major leak behind the shower - HELP

bjsmitty · 05-05-2018, 07:53 PM

Setting up our 2015 19' for the summer, and starting the pump for the first time discovered water leaking on the floor from below the closet. Could hear major water behind the closet. Turned off the pump and got the water stopped, but cannot figure out how to access the plumbing behind the shower. the problem is at the point of the shower faucet, but not clear way to get to it.

Any suggestions

Trailer was stored inside at a large storage facility for the whole of the winter. No sign of rodents.

All suggestions welcome.

Ron in BC · 05-05-2018, 10:14 PM

I cut out and installed a door to create more storage space under the furnace so I have a clear view of where the water lines are.

You can see the red, hot water line has a pex crimp 90* fitting and goes vertical up to the taps.

You can see the blue, cold water line has a pex tee and it also feeds the taps and continues on to the toilet.

My guess is that a pex crimp has failed.

At any rate, if you have to open up the area you can buy a door from ETI and have some very handy extra storage space.

Ron

cpaharley2008 · 05-06-2018, 07:55 AM

Do you have the exterior shower option? It normally is installed on the driver's side and the back of it can be seen inside the closet. Then lines should go to the sink right next door. Any of these places may have a busted water connection due to freezing. Did you winterize the trailer with antifreeze.

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 09:57 AM

Before you cut open that area and add a door like Ron and I did I suggest opening the closet and removing the closet bottom. That is a panel stapled down and can possibly expose the water lines. I did it in my 19 when I was running new electrical lines. Should let you see better what's going on before doing anything drastic.

Ended up cutting a new door opening below to finish my wires run, and made my own door, seen here. -- Oops, I just realized the furnace would then be exposed probably blocking view of the lines.

elongest · 05-06-2018, 10:23 AM

I don't have a E-19 but from the pictures why not just pull the furnace to inspect things . You may be able to repair the leak without cutting a new door opening through the furnace opening.
Eddie

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 10:28 AM

That's what I ended up doing. Fair warning, though, that pushing the furnace back into place is very tricky because the exhaust vent must nest into the plate attached to the exterior shell and a very snug fit, in my case it was a bear jamming it in there. Must also be very careful about the electrical connections to the furnace. Fact is, I ended up cutting the new door opening not because I needed another storage space but to help me reach in and get the furnace pushed back into place.

**rbryan4** · 05-06-2018, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

Fact is, I ended up cutting the new door opening not because I needed another storage space but to help me reach in and get the furnace pushed back into place.

Yes I remember that Myron. That's a win- win though because now you have extra storage to boot.

kootenaigirl · 05-06-2018, 11:00 AM

When you cut that hole below furnace for storage, is there anything on the inside that needs to be moved before you can add a door and use it?

Patandlinda · 05-06-2018, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kootenaigirl

When you cut that hole below furnace for storage, is there anything on the inside that needs to be moved before you can add a door and use it?

On ours we also moved the propane alarm to other side of kitchen cabinet . There was a couple of wires that just needed lengthening and we made a false floor to cover them up .pretty easy mod to make and well worth it . Pat

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 11:19 AM

I moved nothing, but I had to glue up support framing around the inside of the cut opening.

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 11:23 AM

Support framing...

Patandlinda · 05-06-2018, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

Nothing to move, but I had to glue up support framing around the inside of the framing.

Yup forgot about glueing some support framing for the ply . Pat

Ron in BC · 05-06-2018, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kootenaigirl

When you cut that hole below furnace for storage, is there anything on the inside that needs to be moved before you can add a door and use it?

Nothing on the inside. The vertical propane line isn't a problem unless you wanted to open up the cabinet beside by removing the back etc. and make one big space. In that case one person did relocate it.

This is what you see when you've cut the opening.

The wires are for the CO detector. It was a simple relocate to the other side.

Ron

Patandlinda · 05-06-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Yup forgot about glueing some support framing for the ply . Pat

A few finished photo's of ours . You see the process with Myron's and Ron's photo's . Pat

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 11:43 AM

I might have done that, Ron, Pat, but at the time I was just totally freaked out with getting that furnace back in place. Oh, when the job was finally done I used the new cubby to store my hiking boots. Haven't gone hiking since.

kootenaigirl · 05-06-2018, 11:51 AM

Thank you, all the info and pics are very helpful.

Ron in BC · 05-06-2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

A few finished photo's of ours . You see the process with Myron's and Ron's photo's . Pat

You went the deluxe route with carpet on the "floor". Actually it's a false floor that allows for the unused wires to stay in place in case they're needed for something in the future.

Myron isn't the only one who has had a bit of a struggle to get the furnace back in place. Personally, I'd rather have the extra storage space than risk a struggle with the furnace.

I'm betting the problem is a pex connection but either way, a connection or hose problem there theoretically there is a way to by-pass it if it's the hot water line. Not the cold water because it has to continue on. There is a clear space behind the cabinet work. I've snaked lots of wires from the rear to the front using that space. It should be possible to snake a hot water line up to replace the current one but that might be more trouble than it's worth.

Ron

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 02:28 PM

Well this whole business has got me totally aroused so I just went out and removed the bottom panel from my closet. (Was easy since it was screwed down using furring strips from when I ripped it out to gain furnace alignment access.)

Check out them pipes to and from the bathroom!

**rbryan4** · 05-06-2018, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

Well this whole business has got me totally aroused so I just went out and removed the bottom panel from my closet. (Was easy since it was screwed down using furring strips from when I ripped it out to gain furnace alignment access.)

Check out them pipes to and from the bathroom!

Um, OK. Were you planning to improve something or just fishing?

MyronL · 05-06-2018, 02:53 PM

Rybbby... Since back then I never satisfactorially re-installed the furnace - its face flat refused to close up the last quarter inch to the paneling, no matter how much I wailed on it with a 16 pounder - the face plate never screwed tight to the wall --Now I probably can wiggle that back end so it properly seats into the receiving exterior vent. If I ever do have a flood back there at least now I know there won't be any panicky troubleshooting.

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