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Do you know how much water your RV can hold? Well, the average RV holds 48 gallons of fresh water. But, did you know that there are RVs that can hold upwards of 200 gallons?
The amount of water your RV can hold will determine how long you can go without having to refill your tank.
Today, we're going to talk about RV plumbing. We'll discuss everything from the RV basement area to the water pump and pressure regulator.
RV Basement Area
The RV basement is where you'll find the fresh water tank, grey water tank, and black water tank:
- The freshwater tank holds the water that you'll use for drinking, cooking, and bathing;
- The grey water tank holds the water that's been used in the sinks and shower;
- And finally, the black water tank holds the water that's been used in the toilet.
RV Freshwater Tank
The freshwater tank is usually made of polyethylene or steel. It's important to know what your RV's fresh water tank is made of so that you can properly clean and disinfect it.
You should clean and disinfect your RV's fresh water tank at least once a year. That will help prevent bacteria from growing in the tank.
If you want to clean the tank properly, you'll need to empty it and then rinse it out with a bleach solution. To disinfect the fresh water tank, you'll need to fill it with a bleach solution and then let it sit for at least 12 hours.
After 12 hours, you can flush the bleach solution out of the tank by running water through all the faucets in your RV until the bleach smell is gone.
● Filling the RV Freshwater Tank
To fill your RV's fresh water tank, you'll need to connect a hose to a water source. The water source can be a spigot, hydrant, or even a lake or river. Once the hose is connected to the water source, turn on the water and let it flow into the tank until it's full.
● Emptying the RV Fresh Water Tank
To empty your RV's fresh water tank, you'll need to connect a hose to the drain valve. The drain valve is usually located near the bottom of the tank. Once the hose is connected to the drain valve, open the valve and let the water flow out of the tank.
● Maintaining the RV Fresh Water Tank
It's important to maintain your RV's fresh water tank so that it stays clean and bacteria-free. To do this, you should clean and disinfect the tank at least once a year. You can also add a water filter to your RV's fresh water system. This will help remove impurities from the water before it enters the tank.
RV Water Pump
The RV water pump is used to pump water from the fresh water tank to the faucets, shower, and toilet. Most RV water pumps are located in the RV basement area.
● Installing the RV Water Pump
To install the RV water pump, you'll need to first locate the pump. The pump is usually located in the RV basement area.
Once you've found the pump, you'll need to connect a hose to the inlet port on the pump. The inlet port is usually located on the side of the pump.
You have to then connect another hose to the outlet port on the pump. The outlet port is usually located on the top of the pump.
Finally, you'll need to connect a power source to the pump. The power source can be a battery or an electrical outlet.
● Maintaining the RV Water Pump
It's important to maintain your RV water pump so that it stays in good working condition.
To do this, you should regularly check the hoses for leaks and make sure the power source is connected properly.
You should also be bleeding the pump periodically. This will help remove any air from the system and prevent the pump from overheating.
RV Water Heater
The RV water heater is used to heat water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning. There are several different types of RV water heaters:
- Gas water heaters use natural gas to heat water. They are the most common type of RV water heater.
- Electric/liquid propane water heaters use electricity or liquid propane to heat water. These types of water heaters are less common than gas water heaters, but they are more efficient.
- Motor aid water heaters use the engine coolant to heat water. These types of water heaters are less common than electric/liquid propane and gas water heaters, but they are more efficient.
- Tankless water heaters don't have a tank. They heat water on demand. These types of water heaters are becoming more popular because they are more efficient than traditional tank-style water heaters.
Water Pressure Regulator and Water Pressure Gauge
The water pressure regulator is a device that regulates the water pressure in your RV. It's important to have a water pressure regulator because it helps protect your RV plumbing system from damage caused by high water pressure.
How does the water pressure regulator work? Well, the water pressure regulator works by reducing the water pressure to a safe level before it enters your RV plumbing system. Most RV water pressure regulators are adjustable. This means that you can adjust the pressure to meet your needs.
Then you have the water pressure gauge. The gauge is a device that measures the water pressure in your RV. It's important to have a water pressure gauge so that you can monitor the water pressure in your
RV Fixtures
There are several fixtures in an RV: kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet, and shower. The kitchen sink is used for washing dishes. The bathroom sink is used for washing hands and brushing teeth. The toilet is used for, well, you know. The shower is used for bathing.
In Conclusion
That's everything you need to know about RV plumbing! You should now have a good understanding of the different components of the RV plumbing system and how they work together.
We hope that this guide has been helpful. If you're dealing with any plumbing problems even after reading this guide, make sure to contact a professional RV technician for assistance.
Happy RVing!
