A new problem - faucet

[lterry]

I filled my potable water tank to check out my pump and other water fittings. There's a pretty swift leak in the rubbery tube under my sink that goes to the hot water handle. It's right at the joint, but I can only feel that area, not see it. It's hard to get a grip on it also. Though I tried to tighten as much as I could, I'm sure it was only just a smidgen. My question is: How does one work on something s/he cannot see?

Wait, I was just about to hit the post button when I saw the picture icon...ding, ding, ding, I can take a picture.

Though that takes care of the see part, how can I work on something I can barely reach?

 

[B and C]

If it is just a loose fitting at the faucet behind the sink, a cheap "basin wrench" will get the job done.

Search on basin wrench and you will get pictures.  A family member might already have one.

 

[TMG51]

I filled my potable water tank to check out my pump and other water fittings. There's a pretty swift leak in the rubbery tube under my sink that goes to the hot water handle. It's right at the joint, but I can only feel that area, not see it. It's hard to get a grip on it also. Though I tried to tighten as much as I could, I'm sure it was only just a smidgen. My question is: How does one work on something s/he cannot see?

Wait, I was just about to hit the post button when I saw the picture icon...ding, ding, ding, I can take a picture.

Though that takes care of the see part, how can I work on something I can barely reach?

Yeah, definitely take a picture of it. Not just so you can see but also post it here and we can tell you how to fix it. Most plumbing repairs are easier than people think.

Is the leak sort of where the arrow points in this picture? If so it's just the fill line. Although it is possible to replace gaskets in a fill line, I would just buy a new one. They're cheap and can be taken off / put on just by hand. If the leak is down below on one of the other areas then we'll need to know more about what kind of fitting it is (post a picture).

 

[Almost There]

I filled my potable water tank to check out my pump and other water fittings. There's a pretty swift leak in the rubbery tube under my sink that goes to the hot water handle. It's right at the joint, but I can only feel that area, not see it. It's hard to get a grip on it also. Though I tried to tighten as much as I could, I'm sure it was only just a smidgen. My question is: How does one work on something s/he cannot see?

Wait, I was just about to hit the post button when I saw the picture icon...ding, ding, ding, I can take a picture.

Though that takes care of the see part, how can I work on something I can barely reach?

Here's the long of it!!

It's not pretty and it involves much use of moaning, groaning and several words that can be used as a verb, a noun, an adjective and an adverb....

You will feel like a contortionist when you're done and have bruises where you didn't know you could bruise.

It IS helpful to have someone standing by to pull you out by your toes or the belt loops when you get stuck. They can also be on hand to pass in the one tool you forgot to drag in with you in the first place.
Ear plugs would be helpful for the standby person but then they wouldn't be able to hear you asking (nicel y please) for said tools.


The short version of it - There is no easy way.

Seriously, see if you can remove any of the shelves that might be in your way. I'd suggest looking at replacing the whole line if you can. It's likely split where it attaches to the faucet. Once rubber hose starts splitting in one spot, it's going to do it some place else sooner rather than later.

 Don't forget to turn the water off somewhere before the leak so you don't also have to mop up! Don't ask how I know about that advice...

A mirror helps btw.

 

[B and C]

Roadtreks normally have PEX tubing although I am not sure they used it that far back (1990). It is more than likely that the fitting is loose where it connects to the faucet and a basin wrench makes tightening the fitting easy. Don't torque it too tight as the faucets are made of plastic. There are no rubber seals/gaskets or separate line from the feed to the faucet like shown in the picture on a previous post.

 

[B and C]

I forgot to add that a basin wrench is a basic plumbing tool and can be had for about $15 at your local big box store.  Sure makes tightening (and loosening) those fittings between the sink and wall easy.  It will also keep anyone nearby from calling you a sailor

Look at your shower faucet to get an idea of the plastic used.  Remove the shower hose to look at the plastic nipple it attaches to.  This is pretty much what your water lines attach to on the back side.

 

[lterry]

I forgot to add that a basin wrench is a basic plumbing tool and can be had for about $15 at your local big box store.  Sure makes tightening (and loosening) those fittings between the sink and wall easy.  It will also keep anyone nearby from calling you a sailor

Look at your shower faucet to get an idea of the plastic used.  Remove the shower hose to look at the plastic nipple it attaches to.  This is pretty much what your water lines attach to on the back side.

Haven't done anything to it yet, just got pictures. Funny thing is, it's not leaking anymore, but water isn't coming out when I turn the cold water on. Only the hot water, which has sediment in it, like Florida sand. Not that much but it's there.
Also, gave the toilet a flush for the first time and it's leaking behind it. Clear water - wasn't flushing any waste, it was just a check...it didn't check out. I'm beginning to wonder if the seals weren't blown out due to high pressure.
Also, I have a leak from my fresh water tank :/ 
And one more thing - I ran some water into my tub. It stayed. The drain is stopped up or a valve is turned off somewhere...something is going on. It's not even creeping out. It's there until I get a bucket I guess.

I'm glad I didn't pay anymore than I did. Good news is, it still runs great...hey, let me hang onto the positives.

Pictures: the first tank pic is the left side of it and the 2nd pic is the right side.

 

[lterry]

Yeah, definitely take a picture of it. Not just so you can see but also post it here and we can tell you how to fix it. Most plumbing repairs are easier than people think.

Is the leak sort of where the arrow points in this picture? If so it's just the fill line. Although it is possible to replace gaskets in a fill line, I would just buy a new one. They're cheap and can be taken off / put on just by hand. If the leak is down below on one of the other areas then we'll need to know more about what kind of fitting it is (post a picture).

Yes, it's up there with the arrow. It felt like it was where the hose connected to the actual underside of the knobs.

 

[TMG51]

So from the looks of those pictures and your comments, you have a few leaks to address. I'd fix the leak in the fresh water tank first, I think... do you know where it's coming from?

It looks like maybe your faucet lines are all run one piece up to the sink, which means you can't easily change the fill line piece. But you should be able to tighten those gray hex bits either by hand or with a tool (just don't go using vice grips and crack the plastic or something). If tightening them doesn't stop the leak there, then remove them instead and look for a worn rubber washer or a crack in those white threads...

My water system also had three leaks in it when I bought it. I fixed two of them on the drive home, and the third later on. If you're still having problems when I leave Florida I'll offer to take a look!

 

[B and C]

Fresh water tank leaks can be repaired with some patching material obtained at an RV place.  If the leaks are on the bottom, it can be repaired without removing the tank.

Your faucet and toilet leaks are probably from non-use and may go away on their own as everything is re-hydrated.

The hot water valve stem may now be clogged on your faucet.  R&R.  You may want to put a filter on the line going into your water pump like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-255-313-Twist-On-Pipe-Strainer/dp/B000V2W0GE

 and use one of these on the water hose you use to fill the tank:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40043-TastePURE-Flexible-Protector/dp/B0006IX87S

I hope you are using a white or a blue RV water hose as a regular garden hose is not for potable water.

You also want to get a water pressure regulator if you are connecting to city water:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40053-Brass-Pressure-Regulator/dp/B000BQ7WH2

If you have not removed the anode rod from the hot water heater, this would be a good time to do it.  Release any pressure in the system before removing this replaceable anode rod as 6 gallons of water will come out.  Spray out the HW tank to remove the calcium.  There is a special "wand" that goes on the end of a garden hose for this to spray the back part of the tank to wash the calcium out the anode rod hole.  This is twice a year maintenance.  If the anode rod is down to just the smaller than a pencil metal rod, replace it asap as your tank could start corroding away (leak).  The anode rod is the sacrificial metal to stop the tank from corroding.

My drains for the shower and the sink have the same twist in stopper.  Counterclockwise to remove and drain.  If this is not the problem????  There is not a valve other than the drain seal in the tub that I am aware of.

 

[TMG51]

My drains for the shower and the sink have the same twist in stopper.  Counterclockwise to remove and drain.  If this is not the problem????  There is not a valve other than the drain seal in the tub that I am aware of.

Curiously, I have noticed that in my van, the shower tub will NOT drain if the back of the van is even slightly higher than the front. It can be level or with the front slightly elevated and work fine (and in fact, because the drain is on the passenger side, it works best level front-to-back but slightly lower on the passenger side). But if the back is even slightly raised it simply will not drain. I assume this is somehow due to airflow the way it was plumbed.

Although if something similarly weird is going on here you should be able to open the gray water discharge to return airflow and negate the issue.

 

[lterry]

Fresh water tank leaks can be repaired with some patching material obtained at an RV place.  If the leaks are on the bottom, it can be repaired without removing the tank. It connected to a waterhose from my house which is on city water.

Your faucet and toilet leaks are probably from non-use and may go away on their own as everything is re-hydrated.

The hot water valve stem may now be clogged on your faucet.  R&R.  You may want to put a filter on the line going into your water pump like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-255-313-Twist-On-Pipe-Strainer/dp/B000V2W0GE

 and use one of these on the water hose you use to fill the tank:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40043-TastePURE-Flexible-Protector/dp/B0006IX87S

I hope you are using a white or a blue RV water hose as a regular garden hose is not for potable water.

You also want to get a water pressure regulator if you are connecting to city water:
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40053-Brass-Pressure-Regulator/dp/B000BQ7WH2

If you have not removed the anode rod from the hot water heater, this would be a good time to do it.  Release any pressure in the system before removing this replaceable anode rod as 6 gallons of water will come out.  Spray out the HW tank to remove the calcium.  There is a special "wand" that goes on the end of a garden hose for this to spray the back part of the tank to wash the calcium out the anode rod hole.  This is twice a year maintenance.  If the anode rod is down to just the smaller than a pencil metal rod, replace it asap as your tank could start corroding away (leak).  The anode rod is the sacrificial metal to stop the tank from corroding.

My drains for the shower and the sink have the same twist in stopper.  Counterclockwise to remove and drain.  If this is not the problem????  There is not a valve other than the drain seal in the tub that I am aware of.

I'm not sure what color the hose used to be, it's blue now but I think it used to be green. I don't really care because I was just filling it to see what, if anything, leaked. There's no way I'd drink that water whether it was from a RV hose or not right now. 

Whoever said they sink link would stop was right. Both are working now and no leaking.

I haven't done that water heater thing yet. It started getting dark.

Thanks EVERYONE for your help!

Here's where the toilet is leaking.

 

[lterry]

So from the looks of those pictures and your comments, you have a few leaks to address. I'd fix the leak in the fresh water tank first, I think... do you know where it's coming from?

It looks like maybe your faucet lines are all run one piece up to the sink, which means you can't easily change the fill line piece. But you should be able to tighten those gray hex bits either by hand or with a tool (just don't go using vice grips and crack the plastic or something). If tightening them doesn't stop the leak there, then remove them instead and look for a worn rubber washer or a crack in those white threads...

My water system also had three leaks in it when I bought it. I fixed two of them on the drive home, and the third later on. If you're still having problems when I leave Florida I'll offer to take a look!

You'd really come see me? I might fake a leak if it's fixed later. Just kidding...but I've never met in person another vandweller!

 

[lterry]

B & C, the stopper was the issue...twisted right out. I feel a tiny bit stupid about that...oh well

 

[rvpopeye]

Oh my goshk !
Never feel dumb for not knowing how to use something in your rig.
EVERYBODY has to go through that learning curve .
Plus , there are very many manufacturers that don't all do things the same way.
We're (hopefully) all here to help anyone figure out the various quirks of living on wheels. Some have more experience and some have less.

You're now well on the way getting to know your new rig and also seem to be picking up the skills to fix it up and keep it all working. There are some here who even have the same make vehicle which always makes the learning so much easier.
I'm sure there is a Roadtrek owners forum someplace (yahoo groups?) you can join too.

You're doing fine , ask about anything you need to and there will be plenty of info flowing your way.

 

[TMG51]

You'd really come see me? I might fake a leak if it's fixed later. Just kidding...but I've never met in person another vandweller!

Sure, it sounds like you're right between FL and AL where I'll be headed through in a few weeks. I prefer to meet new people rather than not, and on top of that, I've made something of a conscious decision to help people I encounter on the road if I'm reasonably able.

Yesterday I stopped and helped a man with a food truck whose battery exploded (the radiator was in the way of removing the exploded battery and new terminals had to be soldered on to the cables). The day before, I stopped to carry a turtle across the road as it had made it halfway into a lane and was hiding from passing cars in its shell. Okay that one wasn't a person but it still caused me no trouble to help.

 

[lterry]

Oh my goshk !
Never feel dumb for not knowing how to use something in your rig.
EVERYBODY has to go through that learning curve .
Plus , there are very many manufacturers that don't all do things the same way.
We're (hopefully) all here to help anyone figure out the various quirks of living on wheels. Some have more experience and some have less.

You're now well on the way getting to know your new rig and also seem to be picking up the skills to fix it up and keep it all working. There are some here who even have the same make vehicle which always makes the learning so much easier.
I'm sure there is a Roadtrek owners forum someplace (yahoo groups?) you can join too.

You're doing fine , ask about anything you need to and there will be plenty of info flowing your way.

Okay, no more feeling stupid! I found a Roadtrek forum and asked to join. When no one responded, I noticed that the last post was in 2013. There's a Yahoo group attached to it, and I suspect it is defunct as well.

 

[highdesertranger]

well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that looks like Polybutylene tubing. this was use in manufactured homes and RV's extensively until 1995. then there was a huge class action suit because the stuff has very high failure rates due to chlorine. the manufacturer(Shell Oil) lost and there was a program in place to replace this tubing at no cost to the user. I believe the program is over. anyhow here's a link, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polybutylene . the recall is at the bottom of the page. sorry, but if that is what you have the only way to fix it is to replace it. highdesertranger

 

[B and C]

I'm not sure what color the hose used to be, it's blue now but I think it used to be green. I don't really care because I was just filling it to see what, if anything, leaked. There's no way I'd drink that water whether it was from a RV hose or not right now. 

Whoever said they sink link would stop was right. Both are working now and no leaking.

I haven't done that water heater thing yet. It started getting dark.

Thanks EVERYONE for your help!

Here's where the toilet is leaking.

You will want to sanitize your water system when getting ready to use it and that used to be green hose is probably the old garden hose used to wash the sewer hose and such.  In any case, I wouldn't use it for potable water.  Please get the items I linked to before using your system.  Oh, if you search for something from Bob's blog page on Amazon and buy there, he will get a small percentage and it will cost you nothing.  This helps to pay for this site.

The toilet leak appears to be a back flow preventer (safety measure to keep anything in the bowl getting sucked back into fresh water lines).and the rubber part is probably dried up.  Put a rag, sponge or pail under it and flush a few times to make it loosen back up.  That may be all it takes.  Seems to be working out that way for you so far.  It appears this rig has been sitting for quite some time or at least the water system hasn't been used in a while.

Don't postpone that WH maintainence too long.

 

[lterry]

Sure, it sounds like you're right between FL and AL where I'll be headed through in a few weeks. I prefer to meet new people rather than not, and on top of that, I've made something of a conscious decision to help people I encounter on the road if I'm reasonably able.

Yesterday I stopped and helped a man with a food truck whose battery exploded (the radiator was in the way of removing the exploded battery and new terminals had to be soldered on to the cables). The day before, I stopped to carry a turtle across the road as it had made it halfway into a lane and was hiding from passing cars in its shell. Okay that one wasn't a person but it still caused me no trouble to help.

I've helped turtles cross the road a few times. Must be a Florida thing? Maybe it's the swamps....
 Anywho, I'm in Dothan, AL, where most people in a 100 mile radius go for retail therapy. I call it retail hell.

How did the guy manage to explode his battery? I'd like to try and prevent that.