Water leak

Topic: Water leak (Read 1123 times) previous topic - next topic

Water leak

October 03, 2021, 02:44:03 pm

Has anyone ever experienced a water leak that saturates the entire kitchen floor and livingroom floor ?? If so what was the issue ? We was told it's the toilet but how can the toilet cause wet floors as bad as ours the white stuff is baking soda it smells so bad in here like sewer water, could it be sewer water, I have been so sick and stressed over all this and the last picture shows you how wet the floors was I had to keep replacing rugs and towels to soak the water up

We have a 1990 foretravel unihome.

Re: Water leak

Reply #1 – October 03, 2021, 03:59:55 pm

Yes! On a previous coach, the plastic water line to the ice maker failed, which allowed the water pressure pump to empty the entire contents of the water tank onto the floor.

Re: Water leak

Reply #2 – October 03, 2021, 04:10:35 pm

And now we have one of the reasons the water supply, be it by onboard pump or city supply should be shut off when not on board..
Also, another reason to be thankful that Foretravel uses 3/4" marine grade plywood and NOT USB that would swell and make the flooring useless!
(Don't ask how I know)

Re: Water leak

Reply #3 – October 03, 2021, 04:22:10 pm

BTW, we wired a switch controlled piezo sounder in the kitchen that lets us know when water pump is running, with the idea if it seems to be pumping water when we don't expect it, we have a problem.

We also have an additional water pump switch/LED by the door, to notify or remind us, and allow us to turn off water pump circuit as we are leaving out the door. It has been very handy.

Re: Water leak

Reply #4 – October 03, 2021, 04:22:14 pm

Sharon, hope you find the source of the leak.

To help prevent damage from your next water leak:

Ideal Overflow Alarm $16.46

Ideal Security Inc. (SK606) Flood Water and Overflow Alarm, White - - Amazon.com

We have these alarms in 8 places in our motorhome and recently prevented damage from a hot water tank leak and a toilet fresh water leak where we were notified early of small drips.

We also turn off water pressure when we leave our coach as water hose problems have known to cause major damage in a short time. Same for stick homes if possible.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Water leak

Reply #5 – October 03, 2021, 04:49:10 pm

It could be a leaking water pump. The pump on my coach is under the couch.
It could also be a broken water pipe, or as stated above, an icemaker.
If there is that much water on the floor, there is water in the basement. Not good for bulkheads.

Re: Water leak

Reply #6 – October 03, 2021, 05:10:18 pm

Check behind and under the refrigerator for ice maker water line issues. Those plastic water lines don't last.

Foretravel

Reply #7 – October 03, 2021, 06:27:22 pm

Out of everyone are most of y'all happy with your RV ? This is our first and I'm starting to wish it wasn't, thisnis a true nightmare y'all, I just feel like crying all the time it's always something remember the show the money pit that's what I feel like this is going to be ,its paid in full all we have to do now is figure out where this water is coming from but my husband isn't mechanically inclined or anything else. Took me 12 hours to find a plumber to even come look at it and he says it's the toilet I'm no plumber but I just cant see that being the whole issue as wet as these floors was

Re: Water leak

Reply #8 – October 03, 2021, 06:58:07 pm

I picked up 6 of these a couple months ago, they've gone off twice and paid for themself already. Highly recommend these as others have said.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement-Watchdog-Battery-Operated-Water-Alarm-BWD-HWA/100038838

Re: Water leak

Reply #9 – October 03, 2021, 07:42:15 pm

By the looks of the pictures, particularly around the toilet, it looks like it has been leaking for a VERY LONG TIME.

With all the black mold, I am surprised there was no odor.

Indeed, you are fortunate that Foretravel used marine plywood instead of OSB for flooring.

Replace the really damaged places, remove any molded areas and fill with something like GET-ROT and re floor. Obliviously address the source of this long-time leak.

Re: Water leak

Reply #10 – October 03, 2021, 09:17:08 pm

Sharon, yes as wolf10 said, the leak appears to have gone unnoticed for a long time from the toilet. Better than a plumber, a mobile rv tech might be your best bet. For reccomendations, I often check with those around me, sometimes that is the manager of the rv park I'm staying at. Best of wishes that this issue is handled properly for you. Posting what city you are in, may help a forum member make a reccomendation to you. I see you just joined the forum yesterday, this was a good start to resolving your issue.

Re: Water leak

Reply #11 – October 03, 2021, 09:41:49 pm

I'm pretty sure that isn't the original toilet. My guess is whoever replaced the original did a shoddy job installing it.
Regardless, I would fix the leak and figure out what other damage the water caused. If you are hooked up to city water I would turn that off and use the pump for water when you need it.

Re: Water leak

Reply #12 – October 03, 2021, 09:51:39 pm

Sharon, as you have learned there is no easy answer. We have all had water leaks from every possible source and there are many places that can leak. All are probably fairly easy to find.

It is nice that you posted photos. Don't give up. This new first coach will have a learning curve. As you know, this leak has been likely going on for a while.

To answer your question, we are very happy with our Foretravel. It has been our home for over 20 years and has traveled all over the US & Canada, and has many problem over the years. We consider each problem an Adventure.

With you guys not feeling technical or handy, looks like the only way to find the leak is to do your own diagnosis or pay someone a lot of money, and maybe do a poor job. Nobody cares about your coach better than you guys. You could find a mobile handyman RV fixer by asking around, who can usually fix any RV living space problem. Not necessarily a job for a plumber.

We all have older big complex motorhomes and many things will go wrong, but everything is fixable. This may be the first big problem, but it will not be the last.

From your photos, it looks like the top of the bottom box under the toilet is wet or mildew, indicating that the water source is the toilet. If it smells it is likely from the bottom seal. An easy fix could be to remove the bottom two bolts, lift the toilet up and replace the bottom seal. Or you could spend to have another do the same.

If it did not smell, and was wet, it could be the fresh water leaking from the water fill valve or from the backside vacuum break. Both are known to leak and self-replaceable.

Good luck. Let us know what you find.

The bottom tall round trim on the toilet opens up so you can see around the bottom to see if the leak is there.

Re: Water leak

Reply #13 – October 03, 2021, 10:31:51 pm

This is a tough one. First look under the couch and see if the water pump is there. That could be the source of the carpet soaking. Famous for fitting failure. If the ice maker line is leaking you can lift up the handle on top of the under sink water filter and it will shut off the water to the ice maker line. That would stop the flooding of the carpet area. As for the toilet, it is most likely the seal like Barry said, easy fix and should be done anyway, but it also could be a fitting or split line. Good luck.

Re: Water leak

Reply #14 – October 03, 2021, 10:38:16 pm

Water often runs down hill. If the toilet is above the floor and the riser is wet , start at the highest wet place and work from there.
Agreed, find a local RV repair person, Not a plumber .
Where are you?
I love my Bus and will never get back the cash dumped into it . Just got back from a lovely weekend at a race track .

Re: Water leak

Reply #15 – October 03, 2021, 11:58:29 pm

If a Sealand/Dometic model #511 toilet it is quite easily to find the leak(s)
Ask someone who knows. (like me)
Lean over and see if the valve on the side of the toilet is leaking, or if the hose clamp is loose, or if the screw-on hose fitting needs to be tightened.
If the valve is leaking, $20 is about what one cost last week for me.
If the metal band strap holding the bowl on to the base is loose then the bowl will be rocking and feel loose. Then water can leak out from this connection between the bowl and the base.
If the bowl doesn't hold water, then buy the two neoprene seals and the "ball" valve--about $40 for the parts.
If the leak is at the floor level then possibly the floor flange is broken. Remove the toilet in its entirety and then you have to remove the floor flange. It will be glued to the black pipe going to the black tank. Make several small cuts with a hacksaw blade--parallel to the pipe centerline. Then, using a small chisel, break the glue bond from each section you created. Make sure NOTHING falls down into the black tank. Now you will be ready to install a new floor flange.

Re: Water leak

Reply #16 – October 04, 2021, 12:04:17 am

Just another thought.
When our toilet "let go" and saturated the crummy blue shag carpet I ripped the carpet out, removed the toilet down to the floor, then set a fan so the wood would dry out. After three or four days of constant drying I proceeded to wipe down and vacuum the entire area. Then I applied three layers of clear floor sealer before reinstalling the toilet and a floating tile floor.

Re: Water leak

Reply #17 – October 04, 2021, 06:20:43 am

This is the place to get advice from owners that have experienced the same problems you are having.
Asking questions and getting answers here can save a new owner a lot of money and frustration. Dealer shop fees of $100-$150 per hour can add up real fast.
Sharon has stated that her husband has very little or no mechanical ability. A lot of people don't. But there are a number of things Sharon and her husband can do that don't require a lot of mechanical ability or knowledge.
Like the following:
1. Shut the water supply to the toilet off. Easy to do by the layman. If they need water elsewhere in the coach, take a picture of the water line coming to the toilet with your phone. Go to any RV dealer, plumbing supply, or Ace and get a plug for the end of the water line. Changing wet rugs for dry and soaking up water with paper towels doesn't do it! Identify and eliminate the water coming in. Otherwise it is like putting Carmex on a cold sore. Doesn't cure the problem.
2. Dry up the floor(s) by using 20" box fans. (another thing a layman can do)
3. While waiting for the drying to occur, find the appropriate toilet You Tube videos, get the manual for the toilet you have, talk to the RV service manager, empty and flush the black tank--several times. Get a new tennis ball and put it in a plastic bag. HUH? This "assembly" you can use to plug the black floor flange to reduce incoming odors if you have to remove the toilet.
All of the aforementioned things can be done by anyone with basic understandings.
The existing toilet might not be the original, so find out just what you have. A transition part from toilet to floor flange might be missing or broken. Or the installer did something wrong.
At least by doing the items I have listed you will reduce the labor costs if you do take your coach to a dealer.
Long enough post now, but let me know if I can help.

Re: Water leak

Reply #18 – October 04, 2021, 10:40:21 am

Next phase:
1. Now that the floor is dry, vacuum up the area during and after a vigorous stiff brushing.
2. Get to a supply store that sells a top quality water proof floor sealer or varnish. Buy a quart and a cheap paint brush.
Also a tube of waterproof silicone adhesive and a caulk "gun".
3. Give the entire wood floor in the bathroom and hallway two or even three coats.
4. If you haven't already, take all the toilet parts out in the back yard, along with a stiff bristle brush, a pail of soapy water, and a roll of paper towels. Clean all the parts SPOTLESS as any debris between a neoprene gasket and the hard toilet part might cause a leak. Let everything dry thoroughly.
5. Inspect the floor mounting surface again for any kind of crack or break.
6. Now you are ready to start assembling the toilet on the floor flange. Slowly, carefully, one piece at a time.
Now, where does a bunch of mechanical ability come into play here? Or having to pay someone $100/hour or more for what you can do a little at a time over a few days?
Nice thing about owning a coach is that you find your knowledge and abilities grow as you find and fix things. Not everything requires a certified mechanic, when common sense, elbow grease, and determination does what you need done.

Re: Water leak

Reply #19 – October 04, 2021, 07:34:19 pm

Quote from: Jack Lewis – October 03, 2021, 09:17:08 pm

Sharon, yes as wolf10 said, the leak appears to have gone unnoticed for a long time from the toilet. Better than a plumber, a mobile rv tech might be your best bet. For reccomendations, I often check with those around me, sometimes that is the manager of the rv park I'm staying at. Best of wishes that this issue is handled properly for you. Posting what city you are in, may help a forum member make a reccomendation to you. I see you just joined the forum yesterday, this was a good start to resolving your issue.

Thank you we are in corpus christi Texas and my husband just recently bought this from a co worker I was in ohio when he bought taking care of my mom or I can promise on every love we would not be the not so proud owners of this thing ,, now the converter box is burnt out from the water and I promise you the smell is so bad in here I have felt like running all the way back to Ohio but my husband feels plenty bad enough over this thing all we can do is repair, remodel and post pics when it's done. Thank you all very much for all the advice

Re: Water leak

Reply #20 – October 04, 2021, 07:35:27 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – October 04, 2021, 10:40:21 am

Next phase:
1. Now that the floor is dry, vacuum up the area during and after a vigorous stiff brushing.
2. Get to a supply store that sells a top quality water proof floor sealer or varnish. Buy a quart and a cheap paint brush.
Also a tube of waterproof silicone adhesive and a caulk "gun".
3. Give the entire wood floor in the bathroom and hallway two or even three coats.
4. If you haven't already, take all the toilet parts out in the back yard, along with a stiff bristle brush, a pail of soapy water, and a roll of paper towels. Clean all the parts SPOTLESS as any debris between a neoprene gasket and the hard toilet part might cause a leak. Let everything dry thoroughly.
5. Inspect the floor mounting surface again for any kind of crack or break.
6. Now you are ready to start assembling the toilet on the floor flange. Slowly, carefully, one piece at a time.
Now, where does a bunch of mechanical ability come into play here? Or having to pay someone $100/hour or more for what you can do a little at a time over a few days?
Nice thing about owning a coach is that you find your knowledge and abilities grow as you find and fix things. Not everything requires a certified mechanic, when common sense, elbow grease, and determination does what you need done.

Going.to end up costing 525.00 to replace the toilet and have it installed

Re: Water leak

Reply #21 – October 04, 2021, 07:37:43 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – October 03, 2021, 11:58:29 pm

If a Sealand/Dometic model #511 toilet it is quite easily to find the leak(s)
Ask someone who knows. (like me)
Lean over and see if the valve on the side of the toilet is leaking, or if the hose clamp is loose, or if the screw-on hose fitting needs to be tightened.
If the valve is leaking, $20 is about what one cost last week for me.
If the metal band strap holding the bowl on to the base is loose then the bowl will be rocking and feel loose. Then water can leak out from this connection between the bowl and the base.
If the bowl doesn't hold water, then buy the two neoprene seals and the "ball" valve--about $40 for the parts.
If the leak is at the floor level then possibly the floor flange is broken. Remove the toilet in its entirety and then you have to remove the floor flange. It will be glued to the black pipe going to the black tank. Make several small cuts with a hacksaw blade--parallel to the pipe centerline. Then, using a small chisel, break the glue bond from each section you created. Make sure NOTHING falls down into the black tank. Now you will be ready to install a new floor flange.

The whole entire RV is soaked and we have been keeping the water off and just turning it on as we need it and right back off when we are done we just went ahead and ordered and new toilet ripped all the flooring up over the weekend and now just waiting for the guy to come put the toilet tomorrow

Re: Water leak

Reply #22 – October 04, 2021, 08:02:31 pm

Not to beat a dead horse, but, did you find the source of the leak? Priority 1. Perhaps the toilet doesn't need replacing. Just the seal. Or a fitting.

Re: Water leak

Reply #23 – October 04, 2021, 08:16:00 pm

Quote from: Twig – October 04, 2021, 08:02:31 pm

Not to beat a dead horse, but, did you find the source of the leak? Priority 1. Perhaps the toilet doesn't need replacing. Just the seal. Or a fitting.

I did have a plumber come in and he said it does need replacing but I also think or at.least I am worried that it's more than just the toilet, did you see the pictures i.posted

Re: Water leak

Reply #24 – October 04, 2021, 08:18:01 pm

Quote from: Sharon Finnegan – October 04, 2021, 07:34:19 pm

Thank you we are in corpus christi Texas and my husband just recently bought this from a co worker I was in ohio when he bought taking care of my mom or I can promise on every love we would not be the not so proud owners of this thing ,, now the converter box is burnt out from the water and I promise you the smell is so bad in here I have felt like running all the way back to Ohio but my husband feels plenty bad enough over this thing all we can do is repair, remodel and post pics when it's done. Thank you all very much for all the advice

I just realized only half of my words was posted lol sorry yall hopefully you can figure out what I meant

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