How To Repair Fresh Water Tank On 1991 Southwind 30

When something goes incorrect with plumbing in your house, the "logroller" can be at your door within a couple of hours. But when y'all discover a leak in your plumbing, it's that not unproblematic.

Not besides many plumbers make RV firm calls. Whether y'all're on the road as a snowbird or find a problem while prepping your RV for spring, getting a repair washed at a service facility could mean days, even weeks, just waiting for an appointment. That's an untenable situation, peculiarly for snowbirds.

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In that location are a serial of waterlines in an RV and ensuring quality tubing is recommended. Photograph courtesy TG Twinkie, airforums.com member

In many cases, a interruption or leak in an RV h2o supply line is ofttimes a literal snap to repair. That's because the h2o lines in most RVs are plastic "PEX" pipage. They are not cached inside walls and are commonly accessible for easy repair. PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene.

Typically, this pipage is connected using a special tool and metal fittings that tin can complicate the fixing procedure for RVers. The good news is y'all tin can skip the tool altogether. Instead, utilise a variety of plastic fittings, some of which snap the stuff together, making repairs quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive.

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In RVs, manufacturers typically use translucent non-colored PEX for all runs.

What is PEX tubing for the plumbing in my RV?

PEX tubing in homes is color-coded for hot and cold. In RVs, manufacturers typically use translucent not-colored PEX for all plumbing runs.

Further, two sizes are used, 3/8-inch and ½-inch. These are the standard size because the outside bore of the tubing is about 1/8-inch greater than the called-for size. Also, PEX is cheap. At one hardware store, bulk 3/8-inch may set yous back 50 cents/human foot.

Additionally, PEX is ideal for both cold and hot water (some up to 200 degrees) plumbing. Typically, the rating is on the tubing itself. Chlorinated water is not an outcome in terms of tubing or health safe.

What tools practise I need?

While working on water lines, you lot just need a tool to cut the PEX tubing itself. You can use a utility knife, but a tubing cutter designed for PEX ensures a clean, even border.

This is also a requirement for a leak-proof connection. These cutters are less than $ten. I unremarkably go with a PVC piping cutter, which makes a clean edge and tin exist used on PVC pipage as well.

Fittings that are required

When yous need to alter out your water lines, there are a variety of different fittings bachelor. They range from uncomplicated couplers that allow you to fix a break to tees that are for jobs when adding a new run.

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The fractional assembly of the tubing in place over the flare. The next step is to tighten the nut.

Others include adapters that permit you to shift from 1 size of tubing to some other. Want to add a shut-off valve to turn the water off to your toilet (or any) without shutting down the whole RV supply?

There are fittings for that, too. Hither are a couple of styles particularly useful to RVers when it comes to plumbing:

Plastic pinch fittings: A make institute in many hardware stores is Flair-It. These are relatively inexpensive. We bought a iii/8-inch tee plumbing fixtures in a small-boondocks hardware store, but you can also find them on Amazon. Only, cut the tubing squarely and ensure at that place aren't whatever burrs on the tube. Unscrew the nut from the plumbing fixtures, and slide it back over the tubing. Now, push button the tubing over the fitting flare, rocking it back and along until it comes to a full stop against the fitting. Then, tighten the nut past hand until secure. Need to take it apart? But reverse the order of assembly instructions.

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The assembled tubing inserted into the fitting. (*Note: The tube stiffener not visible as it'southward inside the fitting)

So, what are advantages of this? They are less expensive than quick-connect fittings. Withal, the disadvantages are when you are working in a cramped area.

It can exist a flake difficult to maneuver your easily in identify to shove the tubing onto the fitting and to tighten the nut.

Quick-Connect fittings: Fabricated by Watts, these are a piffling more costly. A 3/viii-inch coupler for joining two pieces of tubing is effectually $iv.00. Using these fittings in a cramped expanse is much easier. Once more, cut the tubing square and check for burrs. Slide the included "tube stiffener" into the finish of the tubing until there's resistance. Now, go on pushing until the tubing comes to a complete stop. Finish the chore by inserting the included collet clip on the joint.

To take this connector apart, remove the collet clip. And so, push the collet firmly against the tubing face and pull the tubing out of the plumbing fixtures.

Aside from an easier set in a cramped space, there's less water catamenia impediment in this design, as opposed to the plastic pinch fashion. Both insert material into the flow, but the tube stiffener appears to block less water menstruation.

Additionally, the Watts fittings allow yous to attach to a host of other plumbing materials, including copper and CPVC. What's more than is the quick-connect fittings and the plastic compression fittings volition connect direct to polybutylene tubing.

You may discover other brands of quick-connect fittings to encounter your needs likewise. Some of the larger stores sell other brands of fittings, and of course, price comparing is the order of the day.