IsDons articles and blog

Where is this water coming from?

Category: What could possibly go wrong?. Published: 23 Jun 2009

Water was leaking into the van from somewhere. Not just a few drops, there was a large pool of water on the floor. I checked all the connections near where the water appeared to be coming from, but they were all dry.

The water appeared after I turned on the hot water, so that must be where it's coming from. I took the van apart to get at the hot water system and tightened all the connections.

Next time I turned on the hot water it happened again. I was ready for it this time -- I hadn't put the cupboard walls back so it was easy to get at the hot water system. The water wasn't coming from there, it was coming from the town water connection, which is directly above the hot water. I took that apart, cleaned it, put it back together, no water coming from there any more...

Next day...

Now it's leaking from the connection to the pump that draws water from the van's internal tank -- even though I wasn't using either the pump or the tank. So I tightened that connection and problem solved...

A few days later...

Water is now leaking from the hot water connection under the sink. So I tightened that...

Then the water came from the cold water connection under the sink. So this time I tightened every connection I could find. None of these are easy to get at. But it appears the problem is solved...

A few days later...

This time it's the town water connection again. I took it apart again, cleaned it, put it back together, making sure everything was as tight as possible. Made no difference. So I bought a new connection, put that in and water was leaking from it. I took it apart, tightened everything, put it back together, no water coming from there any more...

Now it's leaking again from the connection to the pump that draws water from the van's internal tank. So I tightened that connection again and problem solved.

Finally.

The problem with the water leak is that it only happens when I turn the hot water on -- which is only once a day -- this pressurises the plumbing system and finds any weaknesses. Once the water is hot it stays hot for a long time so I turn it on, find a leak, fix it, then have to wait a day to check it again.

Twelve months later...

Water is again leaking from the connection to the pump that draws water from the van's internal tank. So I tightened that connection again and problem solved.

Finally. Again.

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