Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-24-2014, 11:45 PM   #1
1 Rivet Member
 
2004 16' International CCD
Currently Looking...
encino , California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Freezing Damage, Water Heater?

I made an amateur mistake, I drained the water tank but I did not drain the water heater, when I went to prime the system it labored and I noticed a little bit of water on the floor near the Bed and the closet. This is in the vicinity or the water heater. If I cracked the tank would it leak there. I don't know where to start. Im very handy but Im not sure if I should start tearing things apart or take it to a professional. I have a 2004 16ft bambi. Any ideas, input, greatly appreciated.
resedaheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2014, 12:06 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
J. Morgan's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton , Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
Images: 11
Freezing Damage, Water Heater?

Well plumbing sucks, especially "old work", but that aside it is just a matter of finding the leak and fixing it, since you are handy you can do it if you choose.

First off you need to determine if you broke a pipe or fitting or if the whole heater froze so hard that the tank ruptured.

I would lean toward a cracked pipe or fitting but only a careful inspection will tell for sure.

I think I would try for an easy location with water, if this proves difficult about 40 psi of compressed air in the system and a spray bottle of soap and water might work well,

Good luck!!
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......

J. Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2014, 12:09 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
J. Morgan's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton , Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
Images: 11
Btw, if I were to place seat of the pants odds on what broke, I would give 10 to 1 on a pipe or fitting, hopefully not the tank fittings themselves.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......

J. Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2014, 12:13 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
J. Morgan's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton , Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
Images: 11
Seeing as you are in soCal, I amend my previous post to 80 to 1 pipe or fitting.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......

J. Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2014, 06:30 AM   #5
Rivet Master
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 811
I forgot to drain the tank once in a previous travel trailer and it sat through the winter in Denver, Colorado. The tank itself was undamaged but the drain plug leaked.
The hardest part about finding your leak is getting at it. If the leak is not apparent inside the water heater cabinet, you will have to take the interior of your trailer partially apart to get at it.
In my trailer this is easy; the water heater is under the bed on the roadside and there is a cabinet under the bed.
I would at least diagnose he problem before sending it out for repair. It may be that the leak is in a difficult or impossible place to work on without removing the heater.
handn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2014, 08:37 AM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Wayward's Avatar
 
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Broadway , North Carolina
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 838
If the water heater tank had some water in it but was not under pressure, you may get lucky.

Bypass the water heater (see manual), open the pressure relief, drain it completely, and then re-pressurize your system.
- If the leak stops, it is probably the tank or one of the fittings, plug, or short lines feeding it.
- If the leak continues, it is not the tank and you have some more hunting to do.

Also check your toilet fill valve. I forgot to clear that one winter and it drove me nuts figuring it out because it was leaking just a tiny bit down the water line, under the vinyl, and then under the carpet on the bedroom floor.
__________________
2006 Safari SE FB
2000 F150 4.2L (retired), 2011 F250 6.2L, 2010 ML550, 2000 Excursion 7.3L
Broadway, NC
Wayward is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-27-2014, 12:15 AM   #7
1 Rivet Member
 
2004 16' International CCD
Currently Looking...
encino , California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
ok thanks for all the info, after bypassing the water heater the system pressurized but the pump comes on for about a second every minute or two. so Im trying to track that leak down. with the water heater pressurized it leaks like a sieve. mostly draining outside at the plugs and behind some panels but most of the water leaks on the exterior thankfully. Their is a small amount inside where I pulled off the floorboard in the closet. Im figuring I have to replace the entire heater? Common sense tells me the heater is replaced through the exterior but there is an access pannel in the closet and Im hoping it doesent come out through there because the valves for the water lines would have to be removed. Either way it looks a little tricky. again thanks again for the help.
resedaheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2014, 08:39 PM   #8
1 Rivet Member
 
2004 16' International CCD
Currently Looking...
encino , California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
figured out how to get the water heater out and the tank had indeed burst, headed to airstream tomorrow to try to get a new one. its def a little tricky getting it out because its such a tight squeeze through the exterior opening and the closet is so small I cant get my shoulders in and disconect the plumbing with two hands. ha. good stuff, I feel a sense of accomplishment having it out we shall see how getting the new one in goes!
resedaheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-17-2014, 11:44 PM   #9
Rivet Master
 
J. Morgan's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton , Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
Images: 11
Bummer. Must have gotten colder in SoCal than I thought!

My 80 to 1 one odds could have cost me some real bread....
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......

J. Morgan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2014, 11:40 AM   #10
1 Rivet Member
 
2004 16' International CCD
Currently Looking...
encino , California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
Sorry to confuse trailer was in Oregon last winter
resedaheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2014, 12:14 PM   #11
Site Team
 
Aage's Avatar
 
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa , ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
Images: 25
May I suggest that you alter your profile to add the trailer model and year? That information is often necessary to answer questions you may pose...
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
...John Wayne...........................
Aage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2014, 09:06 PM   #12
Rivet Master
 
TG Twinkie's Avatar
 
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill , Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 5
The OP has a 2004 Bambi.
TG Twinkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2014, 01:40 AM   #13
1 Rivet Member
 
2004 16' International CCD
Currently Looking...
encino , California
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 16
New water heater works great now but a myriad of other problems. galley faucet leaking, lavatory shower won't stop running even after replacing washer seats and pump is leaking a little out the front. guess my hopes of streaming at the beach this weekend are dashed for some more trouble shooting and part locating. Ill get there! thanks to everyone for all the help.
resedaheat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2014, 07:51 PM   #14
4 Rivet Member
 
steverino's Avatar
 
2018 30' Classic
Ivins , Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 424
Images: 9
Every time I read one of these winterization-related threads, I am so thankful I live in the temperate SF Bay Area. My hat's off to all you who cope annually with a real winter season...
steverino is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2014, 04:56 AM   #15
Figment of My Imagination
 
Protagonist's Avatar
 
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over , More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
Quote:
Originally Posted by steverino View Post
Every time I read one of these winterization-related threads, I am so thankful I live in the temperate SF Bay Area. My hat's off to all you who cope annually with a real winter season...
I used to say that about New Orleans, too. Until this winter, where I had to winterize three times between Thanksgiving and now.

Of course, winterizing three times also means that I un-winterized twice to go camping, and given that I've been on five camping trips this winter, I didn't have to re-winterize after every trip, either. But even if you live in an area where freezing temps are vanishingly rare, it doesn't hurt to know how to winterize properly, just in case.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
Protagonist is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Where do I put the switch for my Water Dual fuel Heater? robwok Water Heaters, Filters & Pumps 1 01-30-2012 05:30 PM
Water Heater Drain wlanford Water Heaters, Filters & Pumps 14 01-25-2012 08:12 PM
'73 Original water heater - keep or chuck? Jamiep Water Heaters, Filters & Pumps 2 12-16-2011 01:48 PM
Elect/Propane Water Heater Combo dkottum Plumbing - Systems & Fixtures 4 12-11-2011 05:41 PM
Am I Stupid? Water heater gas and ELECTRIC THEPILL Off Topic Forum 25 10-21-2011 05:08 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.