Water pipes leaking beneath RV

[DorseyMD]

I've searched the forums for hours and can't find a solution for this issue in my particular Airstream. I hope someone can offer insight and advice.

I have a 1996 Airstream LandYacht. I'm bot positive of the configuration but the shower is behind the closet on the passenger side. The restroom is behind the kitchen galley on the driver's side and the bedroom is in the rear.

The problem is water pours out of the bottom rear when I attach a hose and run water into the fresh water tank or use the external water hook-up.

It happened after the water pump filter (located beneath the bed) burst while I was staying in the RV last January. It flooded the bedroom and part of the hallway before I got it to stop. It also shorted the electrical control board so I had no power (the box was submerged in water in the outside rear compartment.)

I called my insurance company because I could not drive the vehicle. They towed it to a repair shop who took several weeks to repair the electrical and replace the pump filter along with a few fittings and a section of pipe.

Several months later, I hooked water up to test the system prior to a trip and noticed the leaks. I assume they didn't drain the fresh water system while it sat in their yard awaiting repair, and water froze in the tank and pipes.

I already contacted the repair shop and my insurance company and neither will accept responsibility so I am on my own.

I have no idea where to begin. Do I rip up the floor (there is a soft spot outside the restroom from the flooding that needs to be addressed) or do I remove the aluminum belly pan to gain access since I will likely need to repair/replace the freshwater tank also? Both? If I opt not to replace the tank, can all the pipes be accessed from the floor that I already need to replace? Thanks in advance for any insight.

[dbj216]

I read your leak starts when you are filling the fresh water tank. There is likely a flex hose from the fill port to the freshwater tank. Maybe that hose has come disconnected or broken for some reason.

So if you connect a hose to the "city water" connection and pressurize the plumbing without the pump on or water in the fresh tank, does the leak appear under the rear of the trailer? I assume all the plumbing to the broken filter has been repaired. This test will eliminate a plumbing leak from inside the rig.

I assume all the fresh water plumbing is located above the subfloor so it can be heated when using the rig in sub freezing temps. So access ought to be somewhat accessible. But the hose to the freshwater tank is likely in the freshwater tank compartment. So maybe the compartment can be removed from underneath and you can investigate the cause of the leak.

Others more familiar with your rig than me will hopefully chime in.

David

[vintage6t]

Check the easy thing first. Specifically are your winterizing drain valves closed? If open water will drain right out the bottom of the RV just as you describe.

In my 2005 Landyatch, which has a similar floor plan to yours, the valves are under the bed. They are accessed from a panel at the foot of the bed that exposes the pump, valves, and circuit breaker panel.

[DorseyMD]

Originally Posted by vintage6t

Check the easy thing first. Specifically are your winterizing drain valves closed? If open water will drain right out the bottom of the RV just as you describe.

In my 2005 Landyatch, which has a similar floor plan to yours, the valves are under the bed. They are accessed from a panel at the foot of the bed that exposes the pump, valves, and circuit breaker panel.

I don't know how those valves got open, if it was me in my haste to stop the leak during the incident or if the repair shop opened them and didn't close them, but that was the issue! You are a lifesaver!

Now the cold water works. I just need to hook up power and see if hot side will work. I love this forum!

[vintage6t]

Glad to here that's all it was.