We have lived in our 2006 Mandalay DP for 8 years. In the fall we were still in Washington and when nights got really cool we noticed our water heater was dripping into basement. Thought we had a leak so we took it to a repair shop but it wouldn't drip for them. All has been good for over 2 months and now AZ is getting to the 30's at night and we have dripping again. Why would we be getting this now when it never happened before? What could be different?

If they are certain that there are no leaks, it is possible that you have some condensation forming on the INCOMING cold water line. You might get some pipe insulation and try wrapping the incoming water line and see if that helps.

Water pressure is my bet. If water condensing on pipes at HWH then it would on others also. Check pressure and if hi in current park start looking for a leak.

After 36 years as an RV Tech, I have NEVER had or heard of a Water Heater having or causing condensation. I will bet you have a small leak at the water heater/area. It just did not show up at the Service Center. Doug

Agree with Doug. Quite likely you have a connection that is not quite tight. Cold causes things to shrink (metal more than plastic) and that can lead to a leak. You need to access the back of the water heater and check the connections there as well as to check the drain plug and pressure relief valve.Yes, high water pressure will certainly cause a bigger leak. ASSUME you have a pressure reducer on the shore water inlet.

We actually have quite low pressure here. Only happens when it's really cold at night.

Water heater condensation | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

Gjac
Explorer III
Dec 08, 2015
I had this same problem when in Az for the winter, it dropped into the teens over night. I did as Oldbiscuit suggested and just tightened the fittings by hand and it stopped the leak. I wrapped a paper towel around each fitting to see which was leaking.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 08, 2015
In order to pull it out you will have to disconnect water connections, propane gas connection, the electrical connections to element and possibly the DC wiring connections.

You can not see any connections by just sliding it out a little bit.

Reach your hand down thru that access hole.
Grab hold of each line connection (cold on bottom and hot on top) and turn them to tighten.

Most dripping is just from a loose fitting and most fittings in RVs are loose.
RayChez
Explorer
Dec 08, 2015
I agree with Doug. I have never seen condensation on the heater lines. I bet you do have a water leak somewhere. Maybe the pressure relief valve might be dripping at high hot water pressure. I replaced mine last year. Bought it at Home Depot. Easy to install.
DC_MC
Explorer III
Dec 08, 2015
Ok we're taking things apart tomorrow. The floor of the closet has a small access hole but we can't see the water lines from there. Hoping if we remove it from outside we can ease it out enough to see things
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 06, 2015
You have a leak

Take some toilet paper and wrap each connection on backside of water heater, lay some under area where electric element is, lay some under drain plug

Then tomorrow see which one is soaked....that is where your leak is
3oaks
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
Are you sure it's condensation? I have only experienced warm moist air condensing on cold pipes rather than cold air condensing on something that is warmer.
dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 06, 2015
DC&MC wrote:
We actually have quite low pressure here. Only happens when it's really cold at night.

Yes, but combine that with the fact that the water in the W/H is HOT/pressurized and the surrounding area is cold. Points to a water system LEAK. Doug
DC_MC
Explorer III
Dec 06, 2015
We actually have quite low pressure here. Only happens when it's really cold at night.
wolfe10
Explorer
Dec 06, 2015
Agree with Doug. Quite likely you have a connection that is not quite tight. Cold causes things to shrink (metal more than plastic) and that can lead to a leak. You need to access the back of the water heater and check the connections there as well as to check the drain plug and pressure relief valve.

Yes, high water pressure will certainly cause a bigger leak. ASSUME you have a pressure reducer on the shore water inlet.
dougrainer
Nomad
Dec 06, 2015
After 36 years as an RV Tech, I have NEVER had or heard of a Water Heater having or causing condensation. I will bet you have a small leak at the water heater/area. It just did not show up at the Service Center. Doug