Toilet leaking...

[Skater]

Since we've owned our camper, the slide valve at the bottom of our Dometic Aqua Magic (I think that's what it is - it's the stock toilet) toilet has been leaking - that is, if you put water in it and let it sit, it'll slowly drain into the tank. We figured it wasn't critical, so it's on the list to fix if we ever need to take the trailer into a shop for other work.

However, on our most recent trip, we noticed the floor around the toilet was wet. Since the water pump wasn't running at random intervals, I'm confident it's not a leak in the fresh water system.

My theory is that it's a second leak - that is, the line between the foot pedal valve and the bowl is leaking a bit. Does that make sense? Or is it more likely related to the first leak? I should mention we adopted a kitten that LOVES the spot behind the toilet (ugh) and maaaaay have damaged the plastic hose in the back of the toilet. (However, I don't know when the leak started; we just noticed it on the last trip, and then only because the kitten was in that spot. It isn't a lot of water, just a bit around the base of the toilet.)

If it is a separate leak, is it worth fixing both leaks? We were pricing out new toilets and found they aren't that expensive, and ours just looks old. If we're in for, say, $100 to fix both leaks, it's probably worth just replacing the toilet altogether.

[RickDavis]

Could the second leak be from the kitten??
As far as the leaking gasket on the bowl they aren't expensive.
A little vaseline around the edges will usually make the bowl hold water for a while.
None of it should be hard or costly to fix

[Bill M.]

We put a new toilet in our 87. Looks and works a lot nicer than the old one. Plus I could raise the height with the new one when I installed it. One of the better changes we have made.

Yes, there is often a leak around the inlet line or between the inlet and the valve. Some models you can change the seal inside.

[dznf0g]

I had a Thetford Bravura (not sure if they are similar in construction) but a leak like you describe was at the gasket between the bowl and the throat/valve assembly. IIRC, the kit was about $75 and a new Dometic ceramic bowl, taller toilet was about $130. I chose to replace.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

Could the second leak be from the kitten??

LOL...no, I'm pretty sure it was just water.

Unfortunately it's hard to get in to figure out the source of the leak on the floor. And it's winterized right now, so I won't be able to tackle the job until springtime. I'll just have to dig out my inspection mirror and a light and see if I can find the leak while it's sitting at home, rather than when we're out camping with a curious kitten.

If we did replace the toilet with a different model, I'd also worry about the vinyl flooring having a spot that's not covered (it was installed by a PO, I think).

[mefly2]

It is also possible that the water may be draining from the valve (until the pressure goes to zero) either from a sharp tooth penetrating or just from the fastener loosening. Ours had a bit of water in it over the winter from the dealer not blowing out the line; it had frozen and developed a tiny crack resulting in water on the floor even with the pump off.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by mefly2

It is also possible that the water may be draining from the valve (until the pressure goes to zero) either from a sharp tooth penetrating or just from the fastener loosening. Ours had a bit of water in it over the winter from the dealer not blowing out the line; it had frozen and developed a tiny crack resulting in water on the floor even with the pump off.

Yeah, another possibility I forgot before is that I didn't quite get all of the water out while winterizing before that trip (I winterize twice each year - once around Thanksgiving, then we use the camper over Christmas, so I winterize again after that). I'm pretty confident I did get the water out of the toilet, though - it's the easiest part to do, in fact - but who knows.

[Zia]

My water pump run for about two seconds every 10 minutes, does this reflect a very small leak. No visible sign of water leak either outside or inside.

[TG Twinkie]

You could have a small leak but it may be a bad check valve in your pump.
Have you checked all of the low point drains and the pressure relief on the water heater.

[Skater]

Update on this - it's definitely the valve, so I don't think the leak is kitten-related.

We may still just replace the toilet - it's old, that other valve is leaking, and I'm pretty sure I have to remove it anyway to replace the valve. (I don't think I have enough access to replace it without removing the toilet, but maybe I'm wrong.)

[Skater]

Final update: we replaced the toilet with a Dometic 310. Wow, that's an easy easy job! The hardest part was routing the water supply line, requiring two trip to Lowes. Kudos to Airstream for including toilet removal directions in the owner's manual, to my surprise.

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