Forum Discussion

Baseballwife02's avatar
Baseballwife02
Explorer
Mar 22, 2020

Water damage under shower.

Hi all! My husband and I just purchased a 2019 Forest River Salem 32 rlds. I was doing dishes and heard a noise.. ran to the bathroom and water was coming from under the shower. Turned everything off and opened the little panel to find my WORST nightmare. Water damage. There’s a hole cut under the subfloor that’s under the shower that apparently has been collecting water from longgggg before it was ours. I don’t even know where to begin with replacing this. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. This is our first RV and we’re only 2 weeks in.

Also to add... I checked all closets, cabinets, floors around the area and the subfloor does not look to be damaged at all in those areas. Just the area that was cut under the shower.
  • hondapro's avatar
    hondapro
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2020
    How long ago did you buy it? Is it still under warranty? If so I would start by contacting the dealer where you bought it. Also you need to get the water dried up asap.
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2020
    Can you tell where the leak is coming from? You need to do that first before you do any repair.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2020
    X2 on hondapro’s comment. PRONTO!

    It’s not clear if you were hooked to city water. Were you using a pressure regulator? This is why I fill the tank and use the pump.
  • William_Willard's avatar
    William_Willard
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2020
    Open the valve to the gray water tank -- Could e full & backing up into shower P trap -- Bill Willard
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2020
    Sounds like you have some loose compression fittings in the drain line plumbing, pretty typical. I don't thing the Amish craftsmen know how to tighten fittings up. Had the same deal with my new one but I checked all of them before I ever used it. They were all either loose or had inadequate blocking under them or both.

    Very typical, what I never buy used, only new but I go over everything before using the first time, I dislike surprises.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 22, 2020
    My first thought when ever I read this sort of thing is whether the manufacuter used plumbers putty fo rthe drain. If so, it wont last because it is not for use on plastics(sais so on the container). Use only 100% silicone.
    I've seen numerous leaks in RV's and homes because of this mistake - often made by professional plumbers.
  • wopachop's avatar
    wopachop
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2020
    I just had the same issue with my Forest River. Remove the p trap and remove the drain. Then stick a blow dryer into the hole.

    Will take a pic of mine. Its drying right now.
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Mar 23, 2020
    Don't panic.

    It's hard to tell what you mean but, first, fix the leak ! Then dry the floor. If the only place that got wet is under the shower, the shower floor is still firm, and the rest of the camper floor is still solid then I would not worry about it.

    But, that's just me. Little things happen. I don't worry about them.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Mar 23, 2020
    Some have the floor hacked out under the shower so bad that there is little support. Then the drain pipes might take the load and crack, ask me how I know. If you can't find the problem, then pull the shower base and do it right.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Mar 23, 2020
    Gjac wrote:
    Can you tell where the leak is coming from? You need to do that first before you do any repair.

    ^This. Then dry it out. I have had several plumbing leaks for various reasons that caused no lasting damage. The trick is to get the leak stopped first, then access the damage.
    Good luck.

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