Ever taken a shower and the water felt like it was dribbling out – or just didn’t come out with any force? The same annoyance happens when trying to fill a pot of water, but it takes forever because the water comes out slow.
Like homes, RVS can have water pressure issues. We will walk you through some basic steps regarding how to diagnose the issue and a couple of things you can do about it.
The most important part of beginning to increase the water pressure in an RV is to ensure that you both have water and that the plumbing system is working. Next, we can look at your pumps and consider
Ensuring you have enough water
Have you ever called tech support and the person answering the phone asked to make sure the device is on? That’s where we are going to start.
The most basic action you can take is to ensure that you have enough fresh water available to create pressure. Checking your water level can come from looking at your RV’s gauges to see if you have water, and looking at the tank itself to ensure that you have water available.
It’s also possible that your sensors are wrong and you actually need more water to create the pressure you want. If so, clean your sensors using commonly used methods.
We also suggest checking your water levels first because it’s the easiest and cheapest fix to make!
Troubleshooting issues with water
Once you know that you have enough water in your fresh water tank, you may also want to find out if the issue is related to your water or incoming fresh water.
Some RVs have the ability to connect directly to a water line to bring in fresh water.
Try turning on the water while connected directly to water. Then try turning on the water with your fresh water tank only. See if you have a pressure difference.
If you discover that the issue is with the water you are connected to, the good news is that it’s probably not your fault. You should ask the water supplies what’s happening.
Checking inside your RV for water pressure
The easiest way to see if issues within your RV plumbing system are the culprit is to find them and take a look.
Your RVs water pipes will be in cabinets and behind panels. Consulting your RV manual might also be beneficial here.
What are you looking for? Obvious cracks or leaks. Having a cracked or worn out pipe can reduce the water pressure throughout your RV, especially if it’s close to the freshwater source.
If you have an issue, you’ll see a puddle or dripping. Even drips can have a big impact on how quickly water flows through.
Replacing a water line is also relatively easy. You won’t find the step by step on this page, but turning off the water and replacing the line is easier to most people than it is in a normal house.
Clogged filters and your RV water pressure
Most RVS have a water filter system designed to filter your water of contaminents before they get into your actual water supply. These are helpful as you could be filling up with water in a different place from time to time.
A clogged filter can slow the process of moving your water. Check with your RV manual first, but you can generally remove the lid from the water filter system and check to see if the filter itself is clogged.
A clogged filter is amongst the easiest fixes. Either getting a new filter or cleaning the existing one can help dramatically.
Your RV water pump
Here is one significant difference between your home and your RV. Your home probably does not have a water pump because it uses gravit. Your RV probably needs a water pump because the supply is below the RV, and it’s not always running.
The RV water pump can weaken and stop working, making immediate issues for your water pressure.
The best way to measure how much water your water pump is actually pumping is to use a pressure gauge.
Instead of a pressure gauge, you can also check filling something up. First, determine how many gallons per minute your water pump can handle. On average, RV water pumps can move 3.5 to 5 gallons per minute.
Get your fresh water tank full. Grab gallon containers. Try to see how many containers can be filled in one minute. If the water pump is slower than it says it should be, you might want to maintain it.
The pump might actually be running at full capacity, but is still not strong enough for you. Consider upgrading the pump if you discover your water pressure standards are high for your pump.
Another way to know the strength of your pump is to prime it or turn it on, then check the water pressure at the furthest faucet or showerhead from the water source. Water might not be reaching across the RV with the speed and pressure you desire.
Conclusion
Low water pressure can be annoying. Low water pressure can also be a sign of issues within your RV and its ability to deliver water. Checking to make sure you have enough water to create pressure is an essential first step.
You’ll then want to move onto checking your water filter and your pipes. RV owners may also want to note if just the internal water system or outside water are flowing properly.
Moving forward, we hope you use our article to find the problem so you can enjoy showers and sinks that have water that move with a bit more force.