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Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

December 06, 2021, 10:09:24 pm

A few minutes ago one of my water alarms went off (side note, these are a must have, buy them if you do not have them already, they have saved me 3 times so far in 6 months). This one was placed on the curb side of the water pump. Upon inspection, there is some water on the bottom around the fresh water tank and pump. Not a lot but enough to cause a small flow that the alarm went off.

The source is the top (inlet?) of the water heater. It's dripping at the 90 degree connection where it attaches to the hose adapter. It is colder here so maybe there is a gasket that has shrunk? I drained the water heater so it stops. See pics.  First is of the access panel on the curb side from the large storage bay. Second is closer up

Anyway, 2 questions.
1- how can I bypass the water heater? Is there a valve I can turn so I can still use water but not go into the heater?
2- I am not familiar with this fitting, how can I repair this? it will be tight, but can I do it from this access hole? I REALLY rather not have to pull the water heater, ugh.

As usual, TIA.

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #1 – December 06, 2021, 11:08:13 pm

You should be able to reach through the hole and see if the fitting is loose, also the cone gasket on that fitting is replaceable. In my case the fitting was cracked, got a shark bite 1/2 " to 1/2"fmpt and cut the old one off. Also if you change the cone gasket as tight as you can get with you fingers is tight enough. All done through the access hole

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #2 – December 06, 2021, 11:59:32 pm

Thanks, I feel silly as I didn't think of trying to tighten it, but that seemed to be it. I'll monitor. It did take a quarter turn, guessing the weather caused rubber to shrink.

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #3 – December 07, 2021, 08:46:27 am

You probably have several of the same type water pipe connectors in various places on your coach.  Whenever that type fitting is disconnected, OR if it starts leaking, it is a good idea to replace the cone seal with a new one.  I keep a bag of 1/2" cone seals in my spare parts kit.  I got mine from RVUpgrades about 7 years ago after reading posts by Don (link below).  Do a Google search - you may find a better price elsewhere.

Water line seals needed..!

Flair-It F06435 Santoprene Swivel Seal - 1/2"

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #4 – December 07, 2021, 09:08:58 am

Thanks!  I am not aware how that connection works and couldn't find anything last night. I will read that link and buy spares.

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #5 – December 07, 2021, 11:06:01 am

Keep an eye on it, if you have to keep tightening it it's likely the fitting is cracked. I'll see if I can find the shark bite replacement fitting and post a picture. Quick and easy fix.

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Reply #6 – December 07, 2021, 12:14:37 pm

In a bind or even as a permanent fix in the right place I trust those shark bites. I use them to cap of water lines in houses that I am remodeling all the time. The current project has 12 of them in use until the plumbing is all reworked. Come in handy all the time when I need to keep a homeowner up and running in one part of the house while I tear out another. In all my years of using them I think I have had one leak. That is after hundreds of uses.

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Re: Water Heater is Dripping, Need Help Stopping it

Reply #7 – December 07, 2021, 01:11:31 pm

When I put in the hot water recirculation system I mostly used the clamps but
one fitting I couldn't get at so I used a sharkbite. The only disadvantage of sharkbite
is they are more expensive.

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