try replacing the anode in the water heater. It could be at end of life and have left particles in the WH, then FLUSH the heater and the hot water system after removing the aerator(s).

Skip Y
2010 Journey 40TD, 2015 Equinox
WIT 47083, FMCA 263635

Only Suburban WH have or need anodes, Atwood WH do not, but both could use a vinegar soak when flushing it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=glMONvI_rhE

DENSHER · 08-23-2018, 09:41 PM

The blue Camco filters have charcoal in them. The first hooking up a new one, run some water through it first before connecting to the motor home because they will spew some residue left over from manufacturing. Found that out the hard way with first one I used but luckily I opened the cold side on kitchen faucet to purge air from the lines and only got a black spot in the sink to clean up and clean out the aerator on the faucet.

txcpl · 08-24-2018, 03:13 AM

Your description leads me to believe that you are most likely experiencing mineral deposits not sand. AS mentioned above, your best bet is to start with the water heater and drain it and flush it. If it is a Suburban, when you remove the water heater plug, you will find it is connected to an anode rod, which probably needs replacing. If it is an Atwood brand, when you remove the plug, there will not be an anode rod attached, and a good flushing is in order. There are a number of good tube videos which will take you step by step in flushing out the water heater.

You didn't mention how long it has been since replacing the whole house filter, so it may need replacing at this time. Check the cartridge and holder for sand. If none is found, then most likely your "sand" is mineral deposits which have broken free and are starting to clog your aerators.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you find.

marjoa · 08-24-2018, 06:03 AM

It's not sand it's magnesium & calcium build up in your HWH, lines, faucets and everything else. These particles tell me you haven't been maintaining these systems as often as you should be and you also don't have a portable water softener. Hard water is a killer of RV's plumbing systems. Better take this seriously and do both soon or expect some big expenses and problems in your near future.

A neighbor of ours a few months ago ignored this advice and wound up with $4,500 in plumbing re-do's and repairs shortly thereafter and then decided a water softener was a good idea after all. Would of prevented all the grief.

After you do these things, change all water filters every 3 months of use.

BFlinn181 · 08-24-2018, 09:25 AM

If your 'sand' is mineral deposits, then it should be coming from the hot faucet, not the cold. Try running hot water into a coffee filter or paper towel for a couple of minutes, then do the same with cold water in a new filter. I think you'll find the deposits are mostly coming from the hot water, verifying the water heater tank needs a flush and vinegar soak.

billgr · 08-24-2018, 09:26 AM

Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I should have noted that our coach has an Aqua-Hot system & hence no tank or anode that I am aware of. I am going to replace the Camco filter today with a new one & I will try & back flush my pressure regulator to see if that affects the reduced flow situation.

tcg · 08-24-2018, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgr

Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I should have noted that our coach has an Aqua-Hot system & hence no tank or anode that I am aware of. I am going to replace the Camco filter today with a new one & I will try & back flush my pressure regulator to see if that affects the reduced flow situation.

If it's showing up in your aerator and not the screen/filter on your water hose/pressure regulator that would tell you it's being introduced from your plumbing.

If it's showing up at the screen on the water hose outside the RV then that would tell you it's coming from the park water supply.

If it's coming from the park water supply then a new exterior water filter should solve the problem.

BFlinn181 · 08-24-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgr

Thanks to all for your comments. I guess I should have noted that our coach has an Aqua-Hot system & hence no tank or anode that I am aware of. I am going to replace the Camco filter today with a new one & I will try & back flush my pressure regulator to see if that affects the reduced flow situation.

Disregard the 7 posts above that were about tank water heaters.

Mr_D · 08-24-2018, 09:48 AM

I'd suspect that it's charcoal drom the filter.

Ray,IN · 08-24-2018, 09:20 PM

I use a whole-house water filter at the CG spigot. I remember one winter we spent in S. Florida, after one month the filter housing was half filled with sand. Noticed it when I went to change the 5 micron filter.