Took off for a wonderful trip up the California Coast. We braved the rainy weather and flooding to arrive at our campsite only to find the inside of our trailer as flooded as the countryside we just crossed! The new kitchen faucet I installed actually turns on by pulling the lever down....and I have not real good at making sure the water pump is off when traveling(however, that won't be the case now!). What happened was a combination of three things:1. I installed a new single lever faucet that when I hit a number of bumps(on detours from the flooding)the handle jiggled down(on).2. The water pump was left on while traveling.......this won't happen again!3. Because I had just installed the sink and faucet I had the stoppers in the sink/s to check for leaks. At least a third of that water would have gone to the gray water tank had the stopper not been inserted.................When we got to the campsite we found all 66 gallons of fresh water inside the trailer! Took every towel and roll of paper towels in the trailer to get it sopped up. Had to find a laundry to wash and try the towels we used. And had to fill up the fresh water! That was Thursday night. We salvaged the week end at the beach and had a great time. It will take some time to let the trailer dry properly and refill it with provisions.

Don't do that!!!Seriously, that sucks. At least it was only 66 gallons. When something like this happens read my sig.

Wow! My wife and I were just discussing yesterday about swapping out the 2 handle faucet in the TT sink for a single handle faucet with the pull down head that can used as a sprayer. I always turn my water pump off when traveling, (I even have it double switched), but I never once though about the handle giggling on. We have these types in house and they are wonderful! Your post NOW has me rethinking. I'll be sharing with my wife! Thank-you!!!!!

Oh boy...not good.Sounds like the perfect "storm" disaster.Thanks for posting. At least the rest of us can learn.

Sounds like a State Farm commercial!

DutchmenSport wrote:Wow! My wife and I were just discussing yesterday about swapping out the 2 handle faucet in the TT sink for a single handle faucet with the pull down head that can used as a sprayer. I always turn my water pump off when traveling, (I even have it double switched), but I never once though about the handle giggling on. We have these types in house and they are wonderful! Your post NOW has me rethinking. I'll be sharing with my wife! Thank-you!!!!!Well, I am sticking with the current faucet, cause it would take a bit of work to change it, but the thought of it jiggling down into the on position never cross my mind. I am thinking of a rubber band around the spout to the lever to keep it from moving, but first..........the pump off for traveling!

Don't let this happen to you! | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

rbpru
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2017
I am with the group that shuts of everything when we travel or are not at home except the propane needed by the frig. The pump, heater, lights etc.

That does not mean we do not forget from time to time. :)

Sorry to hear about your mess.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2017
JohnG4706 wrote:
Our brick and stick homes are built in the elements, exposed to rain and snow, etc. They generally use an exterior grade of plywood or chipboard. I imagine cost might be a consideration, but with all of the stories that result in soft or rotted floors, why doesn't the rv mfgrs use exterior grade flooring and maybe treated lumber for the walls and roof trusses?
The other is cheaper, they would build them out of cardboard if they could.
JohnG4706
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Our brick and stick homes are built in the elements, exposed to rain and snow, etc. They generally use an exterior grade of plywood or chipboard. I imagine cost might be a consideration, but with all of the stories that result in soft or rotted floors, why doesn't the rv mfgrs use exterior grade flooring and maybe treated lumber for the walls and roof trusses?
MitchF150
Nomad
Feb 14, 2017
Dutchman, those are very nice faucets indeed, and thank you for providing pics to show how they are positioned.

I would never have thought to put them that way..

Mitch
toedtoes
Explorer III
Feb 14, 2017
I think this was a matter of a perfect storm.

First, the faucet lever pushes down to open - so gravity can turn it on.

Second, the water pump was on.

Third, the sink drain was stoppered.

If any of the three had been different, the flooding wouldn't have occurred.
westend
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
I'm in a potentially bad situation since I have the older air-pressure system,i.e. the supply tank is pressurised so that even if I turn off the compressor, there is still pressure in the tank and lines. Fortunately, even a valve left on, the water will all drain to a tank and lastly, to the shower/tub.
If a supply line or fitting breaks, there will be a mess.

The solution for me is to turn off the little compressor and bleed the air pressure off the tank. That can be done at the shrader valve on the fill cap. I will probably be rolling the dice on that since it will be a chore either forgotten or deemed unnecessary for short absences. One factor that mitigates removing the pressure is that I installed all new supply lines and they have been tested to 80 psi. I trust my plumbing.
llowllms
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
Since we never dry camp the only time our pump is on is when I winterize. One thing to watch for is soft places in the floor. May take a season or two to show up. I hope this never happens to you but it's something to be aware of. Do like the faucet though but since I'm cheap I don't make changes to factory installed unless it can not be repaired.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
If that water got into insulation under the floor you need to open the belly and dry it out. The water will sit in the insulation against the underneath of the floor and rot the wood.

I have thought of installing a timer into the water pump circuit so it shuts off automatically after an hour. It would be a nuisance at times but would insure not leaving the pump energized.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
MitchF150 wrote:
I don't know of any lever type faucet that turn ON buy pushing the lever DOWN??

All the ones I've put in my house all need to be pushed UP to turn ON...

Here ya go Mitch. The first photo is from my Kitchen, the second is from my Laundry Room in my hosue.
chiefward
Explorer
Feb 14, 2017
"water pump off" is one of the items on my departure checklist.

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Don't let this happen to you!

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