Oh no..an icicle under my Airstream

[badkat]

Found a small icicle under the water connection compartment. Opened up the hot water heater thingy and the little panel was wet. Had noticed the hot water tank was a little noisier and the water pump seems to run more.

What's up guys?

[NevadaGeo]

Pump is running more because there's a leak letting the pressure off. Leak could be a weak pipe that had been frozen, getting ready to do the big bang for you. Noise could lead you to water burning in the burner compartment in the water heater, if it's gas.

[TG Twinkie]

Is the pressure relief valve on the water heater dripping water? That could be the source of your icicle.

[Alphonse]

Not exactly sure where the ice is or where the "water connection compartment" is on your trailer. Because your pump is running more often, you must have a leak in the pressurized line or system somewhere.

Ditto on the pressure relief valve on the hot water tank as being something you want to look at first. It should be easy to check out and quickly confirm or eliminate it as the source. A burst pipe will usually be split and leak big time. It sounds like you don't have a gusher, just a very slow leak, correct?

[Protagonist]

Pressure relief valve should stay closed unless: (1) you opened it while winterizing to make the water heater drain faster, and forgot to close it again afterwards; or (2) the water heater overheated and made steam. Also, since the pressure relief valve is at the top of the tank, it's unlikely to be the cause of your drip. On the other hand, the water heater drain plug might not have a good seal. That would account for both the drip and the water pressure loss.

On edit— If your water heater is overheating and making steam, that could certainly be the cause of the extra noise, as the water inside boils like a teakettle, as well as the source of the mysterious moisture and water pressure loss.

[badkat]

We have not winterized. We are full-timing. So we are losing water pressure. We just had a water regulator replaced because our trailer had low pressure. Pressure go a lot better. The little black panel with wires is wet but guess could be condensation. Have an mobile RV guy looking at it in a couple of days. Best we could do..everything at Buda TX RV shops are booked. We will be within a mile of one that handles AS service though.

If the water heater is overheating..can that be adjusted or does it have to be replaced?

We do not have a gusher just a constant drip not stream.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by badkat

If the water heater is overheating..can that be adjusted or does it have to be replaced?

Should just be a matter of replacing a thermostat or thermocouple.

[badkat]

The water heater is gas and electric. We mostly use electric.

Checked under cabinet where heater is and there is no water there.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by badkat

The water heater is gas and electric. We mostly use electric.

Thermostat, then. Thermocouple is normally near the gas flame.

[badkat]

Stayed tuned..will let you know what the mobile RV repair guy says tomorrow. Best we can do in Austin, TX. Service depts are booked.

[Wazbro]

If you have had water in the system for a long time it is possible for the air pocket in the water heater to be absorbed and cause the relief valve to leek do to the lack of air pocket not giving the water anyplace to expand.

If this is the problem you would need to shutoff the water and drain some water out of the water heater to allow air in for the expansion pocket.

Some were complaining about this being a common problem with some of the newer gas/electric water heaters

[Foiled Again]

If you use propane a lot, it burns dirty and creates condensation. Your water heater needs to be cleaned and have the soot blown out if there's any sooting around the vents or on the side of the Airstream. Condensation from propane can be a problem though I'd guess the prior posters have it right with the relief valve or drain valve.

Paula

[badkat]

Well the leak is indeed fixed after about 20 minutes at most.

I'll start at the beginning..2 weeks ago we were at a shop for little list of repairs. They noticed our water pressure was low and said the water regulator needed to be changed. They ordered the part so we went back again to have it installed. That bill was about $70.

We left New Orleans area then noticed the leaking.

Now of course we are in the Austin area. Shops are booked so they gave me a mobile guy's #. $100 trip charge and $99 hr. oh well!

He spent about 20 minutes total finding the problem and replacing the washer behind the regulator that was kinda torn up.

No more leaking.

[TG Twinkie]

That's an expensive washer!

[badkat]

You betcha!