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Mao2015's avatar
Mao2015
Explorer
Jan 14, 2017

Hot water issues .

[img][/img]First let me say to all members, as well as staff. Thank you! I have visited this site a few times over the last year and learned a lot. ! We are full time in our 5th wheel. . In Ohio so yea.. it's certainly presented some fun,challenging and moderately entertaining situations lol. Those of you who unclear on Ohio weather. . Not uncommon to see summer temps reach 100 plus degrees. Winters .. well let's say cold lol last winter our lowest temp was -30 with windchill factor. So far this season -10 is as bad as it has gotten. . So far lol
On to the issue. I have insulated my supply lines, Not an issue there. On blistering cold nights I will have hot + cold water in the kitchen. This is wher I am completely stumped.
The vanity,toilet, and shower all have cold water flowing... But No hot..????
I took further steps if insulting the supply lines in the storage areas with both pipe wraps as well as house hold insulation. Done the same under the sink in the kitchen. Repeated the process and went one step further and placed multiple panels of insulation in every compartment. I have a sealed undercarriage with Artic packs on my tanks. So to say the least I could use someone's expert tutelage! Thanks in advance for any and all input as well as a possible resolution.
  • Mao2015 wrote:
    Thank you all for the insight. To answer the question, there is cold water is flowing at all times during brutality cold nights.. but no hot water flow at all. I am hesitant leaving the hot water on even a trickle overnight. I would think this could cause hot water heater damage? Wouldn't that burn the Heating element out??


    I would figure out where it is freezing and add some heat tape, then as long as you are hooked up to power you will be good to go.
  • I doubt that leaving the hot water trickle (in bathroom) is going to cause your hot water heater to work much harder than it already is working.

    You may want to consider using some heat tape on the water lines to the bathroom.
  • Thank you all for the insight. To answer the question, there is cold water is flowing at all times during brutality cold nights.. but no hot water flow at all. I am hesitant leaving the hot water on even a trickle overnight. I would think this could cause hot water heater damage? Wouldn't that burn the Heating element out??
  • Like above is there cold water flow out of the hot tap or no flow at all? if you have an outdoor shower with a sprayer make sure the valves are closed as this can bleed cold into the hot. If no flow I would bet the hot line has frozen, insulation on its own will not stop freezing, it is just a barrier keep the heat from escaping. So if you are relying on just pipe insulation to stop freezing it will delay it but unless you have constant flow you will need a heat source to keep the pipe from freezing in the long term. Also hot water lines can freeze faster than cold water lines.
  • Wow, water systems are pretty basic and usually if hot water flows in one spot it flows everywhere it is plumbed. A bypass valve would stop water from going to the WH, the city fill vs water pump supply would be on the supply side. An open or partially open shower of sink valve would dilute the hot with cold. It really seems odd.

    Has the vanity and/or shower ever had hot water flowing? The toilet wouldn't be in the equation.

    Have you been able to or even tried to contact the manufacturer?

    Here is kind of a test to see if water is even flowing past the kitchen, if you have a single valve vanity faucet, turn it on either hot or cold and then slowly change to the other temp. The volume should be virtually the same at either extreme and greater when mixed 50/50.

    The other thought is there may be shut off valves for the fixtures not getting any hot.

    It would be helpful to see a diagram of your specific plumbing system.

    I, like you am just stumped. Keep us updated.
  • In bathroom do you have cold water coming from 'Hot' tap or no water at all? If you have water flow, does the water pressure seem as strong as cold water pressure?

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