Chasing Water Leaks
Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2021 11:23 am
I was wondering if any one had a special process for detecting water leaks that are not obvious.
Last year I hooked up a hose up to the outside access on my 1989 B and turned on the water. Immediately there was water coming out under the house apparently in the area under the cabinets making its way down the chassis and across the piping and the waste tank and on to the ground. It was not a small leak similar to the one from the crack in the water pump we experienced in the past. I was not able to detect a source. There was no obvious dampness in the house, or location of flow source that could be detected from underneath. As we were set up for a short stay, I did not want to chase the problem down at the time. I dreaded exploring the problem during the period of the pandemic, and am now planning to prepare for travel. I would like to avoid hooking up water under pressure to avoid letting water loose in the house. By removing all drawers and opening cabinets, and removing outside covers, I have been able to trace all of the fresh water system behind the cabinetry and can not see or feel any obvious breaks or openings. It was interesting to see all of system detail and various valves to allow draining the system for winterizing
I was considering hooking up air under pressure as one thought, perhaps with some smoke to see if I could detect the leak source. Any other ideas or past experience that would help me find the problem. With the volume of water that came out, it should be a significant failure.
Last year I hooked up a hose up to the outside access on my 1989 B and turned on the water. Immediately there was water coming out under the house apparently in the area under the cabinets making its way down the chassis and across the piping and the waste tank and on to the ground. It was not a small leak similar to the one from the crack in the water pump we experienced in the past. I was not able to detect a source. There was no obvious dampness in the house, or location of flow source that could be detected from underneath. As we were set up for a short stay, I did not want to chase the problem down at the time. I dreaded exploring the problem during the period of the pandemic, and am now planning to prepare for travel. I would like to avoid hooking up water under pressure to avoid letting water loose in the house. By removing all drawers and opening cabinets, and removing outside covers, I have been able to trace all of the fresh water system behind the cabinetry and can not see or feel any obvious breaks or openings. It was interesting to see all of system detail and various valves to allow draining the system for winterizing
I was considering hooking up air under pressure as one thought, perhaps with some smoke to see if I could detect the leak source. Any other ideas or past experience that would help me find the problem. With the volume of water that came out, it should be a significant failure.