RV Water Pressure Problems: How to Find and Fix Them

RV life is an absolute adventure but for this, every RVer ensures that he has a consistent water supply in his home-like vehicle and that the RV plumbing system is working all good. But almost every one of us experiences water pressure issues sometime during RVing. Sometimes, the water pressure alters unfavorably overall within the RV and sometimes you may find drops of water coming out of one of the RV faucets. This can be your kitchen or showerhead. The water pressure may also get high sometimes which is of course another level of problem.

RV Water Pump and Water Pressure

RV water pumps are a useful device for many reasons.

First of all, if you happen to be in a campsite that doesn’t provide a water supply or you are a fan of boondocking, then you will have to rely on an RV freshwater tank and an efficient RV water pump with regular water sources. Because the RV pump runs off the RV’s 12-volt system, you can have access to water in your RV when you want to enjoy camping in the middle of nowhere.  But this is not all a water pump can do for you.

The water pump is also necessary to get the right flow of water in your bathroom, shower, kitchen, or any other water outlet in your RV.  In case your RV pump is faulty, it could adversely affect the water pressure.  In any such case, your premier solution will be repairing or replacing your RV pump.

If you are fortunate to own the latest RV model, you will have an RV water pump already included in your package. The water system and pump work efficiently to meet your daily needs. But when the pump stops working due to wear and tear, you may start facing problems such as low water pressure. 

How Does an RV Water Pump Work?

The RV water pump works to supply water from a localized source to the faucets, showers, bathrooms, sinks, and other water points fixed in an RV. The pump requires electricity and adequate water in your campervan water tank to work. The pump switch is fixed somewhere in your RV and you need to turn it on when you want the pump to start working. 

The benefit of having a water pump in your RV is twofold. One is that it can either act as your main source of water supply or can act as a backup in case the external water supply has too low water pressure. The water pump will turn on and can provide water to the lines from the freshwater tank.

Installing an RV water pump

If you need to install a new RV water pump, follow these steps to easily fix this machine in the rig yourself. 

1. The first step in installing an RV water pump is to drain water from the tanks. Make sure that there is no water left in the tank. You can do it by connecting a hose at the water tank’s base to release all water. Opening drain valves in RV freshwater tanks will help you empty the fresh water tank through the drain cock. You will now need to disconnect your water tank from your water pump.

2. The second step is to remove the old or nonfunctional water pump. You will need to remove all the connected wires too. The hoses connected to the pump also need to be disconnected. All the screws and bolts also need to be removed. Once you are done, you can remove the pump from its place.

3. The third step is to install your new pump. You can secure the new pump in its position with the screwdriver and tighten all the bolts. The inlet and outlet water hose should be connected at this point using the clamps.

4.  The fourth step is to reconnect your pump with a water tank and electricity. Keep in mind to fasten everything tightly. You will have to create a connection of the pump with the RV battery as well.

5. Just as we do testing after fixing a problem, you need to test your newly installed water pump’s function. You can start the RV to see if the pump is working all good. You may experience a sound coming out of your pump. If not, this means you have some problem with the electric connection. You also need to check lines as well as connections for water leaks or holes. You can fill the water tank to some extent,  turn the pump on, open a faucet and you will get the water if you have rightly installed everything.

Water Pressure Problems in RV

RV adventures are full of outdoor fun but if you have low or high water pressure issues in your RV, you may find it difficult to fulfill the necessary chores such as dishwashing or bathing. In case you are caught in any such trouble, you should be prepared to tackle it professionally. The first step is knowing what exactly causes the low and high water pressure issues. Only then will you be able to fix the issues.

What Causes Low RV Water pressure?

Low water pressure means the water comes out of your faucets or showerhead at a comparatively slower or weaker speed and volume than it usually does. In an RV, this situation can cause a high level of inconvenience if you want to drink water, need to brush your teeth, or need some utensils for cooking urgently. Even if it’s not urgent, it’s frustrating to receive water in drops out of your faucets.

For example, you have low pressure in the hot water from gas water heaters or electric water heater lines. This can be frustrating when you want to take a hot water shower or need to clean greasy dishes.  In this scenario, you may need to see your plumbing associated with heat water storage such as a hot water heater, toilet drain, holding tanks, or hot water tank drain valve.

 RV Water Pressure: 5 Steps to Check and Fix

1. Check the Hose Line

Sometimes a bent hose can cause low water pressure. You just need to straighten if any such problem exists to get a lot of water sufficient for your needs.

2. Check the Water Pressure in the Campsite

Use a pressure gauge to determine the water pressure in the campsite. Maybe low pressure is due to the low water pressure on the campsite.  Though a pressure regulator may help in keeping a consistent water pressure it cannot provide the needed force to boost the flow of water. This issue can be solved using a booster pump which can increase water flow in your RV.

3. Check the Water Filter

A water filter is necessary to get an adequate supply of clean drinking water in your RV but this can also be a reason for the low water pressure problems. This is because it may interfere with how water comes to your faucets and fixtures.

If the low water pressure is the result of clogged water filters, then you may need to replace your water filter first. You need to change it for both reasons; clean water and good pressure.  In case you need to replace your water filter or any other plumping parts such as vent pipes, toilet vents, drain vent, wet vent plumbing, or kitchen sink vents, You can get everything online by just searching “Plumbing Parts”.

4. Check the Faucets and Showerheads

If you lose water pressure in one single faucet or a shower, this may be due to problems in the fixture itself and not the water supply. For this, you will need to detach the faucet or showerhead to check for any dirt or debris. In the case of a sink, mostly the culprit is a clogged aerator or clogged cartridge. Clean it well and attach it again. 

5. Find the Leaks

Pressure issues may arise due to some leaks or broken tubes anywhere in the RV. If the connected water valves are fully open, then you need to run a leakage test. Find out and fix the leakage issues by tightening again, using patches, sealants, or replacing. 

6. Check the Plumbing Air Vent

The plumbing vent, also known as a vent stack or plumbing stack is necessary to regulate the air pressure in your RV plumbing system. Just like the drain valves and pipes are essential to remove wastewater from RV, the plumbing vent pipe for plumbing air vents is needed to remove gases and odors. Make sure that this drainpipe on the roof is properly working.  Due to its significant role, you may need to replace the damaged plumbing vent roof. Make sure that you find a quality pipe vent and associated accessories.

Similarly, the air admittance valves are integral parts of an RV plumbing system. AAV valves allow water to flow smoothly and prevent vacuum formation in the plumbing system which may cause water pressure issues.

What Causes High RV Water Pressure?

A water pressure that exceeds the required level pressure can also be a trouble in the long run since it can put a lot of strain on your RV plumbing system. This strain can result in damaging the pipes or leakages. In this situation, it is necessary to make use of pressure regulating tools. This tool will help you adjust the water pressure to a desirable level.

Maintaining safe water pressure in your RV

Depending on your RV model and the condition of your RV water plumbing and parts, the correct level of water pressure may vary. The experts are of the view that your water pressure should be somewhere below 60 psi. 

Conclusion

To maintain a perfect level of water pressure in your RV, make sure your water pump is in a good condition. If it’s obsolete, you can install a new water pump yourself following the instructions mentioned above. Before installing a new one, consider going for reliable brands to choose any RV plumbing parts.  Other reasons for water pressure problems may be air in the lines, dirt in the fixtures, bent hose, or water filter. Determining the exact problem is necessary to figure out options to solve problems.

If the problem is a depleted plumbing part such as a plumbing vent pipe, a wet vent,  a floor drain with a backwater valve, or any other plumbing-related accessory, you can visit an online RV Part Shop.