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You are here: Home / RV University (or RV Training info) / RV How To Information and Video / RV Plumbing – How to Videos and RV Plumbing information page

RV Plumbing – How to Videos and RV Plumbing information page

RV plumbing is a huge topic. I have several pages dedicated to the subject, but this is your “start here” page for the topic.

RV Plumbing
RV Plumbing

RV plumbing repairs are the number one repair that my local repair guy performs. The number of rv plumbing repairs are probably due to many factors. I'll list  my theories here why plumbing might be so problematic  :

  • Traveling in an RV is a bumpy affair.
    • RV's mobility causes bumps and vibrations – vibrations loosen fittings
    • The longer the trip, the higher probability of a loose fitting. Observe for leaks carefully after a long trip.
  • Connecting and un-connecting water pressure causes loosening
    • RV's have water pressure turned on and off all the time.
    • Water cycling could cause leaks in a water system.
    • Watch for water leaks even more diligently after long periods of being without pressure.
  • Temperature cycling
    • I believe that RV's experience a greater range of temperatures.
    • Temperature cycling would cause leaks due to expansion and contraction of rv plumbing fittings. Have you ever seen northern US roads after a cold winter? That is temperature cycling. This is the same with your RV.
  • Dry fittings
    • If an RV has been in storage for along time, rubber gaskets and washers can lose their ability to be a gasket. They can become dry, hard, and cracked.
    • If your RV has been in dry storage for a long time, watch for leaks very carefully when you first attach water pressure
  • High water pressure
    • Many RV parks can have too high water pressure.
    • While RVs are designed to manage water pressure – they have a pressurized system – anything over 30 psi is too high and that pressure can cause leaks in your RV.

Some recommendations I would give to reduce plumbing leaks in an RV

  •  When leaving the RV for more than 2 days, turn off the water to the RV. This may cause your fittings to get dry, but if you are gone at least it won't spring a leak for 30 days unnoticed and cause a $10K floor repair.
  • Whenever you turn off the water, make sure you turn off the hot water heater. Heating an empty hot water heater will cause you buy a new hot water heater.
  • Whenever the water is turned off, but you aren't taking off, open a faucet and reduce the pressure in the system.
  • When turning water back on to the RV, check all of the fittings to make sure there are no new leaks.
  • When you are unsure of the external water pressure, make sure you have an incoming pressure control valve.

Here are some more detailed rv plumbing articles and how-to video pages:

RV Shower How-To Videos, Notes, and Easy Shopping Links

RV Shower How-To Videos, Notes, and Easy Shopping Links
A collection of RV shower photos: Airstream International Bathroom ShowerJayco travel trailer typical lavatory showerRV Showerrv shower information Video Library regarding RV Shower how-to : « prev 1 2 3 4 5 next » Title End the Terrible RV Shower For Good? Description We finally got our hands on the Oxygenics RV Body Spa RV Shower and...

Read more ...

RV Outdoor Shower – How To, Videos, and Information

RV Outdoor Shower – How To, Videos, and Information
RV outdoor showers are used by RVers to clean themselves off prior to entering the RV. Some usage scenarios on how people could or would use the outdoor shower on an RV will be listed here: Since it is an outdoor shower, each bullet would start with "Washing off..." sand when camping at the beach....

Read more ...

RV Sink How To, Video, and Information

RV Sink How To, Video, and Information
Articles on RV Sink: Look at that sink! Is this a high end Spa or an RV? RV Kitchen Sink and Faucet Hunting and Killing RV Water leaks Fixing kitchen faucet on Open Range and the UGLY TRUTH about home repair A collection of RV sink photos: rv sink how to informationAirstream International Side of...

Read more ...

RV Faucet How To, Video, and Information

RV Faucet How To, Video, and Information
rv faucet how toJayco travel trailer lightweight faucetRV Kitchen Sink and Faucet Video Library regarding RV faucet how-to : « prev 1 2 3 4 5 next » Title RV Faucet install and replace. Description Travel trailer, Toy hauler, RV faucet upgrade to home style faucet with built in sprayer. I'll walk you though the process and...

Read more ...

Here are some other articles about plumbing in the RV you might find handy :

  • Article on fixing a bathroom sink in an RV.
  • Check out the fresh water inlet article.
  • Where you fill your fresh water tank - the inlet
  • How to page on Fresh water
  • Water routing controls from my book The 5th Wheel RV - the Exterior
  • RV Plumbing basics article
  • Hooking up the utilities at a campsite
  • Tighten those plumbing fixtures regularly!
  • Glamping - the coolness of hot water.
  • Things come loose with vibration in an RV - Sheri's suprise
  • Fixing the kitchen sink with fixtures from Lowes
  • Typical RV water convenience center
I'm sure there are many other plumbing leak reduction ideas, so please either add comments to this page or contact me.

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Video Library regarding RV Plumbing :

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RV plumbing repairs are EASY!
Title
RV plumbing repairs are EASY!
Description
PLUMBING PARTS USED IN THIS VIDEO
Plumbers Tool (Not the exact one I found at Home Depot)
https://amzn.to/2jFZEPj
1/2" SharkBite Connector
https://amzn.to/2KJN0Lm
1/2" 90...
How to improve RV plumbing!
Title
How to improve RV plumbing!
Description
Today I updated the fresh water plumbing attachment to my Chalet Truck Camper. The truck camper came with two hose attachment points for the city/fresh and the black water flush, each requiring you t...
RV Walk-Thru: Water Systems - Learn how the water systems work on your RV.
Title
RV Walk-Thru: Water Systems - Learn how the water systems work on your RV.
Description
Tim and Sherry walk you through the workings of your RV's water system. City water hookups, grey and black water, water pumps, and much more!

www.rvwalkthru.com
Cheap & Easy DIY Camper Van Plumbing System - Van Life
Title
Cheap & Easy DIY Camper Van Plumbing System - Van Life
Description
Our cheap and easy DIY campervan plumbing setup includes a bar sink, flexible phtalate-free pipes, a 5-gallon bucket with a sealed lid, 2 x Desert Patrol water jugs, a marine foot pump, a copper pipe ...
Camper Van Conversion, Part 4: How to Install RV -- Camper Van Plumbing
Title
Camper Van Conversion, Part 4: How to Install RV -- Camper Van Plumbing
Description
Ron Tanner, from House Love, shows you how to install plumbing (toilet, sink, drinking water) in your RV, camper van, or caravan. He offers lots of easy-to-follow diagrams. Visit vanadventures.com for...
Tiny House & RV Plumbing for DIYers
Title
Tiny House & RV Plumbing for DIYers
Description
A visual walkthrough of my easy to re-create Tiny House plumbing, which is set up for on-grid or off-grid parking with a greywater system.

SUPPORT THESE VIDEOS: https://www.patreon.com/t...
RV How To Fittings
Title
RV How To Fittings
Description
A quick look at various fittings in the RV.
Installing All New RV PEX Plumbing Part 2
Title
Installing All New RV PEX Plumbing Part 2
Description
Part two of two.

Replacing my RV copper plumbing with brand new PEX pipes.

After a trip into the hardware store I was told that the copper water pipes in the kitchen had been...
S1E7 Sprinter Van Conversion | Plumbing Pt. 1
Title
S1E7 Sprinter Van Conversion | Plumbing Pt. 1
Description
Donate - https://www.jazmorton.com/donate/
Season 1 Van Build - http://bit.ly/VanBuildS1
Season 2 Van Life - http://bit.ly/VanLifeS2

Ep.7 BLOG POST + PRICE BREAKDOWN - http://...
How does an RV Water System Work
Title
How does an RV Water System Work
Description
Access RV Orientation Video Series: This shows how what your water system is, what you should know about it and what you can do about it.
RV Plumbing Leak Diagnosis & Repair - Practically For Free!
Title
RV Plumbing Leak Diagnosis & Repair - Practically For Free!
Description
Here's how us DIY RVers diagnose and repair elusive problems. Even though your RV's plumbing system may be different, this detailed look at the process may help you fix a similar problem.

...
Camper Van Plumbing walkthrough
Title
Camper Van Plumbing walkthrough
Description
A walkthrough of our plumbing and water storage in our 2012 sprinter, also an update of our van refit for baby lloyd. instagram @drivenbymegawats
Installing All New RV PEX Plumbing Part 1
Title
Installing All New RV PEX Plumbing Part 1
Description
This is one half of the video.

Yesterday I spent the whole day ripping out the original plumbing in the RV from front to back. At some points I thought it was ruined and I would never get...
Upgrading My RV Kitchen Drain with a HepVo
Title
Upgrading My RV Kitchen Drain with a HepVo
Description
See full blog post - http://www.loveyourrv.com/upgrading-rv-drain-system-hepvo-valve/

Buy a HepVo waterless trap - http://amzn.to/2dH6vsf (Amazon Affiliate Link)

In this vide...
My Camper Home - Hard Plumbed Septic
Title
My Camper Home - Hard Plumbed Septic
Description
Hard plumbing the sewer in at the new RV park.
RV drain Temporary or Permanent easy Hook up
Title
RV drain Temporary or Permanent easy Hook up
Description
How to do it yourself. RV Drain Hook Up
RV PEX leak repair and bathroom faucet replacement
Title
RV PEX leak repair and bathroom faucet replacement
Description
After multiple water leaks in our Jayco White Hawk I decided to make an upgrade to the bathroom plumbing

Pex Cutter: https://amzn.to/2pEaF78
Pex Crimper: https://amzn.to/2IQwF6E
School Bus PEX Vanlife Plumbing in Skoolie RV
Title
School Bus PEX Vanlife Plumbing in Skoolie RV
Description
http://www.patreon.com/JaxAustin | Shop my Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jaxaustin Vlog #482: Reed installs PEX to shurflo rv water pump and sink, shower.

ABOUT ME: I sold a...
RV Life: Save Your RV Plumbing With These Emergency Hacks!
Title
RV Life: Save Your RV Plumbing With These Emergency Hacks!
Description
Jack Frost has moved into my area early this year, with temps in the 20's I share my favorite cheap and easy hacks to protect my RV until I get back to sunnier skies.

I'm Bobby Gene, reti...
Interior Plumbing: An Advanced RV Build For Winter Camping
Title
Interior Plumbing: An Advanced RV Build For Winter Camping
Description
Mike and Marcia are building their new motorhome, Escapre, and they will test several new innovations. One of those innovations is all plumbing will be interior to allow for colder weather travel. The...
RV Renovation - Plumbing Update Part 1
Title
RV Renovation - Plumbing Update Part 1
Description
Uh oh - we've got leaks on our first test of the RV plumbing post-renovation.
DIY Camper Van Plumbing for our DIY Sprinter Campervan - #vanlife | Adventure in a Backpack
Title
DIY Camper Van Plumbing for our DIY Sprinter Campervan - #vanlife | Adventure in a Backpack
Description
Installing plumbing in our diy camper van was honestly a bit of an after thought. We knew we needed plumbing in our campervan for vanlife, but we weren't sure how to do it. This DIY Campervan plumbi...
Finishing Up The New RV Plumbing System
Title
Finishing Up The New RV Plumbing System
Description
I finally got the water in my RV to work but sadly with one major hitch. Watch the video to see what happened.

The fitting on the bathroom valve under the sink leaks. So I turned that one...
How To Install an RV Toilet
Title
How To Install an RV Toilet
Description
In this RV DIY® video Mark Polk, with RV Education 101, demonstrates how to install a Dometic 300 series RV toilet.

Happy Camping,
Mark Polk

RV Education 101 http://...
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nada Counts says

    August 3, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    We have a 1976 Aristocrat trailer and we have a clogged water line The sink drains but comes up through the shower drain. The toilet flushes fine. We have tried using vinegar and baking soda and a commercial drain opener and still no luck. We cannot find a plumbing schematic on line that shows our trailer on it. Our model is a M-17.

  2. Marlan at Rv52 says

    August 3, 2017 at 6:23 pm

    If I read between the lines… the sink to the shower is clear. The toilet flushes fine, which it would because it has a direct pipe to the black tank. But the shower builds up water and that is the problem. Is your shower draining at all? Or is everything draining fairly well, but the sink drain gets into the shower. It sounds like the shower is not draining based on what you wrote. Can you confirm?

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