Plumbing Problems!!
During our Yosemite trip we could smell gas at night near the water heater. So after we got home I hooked up the water to the house spigot and fired up the water heater to search for the gas leak with soapy water. I left the hose on and went in the house for a few minutes. When I returned water was pouring out of the bottom of the trailer all over the place.
A hose had burst or come loose inside the trailer. There had been lots of patches in the copper with rubber hoses and clamps. I knew I didn't trust these repairs, but didn't realize I would be forced to do something about it. At least it happened AFTER our trip!
I researched replacement plumbing techniques. The popular choice is PEX tubing. It uses a flexible tubing system that can take a moderate freeze. However, the fittings were compression type and expensive. Around $3-6 each.
I ended up using CPVC. CPVC is a special kind of PVC that is made for potable hot and cold water piping. It uses glue connections and cannot take a freeze like copper. You will still have to winterize. The fittings were around $0.30 - $0.65 each.
Here are some before and after pictures.
BEFORE AFTER
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| You cannot see in the above picture, there were two rubber tubes running to the rear with hose clamps. I believe one of these came loose to flood the trailer! | All new piping, valves, and a new check valve on the output of the water pump. I also replace all the tubing coming from the fresh water tank. |
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| Removing the old piping near the water heater meant loosing the built in pressure regulator and over pressure relief valve. They were 30 years old so I don't feel too bad. Now I have to remember the inline hose pressure regulator! | Notice the three extra valves. I was able to add them for a water heater bypass for winterizing. Although I probably won't need it since I live in sunny California ;-) I also replaced the original check valve from the water inlet. |
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| Above you can clearly see the hoses and clamps. This is ok for a temporary fix but not a permanent repair! | The new piping with the two drain valves. All valves used were full flow valves. |
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All the old pipes and hoses that were removed....
This job took about three weeks working on it a little here and there as the weather was nice. Not shown is the new kitchen faucet. I had to remove the old one by cutting it up with a power saw because it was so corroded after 30 years!
Lucky to say there were not real leaks when I finally pressurized it with water. Only one tiny seep at the entry connection near the check valve. Right now I am hoping it will just seal itself as I would have to cut the pipe to be able to tighten it.