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karen123k's avatar
karen123k
Explorer
Dec 31, 2014

can the city water run into the trailer at all times?

I am about to move into an aljo trailer. the other day we thought we would hook it up to the city water. it was on all night. i now have learned i need a psi of 40 and also a white hose. any way the next day the carpet in the middle of my trailer was soaked. i vacuumed it up and the next day (shut off city water) it was soaked again. some how the grey tank was over filling. i barely used any water. it is supose to come out through the shower or sink but last owner had plugs in them so for some reason have no idea how it went upwards through the floor. pls help me understand how this happened. and yes i have read my manual. More info when we thought we overfilled the fresh water tank I ran water to release pressure for like 2 minutes then from under the trailer where the grey tank is located started spilling on the ground. the manual said if u r not level which we were not the drainage won't drain right and could back up. usualy the over flow would release back into the shower but it had a cap in it also the sink so no water could b released back into it. the next lowest point is the middle of the floor. been reading about some kind of roof vent to release the over flow don't know anything about that but it obviously didn't release there. hope this explains a little better. thankyou

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  • nineoaks2004's avatar
    nineoaks2004
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    40 psi is high, I use a pressure regulator, put it on the faucet not on the RV, if not and you have high pressure it can blow a hose. It sounds like the damage has been done and you have a water leak
    (IE: busted pipe)and if so I would look in the area that is getting soaked first as far as the plugs, some people pup plugs in the shower etc to keep bugs from entering the unit through these drains, first you have to get the leak fixed then remove the plugs one at a time put water in that and check for leaks, if you find one then fix that leak, and do the rest of the plugs the same way. Good luck
  • mich800's avatar
    mich800
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    Need more clarification. Are you sure the grey tank was full or are you just assuming? What are these plugs you speak of, just standard drain stops?

    I am with the others that you may have a leak in the water line someplace. If not this and your grey tank is actually filling up with no water running into the drains is a mystery.
  • Harvard's avatar
    Harvard
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    I never use city water, we always fill the fresh water tank and use the pump. That way we know when there is water flowing by the sound of the pump. Sort of a leak detection system, if you will.
  • Big_Love's avatar
    Big_Love
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    PawPaw_n_Gram wrote:
    I never hook up water to any RV without a pressure limiter/ reducer to prevent overpressure from breaking water lines/ fittings inside the RV.

    Also, when I'm going to be away from the RV for more than a few hours, I turn off the city water. Having a water leak is the easiest way to cause major damage to the RV.


    X2 - always use a pressure limiter and turn off the city water whenever you are going to be away from the RV for awhile. RV PEX water lines are usually crimped connections which can eventually leak after the many jolts and vibrations from traveling in a RV. Often it is a slow leak which can be difficult to find if your water lines run above a covered undercarriage.
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    I never hook up water to any RV without a pressure limiter/ reducer to prevent overpressure from breaking water lines/ fittings inside the RV.

    Also, when I'm going to be away from the RV for more than a few hours, I turn off the city water. Having a water leak is the easiest way to cause major damage to the RV.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    It sounds like you may have a small leak at one of the lines or fittings. Maybe kitchen faucet etc. Look under all the cabinets and water heater area. It's good to use at least a cheap pressure regulator on the supply faucet. If connected to city water, I would always shut the supply faucet off if leaving for awhile and at night. If running off the fresh tank I also keep the pump switch off if leaving and at night.

    RV's are known for cheesy connections and water leaks. IF, when using your water pump, you hear it randomly kick on for a second or two, and you have not turned any faucets on, it sometimes means that you have a small leak and the pump pressure is bleeding off causing the pump to turn on.

    You may use that as somewhat of a diagnostic tool. Have water in the fresh tank, disconnect from the city water, run the water pump and open all faucets enough to get any air out, then let it sit with the pump switch still on and listen for the pump to kick on. It may take quit awhile if its just a drip.

    I had this issue with a drip at the water heater under the bed. If you dont recognize whats going on, you can end up with much damage.
  • ferretgrandpa's avatar
    ferretgrandpa
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    On that 40 psi, that is a MAXIMUM .
    As for being on all night, we full timed in 1 spot for a year and a half, water was on ALL the time, no problems. We did start with a pressure regulator, so no pressure spikes, which normally occur in the early am (from my early days working in a small town power plant and water plant)
  • FrankShore's avatar
    FrankShore
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    The last owner has plugs in what? The shower?

    It sounds to me like with a PSI too high, you blew a piece of plumbing off. Check under the kitchen sink, bathroom sink and outside shower line (that should come into the trailer)

    Also, check your hot water heater and if it's dry around that. Could be you have crummy check valves that cracked?
  • 81SHOVELHEAD's avatar
    81SHOVELHEAD
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2014
    are your tanks full?
    I would leave the grey tanks open & only open the black tank when it reaches 2/3 full .
    Are you sure water is from overfilled tanks & not busted water lines?

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