In your home away from home, you need running water so you can use the bathroom, bathe, do dishes, and prepare food. And while the plumbing in your mobile home may not be exactly the same as the one in your physical home, it has some similarities. Consider this article your guide to everything you need to know about RV plumbing.
How Does RV Plumbing Work?
One of the first things you may find yourself wondering is how plumbing works in an RV. Unlike a house, this is mobile. So, where does water come from, and more importantly, where does it go? Each part of your RV water system works to complete a different job and pumps water to other areas through the piping system.
As said, the RV water system in your RV has some similarities to that in your house. For instance, you have a faucet in both, but in your RV, the faucet connects to the RV water line with flexible tubes instead of metal pipes. While the black tank is for sewage, the grey tank is for all other water.
Keep Your RV Plumbing Parts Clean
Take care of your water system. This includes hoses, pipes, the water tank, and more. If you notice the water coming from your faucet is anything but clear, then you’ll need to dump the dirty water and clean out the RV water system tank.
Another area to keep clean is your sewage. Every time you flush the toilet, the waste goes into a specific holding tank. Always empty this and other water tanks at the appropriate dumpsites; luckily, most campgrounds have one.
Understand the Main RV Plumbing Parts
In your RV plumbing system, there are a few major areas you need to know about to ensure a proper understanding. Learning about each of these parts helps you care for your mobile home since parts wear out over time and may require replacements. Some of these vital areas include the:
Likewise, a freshwater supply is among the most important things you need for any trip, and you need to fix any problems with your water system as soon as possible.
The Fresh Water Tank
RVs have an RV water tank that owners fill with fresh water. This means your water supply has a limit, and you may need to refill it when you go RVing.
You’ll hook up a hose designed for RVs in this water system when filling it with fresh water. Keep in mind that this hose should stay with you when you’re on the road, so you may want to keep it in the storage compartment to make it easy when you need to refill at campsites.
Pro-Tip
Ensure the hose you use is food-grade safe, since anything else could add toxic chemicals into your water supply. And keep this separated from other hoses—you wouldn’t want to mix it up with your gardening hose or other plumbing parts by mistake.
Water Pumps
While the water tank holds and supplies you with fresh water for each voyage, your water pump distributes it throughout the vehicle. This means you need a system that has the right amount of pressure. With too little pressure, water will dribble from fixtures like sinks and showers, but with too much, it rushes out.
Typically, water pumps are electric, but you can buy one that’s solar-powered if you’re looking for something eco-friendly. Note that when you purchase an electric pump, you want one with a higher number, since this means it’ll push out water quicker.
Don’t Neglect Maintenance
Take care of your water pump, which is essential to maintaining the RV water line, so it lasts and does not have to overwork. Many seasoned RVers recommend checking the piping connected to the pumps for clogs. If you notice debris or clogs, remove them.
Water Heater
Nobody likes taking a cold shower. Whether your water heater is gas-powered or electric, it will heat up the water pumped through your RV. Some RVers even get tankless water heating systems to save room in their RV so they can pack more gear for excursions!
As you shop around for a water heater for your RV, keep in mind that all water heaters are different. Some work much quicker than others. But before you buy one, evaluate the benefits of each, as well as their price points.
Pipes and Drains
Another key area to understand is, of course, your pipes and the RV sink drain. As we mentioned, the piping system in an RV differs from that in a house since it isn’t metal. Your pipes and drains carry water from fresh tanks to you, and then into the appropriate waste tank.
As a word of warning, don’t use home cleaners on a clog in your RV, especially in sensitive areas like the RV sink drain, as they’ll damage the plumbing system. When there’s a clog in your motorhome, you’ll probably have to remove it by hand.
Pro Tip: Get Baking Soda
One of the many essentials RV experts recommend you always have handy is banking soda. Not only does it keep things smelling fresh, but you can also use it for cleaning!
Other Things To Note
While it’s not necessarily required, you may want to add a filter to the RV water tank to keep drinking fresh water. Otherwise, the water could soak up different odors or even tastes.
Also, remember you need to save water when you’re on the road, which includes checking all RV plumbing parts for leaks or inefficiencies. Some of the luxuries like long hot showers just aren’t doable when your supply has a limit. Likewise, take care of the faucets and look out for leaks. You wouldn’t want to wastewater, especially when there’s a simple solution. If you notice you need replacement RV plumbing parts, shop our selection at RV Parts Center!
Consider the Season
Depending on your location, you may have to winterize your RV. Regardless of the season, dump the water tanks if you don’t plan on hitting the road anytime soon. In winter specifically, you’ll also want to dry out your hoses and pipes. It’s also a good idea to add water system antifreeze into the appropriate system to prevent it from freezing.
Understanding everything you need to know about RV plumbing helps you take proper care of your RV’s water system. Remember to tend to each part and empty tanks at the appropriate designated locations. Keep your RV adventure worry-free by shopping our wide selection of parts at RV Parts Center. We’ve got just about all the replacement parts you need for your RV—from mirrors to plumbing. And as far as motorhome plumbing goes, we sell everything from water pumps to winterizing kits! Get out and explore the open road!
