How would you feel if you took a shower in the morning after traveling with your RV all night and the first thing that popped out of the bathroom sink faucet is a tremendous sputtering noise, a spray of water, then even more spitting air, all while the pipes are violently shaking?
These circumstances imply that air is stuck inside your motorhome’s plumbing system. There are a number of causes for the existence of air bubbles inside the water lines, and the best resolution is bleeding air out of the pipe.
Fortunately, removing air in RV water lines is easy and doesn’t need much effort or technical knowledge. Moreover, if you are looking for a proper guideline on how to bleed air from RV water lines from the simplest to the most efficient method, this article is right for you. In this discussion, we will provide detailed tutorials on bleeding RV water lines in various methods, such as:
- The easiest way to bleed air from mobile home’s water pipes
- A more effective method to bleed air from RV water lines
- Ways to bleed RV water pump precisely
- Tutorials on removing air from a motorhome’s water heater
With these instructions, you will be able to fix the camper’s water system easily and effectively. Furthermore, there is certain knowledge of preventing pipes from air bubbles and other tips to follow to avoid having air trapped in RV’s water pump. Therefore, stay tuned!
First, let together find out how air can get inside your camper van’s plumbing systems!
Table of Contents
Why is Air Stuck in RV Water Lines
A sufficient RV plumbing system is always required for daily activities, such as drinking, cleaning, showering, and so on. Water lines with trapped air are uncomfortable and disruptive, affecting the water pressure throughout your car. Cracked valves, pump problems and water heater issues are just a few of the things that might affect the volume of the air in your RV water lines
Leaky faucets
Air might get into your pipelines as a result of a leaking faucet. If the water pump is always running and you notice it go off, you will understand that there is a leak in someplace. You must locate and fix the leak before it causes any further harm to your system.
Loose pipes
Air might increase in your motorhome’s plumbing system due to a loose pipe. Pipe leaks may cause air to strengthen in the RV’s water system, whether they’re in the pipes leading to your taps or supply lines from your fresh water tank.
Winterization
Whenever you winterize your camper van, you usually use motorhome antifreeze to prevent the pipes from freezing. Another option is to utilize an air compressor to push them out. To drain out all of the chemicals, you’ll need to bleed your lines throughout the de-winterization procedure in your mobile home.
Empty RV fresh water tank
If you used a drain valve to empty your freshwater tank, you might expect some air in your pipes the next time you refill it. To solve your problem, simply follow the instructions outlined under this part.
Different Ways to Bleed Air From RV Water Lines
There are many methods that you can apply to bleed all the air in your camper van’s fixtures although how you proceed them depends on the situation that you encounter. Hence, in this part of the article, I will list out different techniques to eliminate air in your RV plumbing system, from the simplest to the most efficient. Continue reading to learn more!
The easiest way to bleed air from mobile home’s water pipes
One of the easiest methods for removing air from your mobile home’s water lines requires no equipment at all. However, as you will require a lot of water, you may and should only proceed this at home.
The first step is to completely fill the RV’s water tank. Switch on the hydraulic system to circulate the fluid through all the pipes after the container is filled with water. Turn on that farthest faucet from the water container.
The water will continuously splutter and blow liquid, and you may only get water during this session. Allow the water to run for a few minutes. After a short period of time, the water might start flowing properly from the faucet. It will take several minutes to remove all of the air from the pipelines.
A more effective method to bleed air from RV’s water lines
If the water continues to splutter even after several minutes, you may want a more effective technique to flush air out. This will take a few hours and the proper equipment, but it will be more efficient.
You’ll need to attach your mobile home’s water line to a pressured source, such as your home’ faucet in order to proceed with this method. Since the household water line is considerably stronger than the onboard hydraulic pump and water tank, this is certainly a superior option.
Connect RV’s water lines to your house’s garden faucet using suitable equipment. Once that’s done, go through the following steps to get air out of water line:
Step 1: Turn on all faucets in the RV, including those in the bathroom, kitchen and outside the camper van.
Step 2: Spend a minute waiting for all spitting air in the whole water supply to stop, and then you’ll have a steady stream of water.
Step 3: Remove your RV’s water supply and activate the water pump once all the air has been evacuated from the pipes. The pump will correctly prime and function as there is water in the pipelines. You can turn off all the outdoor water faucets when the water pressure returns to normal.
The way to bleed an RV water pump precisely
So, if the onboard water pump is stuck with air, what should we do to fix it? If there is air stuck within the water pump, it is an easy repair. Simply turn on your water pump, wait for the water to flow, and then turn on the faucet that is farthest from the pump.
All air should be out of the pump whenever the water stops splashing and you have a consistent stream of water. You may also bleed a water pump by following these instructions.
Step 1: Unplug the freshwater pump’s output tube once you’ve found where it’s placed.
Step 2: Replace the output pipe with a rubber hose, making sure it’s long enough to protect itself from kicking.
Step 3: Fill a 12-ounce tank halfway with water. Pour water into the hose by holding the free end of it higher than your hydraulic pump.
Step 4: Cover the water hose’s end using your thumb while turning on the water pump. The water will reach your thumb after about a minute. Disconnect the hose and turn off the pump after it’s finished. Your incoming water pipe should be reconnected.
There should no longer be any air bubbles inside your motorhome’s water pump, and the camper van’s water pressure would be back to normal.
Tutorials on removing air from a motorhome’s water heater
It’s also possible that the air bubbles are retained in the water heater. Although it does not happen very often, it is necessary to perform this process on a regular basis as part of the hot water lines’ maintenance. The procedure is straightforward. However, it may take some time to complete, around 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Using these instructions below to bleed air from RV’s heater tank:
Step 1: Switch off the hot water tank.
Step 2: Allow the water to cool down. This might take about 30 to 40 minutes. If you can touch the edges of the hot water system without feeling any heat, the water has cooled down appropriately.
Step 3: To release the pressure, switch off the main water source and open a faucet.
Step 4: Close the pressure relief valves and allow for the water to drain completely.
Step 5: Stop the valves and the hot water faucet once all of the water has been removed. Then, switch on the RV’s waterline.
Step 6: You will need to fill only a full tank of water. After that, turn the RV hot water heater on again.
Techniques to prevent air from stuck in RV’s water lines
Switch your mobile home’s water pump on and off only once or twice a week: Even though you’re not utilizing the water pump, the pump switch’s light does not consume too much electricity, so you should leave it on to maintain the water pressure consistent inside the pipelines.
Examine the plumbing: Because of loose connections or a fracture in the water hoses, air might have seeped into the pipelines. Examine the plumbing thoroughly to ensure that there are not any weak connections and leaks. If you can’t find a plumber to replace the water lines, fix any holes you notice with versatile plumbing tape.
Conclusion
When your RV’s water line is stuck with air bubbles, it may cause sputtering air, which is unpleasant. Fortunately, by following these instructions, you can easily bleed air from your motorhome’s plumbing system and avoid experiencing an insufficient water supply or solid water flow.
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Hi, I am Joseph. Carpe diem! Seize the day! That’s always been my life motto. If you haven’t seen some of the most beautiful places in the country, you are missing out on incredible adventures.