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Unwanted water in an RV can cause a lot of damage. If you suspect a leak, source the problem and fix it immediately.
Words by Jessica Rider
What happens when there is water leaking in your RV and you have no idea where it is coming from? A lot of RVers this past season have called our mobile RV service team regarding this issue and my husband and I even recently experienced this in our fifth wheel, which resulted in a major repair to the flooring.
Typically, there are obvious signs of leaks like water dripping from a loose pipe connection or water appearing behind a toilet. There are also less obvious causes such as H20 coming in from a worn window seal, which you may not realize until there is damage.
If you suspect a leak, look and feel for moisture in the walls or cabinets as well as on furniture, the floor, and carpeting, which may feel ‘spongy.’ If water entry is a persistent problem, you’ll likely see brown stains in some areas.
The next, most challenging step is determining where that water is coming from. The first place to check is the RV roof. Water can leak in from holes in the roof membrane or through caulking. Also, check around vents and A/C units.
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There are many signs of leaks in floors, walls, cabinets and on carpeting.
Secondly, look at all the pipes and lines for any loose connections. Sometimes plastic fittings come loose or break and cause leaks. Lastly, ensure that your weep holes on the outside of your windows and the small slits on the bottom of the frames are clean and free of damage.
These should be checked on an annual basis.
Water leaks can be an RVer’s worst nightmare. Even when you have it mopped up, it may spread into places you wouldn’t think about.
For instance, when water was leaking in our fifth wheel’s bathroom, we thought we cleaned it all up. Little did we know that water seeped underneath the kitchen floor and flowed to the rear of the unit. What came next was removing the entire floor and replacing it. Not fun.
Remember, water will flow to the lowest possible point to flow out of your RV. So, inspect everywhere when you see a leak or water damage - even in the least likely spaces. If it’s not cleaned up right away you may find yourself with a mould issue.
Water and plumbing issues should not be ignored. As soon as you notice a problem, find the source and fix it immediately.
Happy Camping!
For more information about water leaks and other RV maintenance best practices visit www.pullthroughsites.com