⚠️ Safety First
- Turn off the water pump and disconnect city water before opening any fitting.
- Let the water heater cool and release pressure before touching the relief valve or the tank.
- Do not use chemical drain cleaners in an RV — they damage seals and tanks.
🧰 Tools & Materials
- Paper towels or a dry rag
- Flashlight
- Adjustable wrench and pliers
- PTFE tape and plumber’s sealant
- Spare hose clamps and push-fit fittings
- Water pressure regulator
📋 Step by Step
1 Locate the leak
Dry everything, then watch.
- Wipe the area dry, then run the pump with the city water disconnected; repeat on city water.
- Lay paper towel under fittings and valves — wet spots show the source.
- A leak only on city water points to the inlet, hose or regulator.
2 Fix fittings and lines
Plastic fittings are easy to overtighten.
- Tighten loose clamps and fittings by hand plus a quarter turn.
- Replace cracked fittings; use PTFE tape on threaded connections only.
- Use a pressure regulator on city water, set to roughly 40–50 psi (275–345 kPa), to protect the plumbing.
3 Deal with the toilet
Most toilet problems are the seal or a clog.
- A slow leak at the base usually means a worn floor seal — replace it.
- For clogs, add water and use RV-safe toilet paper; never force a plunger.
- If the bowl won’t hold water, the blade seal needs cleaning or replacing.
4 Shower, sink and drain
Small gaskets cause most leaks.
- Re-seat or replace the drain gasket and check the P-trap connection.
- For low pressure, clean the faucet aerator and the inline water filter.
5 Water-heater relief valve
A constant drip is a warning.
- An occasional drip while heating is normal as pressure rises.
- If it drips continuously, test the lever; if it keeps leaking, shut off the heater, let it cool, release pressure and replace the valve.
🔧 When to Call a Professional
Stop and book a qualified technician if you see any of these:
- A leaking fresh-water or holding tank
- Leaks inside walls or under the floor you can’t reach
- A water heater that leaks from the tank itself
- Any gas-line work on the water heater
❄️ Frozen plumbing
If lines freeze, thaw them slowly with warm air from a hair dryer — never a torch. Before restoring pressure, look for split fittings and lines, because a thawed split pipe will leak. A heated hose and insulation make winter camping far easier, and our winterizing guide covers storage.
🔎 Plumbing Symptoms and Next Steps
| Symptom | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Low pressure everywhere | Supply, regulator, filter or pump issue | Compare city water and tank operation |
| One faucet weak | Aerator or fixture blockage | Clean aerator per fixture manual |
| Pump cycles when unused | Leak or pressure switch issue | Shut off pump and inspect for leaks |
| Sewer smell | Dry trap, toilet seal or vent issue | Restore trap water; check seals and vents |
🍁 Troubleshooting in remote areas
Carry basic spares, such as fittings, clamps, tape and a spare water pump fuse. In remote parts of Canada, repairs can be hours away, so practise basic diagnosis before you need it.
📚 More Guides on This Topic
- Low water pressure – diagnose the cause
- Water pump troubleshooting – pump operation and faults
- Preventing and thawing frozen lines – cold-weather problems
- Water leak diagnosis – roof, window and plumbing leaks
🔧 Plumbing repair beyond DIY? Find a technician
If the checks above do not fix it, look for an Mobile RV technician or dealer service: a mobile RV technician or a dealer service department that handles water pumps, lines, fittings and tank systems.
Bring in a professional when
- A leak is in a wall or under the floor
- The pump or water heater fails
- Tanks or valves leak
- Freeze damage is suspected
When you call, say
Mention where the leak is, what you tried and when it started.
Worth asking
Ask whether they come to you, what their travel charge is, and whether they carry common pumps and fittings.
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