Galley faucet handle explodes off.

[bassgirl8552]

I took my kids camping yesterday and it has been 16 months since our last camping trip. I filled our holding tank with water and thought everything was ok. I couldn't seem to get water to come out of any of the faucets with the pump running and then the hot water faucet handle explodes off the faucet in the galley. Any suggestions? I am thinking I should have probably run water thru the trailer using fresh water hook up first and since I didn't do that the lines were completely dry. Any help would be appreciated. Any suggestions on why the handle exploded off?

[dadmomh]

Old Biscuit likely has the right answer...."top of the line fixtures" used in RVs. Not! Our ROO 23SS was only about 2 -3 years old when the whole faucet really did "literally explode". We always use a pressure valve, so that wasn't it, we were part way through the weekend, so it's not like it had been sitting unused for some time. Just turned on the faucet on Saturday morning and in a matter of seconds I had a great fountain in the kitchen. Thank goodness DH and DF were standing right outside when I yelled to turn off the water. A trip to the local "Ma and Pa" hardware store got us a really nice, high quality (high $$) faucet that we never had a problem with. Our brand spankin' new TT bought in May already has a new kitchen faucet....couldn't get the OEM to quit drip, drip, drip. We could have turned it in under warranty, but would have just gotten another POC faucet to install and still somewhere down the road would have had to replace it, too. Just bit the bullet and now don't have to worry about it. Never had a problem with the bathroom faucet in either camper....hope I'm not speaking too soon re the new TT. The OEMs look nice, very much like the higher $$ ones, but they're only gonna get you off the dealer's lot....fortunately we knew that going in, so it was no surprise.

FWIW, when we set up and first turn on the water, I go in and open both faucets and let out any air until the water runs smoothly. When we break camp, after disconnecting the water hose, I go back in and let off the pressure on both faucets. Also the toilet in both steps. Maybe it helps, maybe doesn't matter, but I feel better about it.

[trail-explorer]

bassgirl8552 wrote:
I am thinking I should have probably run water thru the trailer using fresh water hook up first and since I didn't do that the lines were completely dry.

There's no need to pre-fill the waterlines by conecting a hose to the fresh water connection prior to filling the tank.

[joeprinter]

the water pump can run dry without a problem, does sound like the air pressure was too high for the valve. Should always open the hot an cold before turning on the pump after sitting for along time, allows the air to leave your lines avoiding pressure buildup.

[Old-Biscuit]

Your on board pump only puts out 45 PSI at full pressure.

The only thing wrong was the cheap plastic junk faucets used in many trailers.

Replace faucet (do the bathroom sink one also) with a good quality residential type faucet.

Turn on pump....open faucet(s) to remove air from lines. Done!

Then go camping and enjoy.

[coolbreeze01]

bassgirl8552 wrote:
The trailer is a 2007 starcraft. I don't know how to sanitize the water tank but I don't see any mold or discoloration in the tank itself. Thanks for your help. I am going to look under the sink today and probably just replace the faucet.

Your water tank is probably just fine. Good idea to check all the systems prior to use. Amazing what quits working or breaks on these things, while they are just sitting. Have fun.

[classicdude]

Same thing happened to the kitchen faucet on our 2007 Starcraft. If I remember right, the fitting that holds the handle in place vibrated loose at some point. But I really can't recall if it was a handle or the spout that popped off.

[EnricoG]

Sounds like your winterizing kit valve was still set on the winterizing position, so you were not pumping water up from your fresh water tank. Check the valve position.

If you had your water heater on without water in your lines, I wonder if the heater could have generated enough steam by boiling any residual water to increase the pressure enough to blow your hot water faucet handle off. In that case, you'll definitely want to have someone check your lines in case more damage was done.

Sanitizing your water system should be done every spring if you do not use your trailer in winter. Here is a video to help you:
Youtube video

[Ray552]

Does your camper have a set of valves and a short hose that makes it easer to winterize?

Any chance that the valves are closed so that the water from the tank could not get to the faucet? I would think the pump with or without water would stop once a pressure setting was reached.

But I would check those valves to make sure you can get water from the tank.

[Ray552]

Good post Dennis.

I am not understanding from the original post, did water ever come out of the lines?

I use a pressure regulator on the water hose never had a problem but several long time campers told me to get one and put it on the hose to avoid problems.

When I turn on the water I open a valve to get the air out then go around to all other faucets to let air out.

When I use the holding tank I turn the pump on and do the same thing letting air out till water runs from every faucet.

[Executive45]

You'll need to flush and clean your fresh water tank and replace the faucet. Go to your local Home Depot and get yourself a new faucet. A regular bathroom faucet will fit and install is simple. Check their discontinued faucet displays first..you might have to ask. Remember teflon tape....Dennis

How to sanitize your fresh water tank:

1. Make sure your water heater is OFF and cool.
2. Determine the capacity of the fresh water tank.
3. Mix 2 ounces, max, household bleach for every 15 gallons of water to put into your tank. I use a 5 gallon water bottle and mix about 1/2 ounce bleach with it. Be sure to mix the bleach with the water before pouring it into the fresh water tank. This is important.
4. Make sure you're not hooked up to an external water source..use the RV pump.
5. Open up one faucet at a time, allowing the chlorinated water to flow through the faucet for one minute.
6. Close all faucets and top off the fresh water tank. Let sit for a couple hours or overnight if you prefer.
7. Now you want to flush your tank. Open the tank drain or if you don't have one, open all your faucets and completely drain your fresh water tank. Don't forget to drain the water heater as well.
8. Fill the tank with fresh water and repeat step 7 above.
9. Fill the tank again and the water should be safe to drink. If you still smell chlorine, you can flush the tank a third time.

I know this sounds like a lot of work, but it's a simple process and one that will keep you healthy. Remember too, not to let your fresh water tank sit that long in the future. Good luck...Dennis

[amandasgramma]

bassgirl8552......always, after a rig is sitting, toss in some bleach (how much is determined by how big your tanks are)....... We didn't do that one time, got to camp and the fresh water smelled like a sewer........ALWAYS clean it whether you see mold or not. 🙂 You can't see the bugs.....

[bassgirl8552]

The trailer is a 2007 starcraft. I don't know how to sanitize the water tank but I don't see any mold or discoloration in the tank itself. Thanks for your help. I am going to look under the sink today and probably just replace the faucet.

[dodge_guy]

16 months of non use? I hope you were in the process of sanitizing the freshwater system? the plastic in the handle probably deteriorated to the point the pressure of the system overcame the brittle plastic. even if you didn`t have all water in the system the air in the system will pressurize like water. probably would have happened no matter what you did. how old is the trailer/faucet? you can put a regular house faucet in. that is what I did because my bathroom sink handle was sticking and if I left it I think it may have done what your did. cost me $9.99 to replace it. I`m looking for a good one for my kitchen sink now!