Water coming from tubes underneath camper

KilbrideTP · 06-04-2020, 09:56 AM

I have 2 white lines (overflow maybe) right above axles. One has a steady stream of fresh water coming from it. AC is running but condensate is dripping off roof. There is no water in the fresh water tank (verified and emptied prior to this trip).

Anyone know where this water is coming from??

Hot water heater maybe? It's not hot water, it's same temp as cold water that comes out of faucets inside camper.

What should I check?

Thanks
timk

jeffmcpa · 06-04-2020, 09:58 AM

Could the low point drain be open or partially open?

KilbrideTP · 06-04-2020, 10:09 AM

low point drains are further up the frame closer to front door.
they are closed and bone dry.

does anyone know what the white tubes are for?? drain, overflow, etc??

WeRJuliian · 06-04-2020, 10:09 AM

Are you connected to city water?

There is a condition in which the fresh tank can fill up and overflow, if the backflow valve on the pump gets stuck.

KilbrideTP · 06-04-2020, 10:11 AM

I am connected to city water.

how do i check that valve?

RogerR · 06-04-2020, 10:13 AM

Low point drain may be open a bit or the valve is going bad as Jeff above said. Check that first. If it appears off then turn it all the way on and then off. It could have a bit of trash holding it open. Turn city water off and see how soon it stops running. If it stops in a few minutes it could be the fresh water tank overflow. In that case the city water coming in is possibly backing up through the pump. There is a back-flow prevention valve that may need cleaning or replacement. Happens frequently.

WeRJuliian · 06-04-2020, 10:18 AM

If you turn the city water off and it stops, that would be a pointer
Is there water in the fresh tank (don't rely on the gauge, run the pump and see if water comes out of the faucets.
Open the low point drains and see how much comes out...

I don't offer a guarantee, but, in my case, I found that simply running the pump in bursts, a few times, "unstuck" the valve, which had simply got lazy due to not being used in a while.

Grumpy · 06-04-2020, 10:20 AM

That line with the valve is the tank drain and the one leaking water is the tank overflow. Open the white valve and see if you get water out of it. As WeRJullian said sounds like the tank check valve is leaking, or if you have a valve manifold in utility compartment the tank fill valve may not be completely shut.

KilbrideTP · 06-04-2020, 10:26 AM

so....when i left yesterday fresh water tank was empty. this morning it's full. so overflowing water must be coming from there. will shut off city water and see if it stops (which im betting it will).

where is the valve im looking for?

thanks for all the replies guys. you guys are the best.

update:
so water stopped almost immediately when i shut off city water. I do have water in fresh tank and all faucets and pump is working fine. I'm gonna run thru this tank of fresh water and see if the valve "fixes itself" just by running on pump.

thanks again...i've always found this forum a great wealth of knowledge.

WeRJuliian · 06-04-2020, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KilbrideTP

where is the valve im looking for?

Usually attached to, part of, or very close to, the pump itself.
Finding the pump may involve taking things apart. :-P

Screwby · 06-04-2020, 05:11 PM

Your water pump is allowing back flow from the city water down into the freshwater tank. Those are your overflow tubes. Sometimes it’s just a matter of “exercising” your pump for awhile and getting the seals in there all working in proper order. This happens a lot with new units and units that have sat for a long time or haven’t used the pump in a long time.

Since your fresh tank is already full use your pump for awhile and let it get some operational time. If that doesn’t stop it then you’ve got a defective or faulty valve in the pump. Both times I’ve seen this happen just using the pump a little bit fixed it. It’s the reason I run my pump every once in awhile just to keep things fresh.

Sorry....saw you pretty much posted what I just said earlier!

RogerR · 06-04-2020, 05:17 PM

Your low point drains come out the bottom and usually the drain cock is located above it. Go inside to approximately where your drain is located. Do you have a panel possibly with 2 decorative screws. Turn your pump on and off and I bet you will here it behind that panel.

By the way, the make, model and year of your RV and tow are always helpful in getting the most on point advice. Especially like this one question where someone else who has that one can tell you exactly where it is and which to change.
I have mine in my signature below.

Rkamptner72 · 05-14-2023, 10:40 AM

I'm having the same issue however, my fresh water tank is empty. Pump appears to be working fine. When I turn the city water hook-up on it blows directly out the overflow or drain tube not sure which one it is of the 2. I have replaced the drain tube valve several times but the water is coming through so forcefully that it blows off the repairs. I've got a pressure regulator on hose and only turned water on halfway. What do I check now?

Grumpy · 05-14-2023, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkamptner72

I'm having the same issue however, my fresh water tank is empty. Pump appears to be working fine. When I turn the city water hook-up on it blows directly out the overflow or drain tube not sure which one it is of the 2. I have replaced the drain tube valve several times but the water is coming through so forcefully that it blows off the repairs. I've got a pressure regulator on hose and only turned water on halfway. What do I check now?

Sounds like you have a low point drain open.

ggilbert · 05-15-2023, 08:45 PM

I think that is your fresh water tank overflow.

skids · 05-17-2023, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rkamptner72

(snip) I've got a pressure regulator on hose and only turned water on halfway. What do I check now?

Here is an experiment you can do to test your theory. Turn down the flow of water to where it is very slow. Put your thumb over the garden hose and you will feel the pressure build to 50psi or whatever your house supply is. Some water regulators only restrict the flow and not the pressure.

If you have a jet of water, I would bet it is from a low point drain. There is the main fresh tank drain which is a gravity drain, and usually at least two other low point drains which are pressurized if either the city water is on or the pump is on. Several owners have discovered low point drain tubes covered by insulating foam. You might have to dig them out and maybe extend them.

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