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02-25-2021, 04:02 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
2019 28' Flying Cloud
Dripping Springs
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 328
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How to check for post-winter leaks?
So as you know I didn't "winterize" when the Texas siberian storm hit:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...en-219366.html
Everything has thawed now, it was 75F yesterday. (Today is a paltry 55F )
Anyway, I pulled our poor baby out of storage. I don't have pink stuff in there, I only emptied the tanks.
What steps to take next? Fill up the tank, then what? I don't know where the pipes go or how to check for leaks.
Thanks
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02-25-2021, 04:18 PM
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#2
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Fill the fresh water tank, turn on the pump and see what happens. If the pump continues to run on and off after the system pressurizes, you have a leak. If so start looking for dripping water in all cabinets.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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02-25-2021, 05:23 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2019 30' International
Pennsylvania
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,234
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x2 what mojo said.
Maybe do it on a paved surface driveway so you can see if/where it may be dripping underneath. Might help in location of a leak if there is one.
__________________
If you ain't havin' fun you ain't doin' it right
2017 Ford CCSB F250 XLT 6.2L Gas 4x4 Ruby
2019 International Serenity 30 Rear Twin
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02-25-2021, 05:23 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Rochester
, WASHINGTON
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 631
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Look under your sinks, any lines or sink/ tub traps you can see.If nothing seems to be wet or dripping, you might have got lucky.
Same around water heater, outside at door for water tank gas lines.
I would avoid filling with any water now, wait till no chance of freezing again.Unless your going to use it soon,then fill and test pump like suggested above.
Just because winter storm over, doesn't mean it can't happen again
__________________
Airstream rodeo clown, it's my turn in the barrel 🤡
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02-25-2021, 05:37 PM
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#5
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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I favor using compressed air and monitor the plumbing just like new home construction roughed in plumbing is tested. Not hard to make a combo pressure leak down and blow out tool.
Air also cleans up pretty easy.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-25-2021, 05:44 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,068
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
Fill the fresh water tank, turn on the pump and see what happens. If the pump continues to run on and off after the system pressurizes, you have a leak. If so start looking for dripping water in all cabinets.
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Yep.
A leak will find you.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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02-26-2021, 09:23 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
2016 28' International
Trois-Rivieres
, Quebec
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 696
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Don't forget the toilet pedal valve, very likely to have a hairline crack; no gushing water but enough to damage the floor over time. The good news is that the valve is pretty easy to replace, easier still if you remove the toilet for better access.
__________________
2016 International Signature CCD, RBQ, Dual A/C, 28'
2018 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD, 4x4, Crew Cab, Duramax Diesel, Leer cap
Lift kit, 16" wheels, Michelin Agilis CC LT
DIY Solar: 500W Renogy panels, AM Solar hdw, Blue Sky MPPT controller, 470ah Rolls battery bank, 2000W Renogy inverter.
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02-26-2021, 09:50 AM
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#8
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Silver Star
1970 23' Safari
Victoria
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 352
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GCinSC2
I favor using compressed air and monitor the plumbing just like new home construction roughed in plumbing is tested. Not hard to make a combo pressure leak down and blow out tool.
Air also cleans up pretty easy.
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I agree totally ....no water mess ...you can monitor the pressure and easy to rig up. You may have hidden leak that soaks insulation etc and ends up being a bigger PIA.
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02-26-2021, 09:54 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
North Fort Myers
, Florida
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 59
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Not winterized
Use air before you make a mess and ruin something. Get a winterizing plug that screws into your water connection, fill with air up to about 30 psi. Then keep checking with air gauge that you use for checking tires. If it holds, you're good!
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-36153-B...358399&sr=8-29
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02-26-2021, 10:11 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rucos
I agree totally ....no water mess ...you can monitor the pressure and easy to rig up. You may have hidden leak that soaks insulation etc and ends up being a bigger PIA.
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Bingo!
Wet insulation buried in the walls/floor would defeat the benefits of using just water first IMO.
And the chances are quite good [IMO] that there is at least one broken line in the walls, near the outdoor shower valves, or behind the city water intake and pressure regulator there.
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02-26-2021, 10:24 AM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
Cedar Hill
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 59
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I have a question, for myself and possibly for Kalashnikov. How much air pressure? I "assume"40 psi, but we all know what "assume" spells.
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02-26-2021, 10:26 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Rochester
, WASHINGTON
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 631
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fthopkins
I have a question, for myself and possibly for Kalashnikov. How much air pressure? I "assume"40 psi, but we all know what "assume" spells.
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40 psi on the air seems to be the go to for pressure testing.Dont go higher.
__________________
Airstream rodeo clown, it's my turn in the barrel 🤡
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02-26-2021, 10:34 AM
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#13
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Using air can help detect a leak if the compressor starts and stops, but it can be hard to find the leak of air if it is not accessible. Dripping water is pretty easy to find and if you catch it early, is not going to cause damage. If the leak is in the wall, the water will find it's way out rather quickly.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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02-26-2021, 10:36 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mojo
Using air can help detect a leak if the compressor starts and stops, but it can be hard to find the leak of air if it is not accessible. Dripping water is pretty easy to find and if you catch it early, is not going to cause damage. If the leak is in the wall, the water will find it's way out rather quickly.
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. . . and soak all the insulation inside that wall, and possibly the insulation under the floor in the belly pan? [Please see Post #10]
No thanks.
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02-26-2021, 10:40 AM
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#15
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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I had to do a way back search for the combo blow out pressure test tool I made.
See post 10 for pic.
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44...air-60222.html
Gary
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-26-2021, 10:41 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Nice!
Looks like all the parts are pretty standard at a good hardware store?
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02-26-2021, 10:42 AM
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#17
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Thanks Peter, that's it and still used for each winterization.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-26-2021, 12:29 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
2013 30' International
SAN ANTONIO
, TX
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 41
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I will be doing the same thing this weekend as I got caught in the Texas weather unprepared. The question I have is should I fill the fresh tank and use the pump to look for leaks or can I just hook up to the city water connection and check that way? Would they return the same results? I may even try the air method but just trying to educate myself as I’m new to Airstreams. Thanks in advance.
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02-26-2021, 12:41 PM
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#19
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Site Team
2007 30' Classic S/O
Somewhere
, South Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,436
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Joey
If H2O is the only option using the pump will signal you because it will indicate a leak by cycling w/o you opening a faucet etc. Using city water supply will just leak leak leak and then you'll see the oops as opposed to hearing the pump respond to the leak.
Might be time to consider making the blow out / leak down tool unless you'll never be in a potential freezing condition again.
Looks like several states got caught in the it's don't happen here situation.
Gary
And air don't make a mess.
__________________
S/OS #001 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L 6 Speed
16" Michelins, Hi Spec Wheels, Max Brake, Dexter 4 Piston Disc Brakes, Carslile Actuator, Equal-I-Zer, Dill TPMS. Campfire cook. BMV-712. DEMCO 21K Lb Cast Iron coupler
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02-26-2021, 01:01 PM
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#20
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OTRA15
. . . and soak all the insulation inside that wall, and possibly the insulation under the floor in the belly pan? [Please see Post #10]
No thanks.
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Well if it is already leaking, then it is already wet. Everything will dry out eventually.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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