You are looking for workable steps on how to increase water pressure in an RV? Then, worry no more. This article will go a long way in answering your questions and providing solutions for you. I will be sharing easy, tested, and trusted steps to follow in fixing this problem.
This tutorial is important for me because I love camping, but sometimes it goes all wrong due to low water pressure in my RV. Most times, I had little or no access to water and had to carry gallons of water to my campground. This always made my camping less fun. But then, I came across these steps on how to increase water pressure in an RV, and since then, I’ve been on the go. I’m very much enthusiastic that these steps will help you to achieve that increase in the water pressure in your motor home.
Tools needed to increase the water pressure in an RV
Most times, the causes of low water pressure in RV include clogging of the RV water filtration system, old plumbing system and cheap showerheads, and spigot with tiny openings and valves. You might be wondering about the necessary tools you need for an efficient increase in the water pressure in your RV. Well, here are some of the tools you need, and they include:
Standard RV water pressure regulator
This is the most efficient and essential tool needed to increase the water pressure in an RV. We all know that water pressure in the campground can be high most times, and allowing such over-pressurized water into your RV can cause spoilage to your plumbing system. An RV water pressure regulator helps to prevent this. It is a small but very important tool that helps to regulate the psi (per square inch) of the water going into an RV. It keeps it at a safe level. Though plumbing in new RV’s can last up to 100psi, the approved water pressure for the newer ones is about 60psi. These regulators can be expensive, but trust me, they last longer and are very efficient, ensuring you don’t experience low water pressure in your RV. There are different types of RV water pressure regulator you could use to increase the water pressure in your motor home, and they include; Camco RV brass online water pressure regulator, Renato M11-0660R water pressure regulator vale, Two-valve star RV water pressure regulator. They all serve in increasing the water pressure in your RV, making your camping expenditure a fun and memorable one.
Water filtration system
This is another tool you can use to increase the water pressure in an RV. They work by allowing water to rush through small holes to strain out particles. There are many numbers of holes in a filter, and the larger the filter, the more opening it will have, and the flow will be much faster. This is to say that to have an increased flow through a filter; you should go for filters that are large and has more filtration area. Therefore, if you want to use the filtration system in your motor home, you will have to go for filters with larger pores as they will help prevent flow restriction, thereby increasing the water pressure in your RV. It is also important to note that it is necessary to clean the filters from time to time as particles can clog and block the holes, thereby causing low water pressure in your RV.
Correct and adequate pipe size
Producers will do anything to reduce the cost of production for themselves, this leads to them making low-quality goods, and the plumbing system is not an exemption. Undersized pipes contribute to low water pressure you might be experiencing in your motor home. Therefore, to increase the water pressure in your RV, you should go for quality and adequately sized pipes as they can never fail you. It is also necessary you check their fittings in your motor home to avoid leakage. This is also an added measure to increase water pressure in an RV.
Step by step on how to increase water pressure in an RV?
After you must have gathered the tools needed to increase the water pressure in your RV, knowing the correct steps and processes to follow towards achieving it is of great importance. It is necessary you follow all the steps accordingly, as skipping one can bring you back to the issue of low water pressure in your motor home.
Step 1 – Check the water filters
Water filters are an important part of recreational vehicles. We all know that it is somewhat difficult to access clean water while we are outdoor due to environmental hazards. However, having a filter could cause a decrease in water flow before it obstructs the water’s movement to your valves, fixtures, and faucets. If the filter decreases the water pressure, there will be a need to use a booster pump to ensure the supply of adequate pressure.
When the water filter causes low water pressure as a result of being clogged, then a replacement is in order too. It is imperative you change the filter at six months’ intervals. This is to ensure that you have clean drinking water when you embark on that much need vacation. Always check the filter before you hit the road with your RV, to ensure that it is clean. We also advise campers to carry an extra water filter in case emergencies arise.
Step 2 – Check the RV water pump
The work of the RV water pump is to transport water from the storage tank and distribute it to the various parts of your RV. Having an RV pump will affect the rate of water flow. The water pump’s flow rate is determined by the gallon capacity of water it pumps per minute. If an RV pump is installed in the distribution system, there is a likelihood to have a slow flow rate. This is because the water flows through elbows, tees, pipes, and other fittings before reaching the point of use.
When an RV pump malfunctions, it will also influence the water pressure. A lot of issues could make the RV water pump become faulty. We recommend that you do some troubleshooting to find out the particular fault and possible solution(s) for it.
Step 3 – Choosing The Right Hose
Before taking the trip, make sure you buy a high-quality hose approved for potable water. The hoses usually come in white or blue colors and have different lengths ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet. These portable water approved hoses won’t give any abstract taste to your water. Making use of uncertified hoses like a garden house or washing machine hose may introduce toxins or bacteria into your water. This is sure to have adverse effects on your health.
Step 4 – Hook Up to Fill Up
If you decide to fill up the tank to the brim, ensure the hose is fixed to the fill spigot and plug it to the larger of the two freshwater nozzles. They are always labeled “Fresh Water Connection.” Draw the full hose close to the spigot and fix it to the larger receptacle after you must have removed the receptacle cap. When this is done, you will notice a change in the tone of the water as it fills up. Always ensure you monitor the water level gauge so that you don’t overfill the tank. Overfilling could cause damage to your water system. The frequency of refilling the tank depends on how often the water is used.
Step 5 – Increase the Pressure
It is a very common occurrence to have the water pressure of your RV drop lower than normal. A lot of factors like clogging of the RV water filtration system, old plugging system, and cheap showerheads and spigots could cause this decrease in pressure. Low water pressure could be very annoying because you might have to waste more time in a bid to use the water. Adding a water pump will definitely increase the water pressure for your recreational vehicle. Also, ensure to connect the water filter to the regulator and attach a hose to the filter. These steps will certainly boost the water flow in your RV.
With the pressure increased, it’s important to check for any water leaks throughout your RV. According to this website, you can spot a water leak usually with a moldy wall or flaky paint.
Final thoughts
Hitting the road with a low water pressure RV could be a little bit of a drag because water accessibility will be difficult. Going through this tutorial, I believe that I must have given you the necessary insight as to the steps you need on how to increase water pressure in an RV and the tools needed for its accomplishment. These steps, if properly followed, will help you be on the go, and you won’t be having water issues when you’re out there. Ensure to take these steps in a scenario whereby you encounter low water pressure in your motor home. If, in any way, this article got to be of help to you, feel free to share your experiences in the comment section.