Forum Discussion

tlhathaway's avatar
tlhathaway
Explorer
Aug 01, 2025
Solved

Water Heater Leak on start up.

The 12 gallon Suburban Water Heater in my 2024 Arctic Fox, leaks through the pressure relief valve during the initial heat up. I have been relieving the issue by opening the hot water faucet. This only happens the first time the tank gets heated and it hasn't recurred during reheat cycles. I haven't experienced this issue with my previous trailers. Is this normal?

  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Aug 01, 2025

    I would say not normal but also not something I personally would worry too much about. 

    If it's been a while since you've drained the tank you can letting it cool and then pull the drain plug. Let it drain then put the plug back in and run a hot faucet to fill it back up. The idea is to restore the air gap at the top of the tank.

     

3 Replies

  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator II
    Aug 02, 2025

    Not sure why it’s venting some steam/water. Have not experienced that on any camper we’ve had or been around, whether the system is pressurized when turning on the water heater or just static full of water. 
    I’ll say not normal but I don’t know why or how to stop it from doing that. 
    Being a 2024 very expensive camper I’d be asking the warranty department to pony up and make it stop (good luck, rv dealer = get ready for a bunch of bs to flow from their mouth to your ears). 

  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator III
    Aug 02, 2025

    Trapped air in the tank creating steam. I'd say normal. Next time try running the hot faucet before turning on the water heater to purge any air and see if that helps.

  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Aug 01, 2025

    I would say not normal but also not something I personally would worry too much about. 

    If it's been a while since you've drained the tank you can letting it cool and then pull the drain plug. Let it drain then put the plug back in and run a hot faucet to fill it back up. The idea is to restore the air gap at the top of the tank.

     

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