Water Line Break

[bdersham]

Who’s had a internal water line break when you’re gone for a while and came back to a flooded RV?

[BFlinn181]

You've discovered the danger of leaving the city water line connected and on. If you're not in the RV, there's no need to have pressurized water in the RV, except perhaps for the ice maker. Did you have a pressure regulator connected to the hose?

This thread was about a water leak in a new Newmar while driving (with the water pump on) water onto the floor and flooding their electrical bay. It's a long story, but since the original poster suddenly went dark, I think he might have been made whole by Newmar with a non-disclosure to stop talking, but just guessing.

[ByeTheWay]

I never hook up to city water; only use my tank and pump. If I have to replace my pump more often I will, I carry a spare And I always turn it off when leaving the coach. In my stick house I turn off the water to the house when leaving.

[windsorbill]

Originally Posted by bdersham

Who’s had a internal water line break when you’re gone for a while and came back to a flooded RV?

The only time we've had a flood (minor as far as floods are concerned), was driving down the road the DW turned on the water pump to use the head. The pump went crazy and over pressurized the system in that short 2 minute period. Busted the connection behind the toilet and also an elbow in the shower wall. Very little damage because we were there, but still a PITA.

We never leave the coach with any water on, city or pump. When hooked up to CG water, I'll fill the tank, turn the hose off, and we will use the pump. I do have a good pressure regulator with a gauge that hooks up to the water service at the CG. We're kinda gun shy even with a new pump installed.

[homerbw]

We had a water leak after a cold snap. It was confusing as the water leaked down into our motor home basement from a location no where near where the leak originated. We were not sure how to get it fixed but after paying several onsite repair persons without success, I found it had originated under our refrigerator on the other side of the motor home. A regular plumber was able to fix it quickly. So the problem is not knowing you have a leak but knowing where the leak is located.

[Fiesta48]

I also had a leak that went into the electrical cabinet. Took a week to figure it out. Was a hot water line plug under the rear toilet 4 feet away. No reason for it there. Another week to fix it. Had to open the hole under the toilet so I could get 3' of socket extensions and one arm to tighten plug. Super PIA.

[bdersham]

We spent a good portion of last winter in a cold pretty climate and every time we left the RV we turned off the water. However, we got tired of trudging through snow or mud to get to the water stanchion to turn it on or off. I own a manufacturing company so I had our controls engineer build a small electrical panel to control a 12 volt DC valve that mounted on the water stanchion. Now, from a switch just inside the RV door we’re able to turn the main water on or off. I also installed a 2 color light, red or green, that flashes when the switch is activated. Red = valve closed, green = valve open. When the door is opened there’s a photo-eye that senses your presence and will activate the light when you go in or out as a reminder.

[saddlesore]

On one of our early coaches had a pressure regulator go bad while we were away..VERY high water pressure burst several pipe connections and flooded the coach..total loss..
Now only use CG/city water supply to fill the fresh tank then unhook.and use on-board 12v pump..(and I turn it off whenever we leave the coach)

[sdennislee]

As many have said, water off when you leave. I follow a check list when I'm going to be gone for an extend period. I also switch water to tank fill so if some well intentioned neighbor turns my water on for me it wont pressurize my lines it will just run out of the over flow.


1) Water heater off
2) AC or furnace set to reasonable temp
3) Awnings in
4) Satellite dish stowed
5) Water off and switched to tank fill.
6) Coffee pot off
7) Gun in safe, if not taking it with me
8) Tanks flushed, water level appropriate to temps added back after flush
9) Cabinet door open for ventilation
10) Lawn furniture stowed
11) Bay doors locked
12) Laundry done
13) Extra water in toilet bowl, especially in hot summer months
14) Bike locked
15) Trash out


I'm sure others have more complete lists but this has worked for me so far

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by bdersham

We spent a good portion of last winter in a cold pretty climate and every time we left the RV we turned off the water. However, we got tired of trudging through snow or mud to get to the water stanchion to turn it on or off. I own a manufacturing company so I had our controls engineer build a small electrical panel to control a 12 volt DC valve that mounted on the water stanchion. Now, from a switch just inside the RV door we’re able to turn the main water on or off. I also installed a 2 color light, red or green, that flashes when the switch is activated. Red = valve closed, green = valve open. When the door is opened there’s a photo-eye that senses your presence and will activate the light when you go in or out as a reminder.

Very ingenious, but a few cautions:

In cold climates many campgrounds use water hydrants that do not stay full of water when off. The valve is actually underground below the frostline. If a hose is left connected and turned on, the lines can freeze. I assume your setup had heat tape or something similar to prevent freezing.

In addition, many campgrounds in areas that get below freezing at night forbid leaving water hoses connected. I really admire your engineers' ingenuity, but wonder wouldn't it be easier and safer to just fill your onboard water tank and use that, only having to refill when necessary.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

We turn off the water outside when we're going out for a while!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[Hartrepair]

The ice maker (old Greek for Flood Maker) has caused a few moments of anguish. And,um... forgetting to check the grey water for over full (sigh)