Leaky Hot Water Heater?

[soohma]

As I was cleaning out the RV after my last trip, I noticed that the area around the hot water heater was damp. I felt down there and didn't feel water, just dampness in the area.


Any clue what might be the problem?

[rowiebowie]

Damp inside or outside?

[soohma]

It's damp inside. There's insulation around it, but also some cardboard duct taped and that's damp. The bottom of it that I can reach feels damp also, but not the surrounding carpet.

[rowiebowie]

That helps a bit. Can you post your year/make/model so someone with the same van can advise. A picture of the area would help as well.

[markopolo]

It could be a leak at the tank inlet or outlet (take apart & add teflon tape) or failed/failing tank (replace water heater). Suburban brand tanks are made of steel (uses sacrificial anode) and the ceramic coating can fail and rusting begins and that eventually leads to tank failure.

[soohma]

It's a 1997 Coach House with original everything as far as I know. I think I've attached a picture. The yellow is insulation, the brown on either side is the damp cardboard.

[GallenH]

Is all the piping dry? My toilet had a leak at one of the pex fittings so they can eventually leak. By drying everything off you may be able to spot the leak just waiting and feeling around for the leak to reappear. Otherwise, what markopolo said.

[ballbraindogs]

Perhaps it is your Pressure Relief Valve.
Did you actually turn the heat on your water heater?
Recently, I had a problem with my water heater when I turned the heat on and water gushed out of the Pressure Relief Valve. The valve looks very old (probably the original).
I am having it replaced next week.

Nancy
2000 Pleasure Way Excel TD

[themexicandoctor]

Just replaced my pressure relief valve while I was installing the new fridge we checked the anode rod & my rv guy said the. Valve wasn't working - upon opening the mechanism you could see the mineral buildup which inhibits the action.

While occasionally the water pump would cycle on, I never noticed any water leaking though.

Could any water including rain have entered the external grill?

Could a rogue lawn sprinkler have hit the side?

[soohma]

I rarely turn the hot water heater on and I have had my pressure valve replaced in the last few years, so probably not that, Nancy.

[soohma]

themexican doctor, I don't think that's the problem. I have an appointment on the 21st to have them look at and hopefully fix it. I'll let you all know what the problem was just in case you run into it also.


Thanks so much for all your help.

[themexicandoctor]

Sure.

BTW, does the Water Pump cycle on & off if you leave it on for fot 30 minutes or so?

Sometimes a relief valve in the shower can be a issue.

[soohma]

I never leave the water pump on that long. i just turn it on and off as needed. This coming trip will be the first time I've used the (very tight quarters) shower in a long time. Good old virus causing that, of course.

[themexicandoctor]

I love RV showers.

The "stand in the aisle one" in my 190 is such a pleasure to use. You sound very disciplined. I too, rarely turn the heater on, in the summer for sure.

So many silver linings to Covid.

Since I added the DC Fridge (the Dometic RM2354 was set on 5 its last 12 months of torture), even with cooking I barely use the propane versus having to purcfase an average 6-7 gallons every 21 days. Now I could go at least 45 - 90 days now.

[avanti]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

Sometimes a relief valve in the shower can be a issue.

What kind of "relief valve"? I'm not familiar with this.

[themexicandoctor]

This innocuous device;

[avanti]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

This innocuous device;

???

Are you talking about a leaky faucet?
A leak ANYWHERE will cause OP's symptoms. Not sure I would call it a "relief valve", though.

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by avanti

???

Are you talking about a leaky faucet?
A leak ANYWHERE will cause OP's symptoms. Not sure I would call it a "relief valve", though.

I know firsthand what a hot water tank's relief valve.

If mine was leaking, i never saw it until we repressurised the tank & even if my unit did leak, because of my van's configuration, it woulf not enter the area around the tank like the OPS.

However maybe such a leak, in her unit, would.

But I am more than open, even suggesting it could have been an errant lawn sprinkler.

Or an incompetent pex fitting.

Or even a leaking faucet or water supply in any fittings above the heater.

[themexicandoctor]

Originally Posted by themexicandoctor

This innocuous device;

That is a shower fitting, I don't think that would be leaking water into her water cabinet. In a 190 for sure it would be impossible as the shower is on the other side of the rig.

The good thing, its a small & innocuous leak & in less than a month, a professional will diagnose & repair it.

Trying to help & to be honest, I do not believe in the terms "innocuous, water leak, inside a van" belong in the same sentence without causing a mild alarm at least.

[avanti]

I agree that a relief valve could be the issue. It is the "...in the shower" part of your comment that confuses me, as does the picture of a shower faucet.