When there is a leak in the RV, you will need to get to the bottom of things instantly.
It’s not ideal to have an RV water heater that continues to leak. This will create extensive water damage in the RV and it’s also going to be a sign the RV water heater is breaking down.
One issue people report is when the RV water heater pressure relief valve is leaking.
If the RV water heater pressure relief valve is leaking, start by checking the pressure reading, inspect the thermostat, and look for potential damage. It’s also possible the TPR valve is not closing properly. It’s best to call a professional to replace these parts.
The most important thing an RV owner will need to do is figure out where the leak is. This is going to make it easier to find a replacement part or fix where the issue is.
This article is going to take a look at how to fix an RV water heater pressure relief valve that’s leaking.
Table of Contents
Steps To Fix RV Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve That’s Leaking
1. Check The Thermostat
You will want to start with the RV water heater’s thermostat.
The purpose of looking at the thermostat is to see if the temperature is fine. If there is a sudden increase in the temperature, this might be a sign there is an issue with the water heater’s performance.
When the RV water heater is leaking, this tends to be a problem.
You will want to make sure the thermostat is not malfunctioning. This can be assessed by changing the thermostat and seeing how the RV water heater responds to the adjustment.
If there is no response, this means the issue might have to do with the thermostat.
2. Focus On The Pressure Reading
You are also going to want to take a look at the pressure reading.
This is an important part to look at because of where the leak is. You are dealing with a situation where the pressure relief valve is leaking.
This means the pressure might be off within the RV water heater.
There is going to be a pressure reading that comes with the pressure relief valve. You are going to want to take a look at this reading to see if it is in line with what the owner’s manual states is right. If it is not, this might be a sign there is damage to the RV water heat or the pressure relief valve.
Focus on this when it comes to using the valve the right way.
If the pressure relief valve is fine, it’s okay to move to the next step.
3 Check The TPR Valve Opening
You will want to take a peek at the TPR valve.
The goal here is to see whether or not it is open. If it is continuously open, this is where the problem is. Anytime the TPR valve is open, this means it is not closing as required.
This is a major issue.
You have to take the time to check if it is stuck open and then tighten it. If it remains open, the valve is going to keep leaking and that is not a good sign at all.
Focus on this when you are checking the TPR valve and hoping to do things the right way.
4. Look For Small Cracks Or Damage
Is there a leak that you might be dealing with due to damage to the RV water heater?
It’s possible there is damage surrounding the RV water heater and that is where the problem lies. This is not a good sign and it’s something you will want to address.
It could be a smaller leak.
This happens when there is a minute crack in the RV water heater near the pressure relief valve. This is then going to cause water to pour out slowly.
Do not overlook this because that leak is going to get worse with time due to the underlying damage. Fix the damaged spot as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
It’s best to manage this type of situation by fixing an RV water heater pressure relief valve that’s leaking.
If the RV water heater pressure relief valve is leaking, it’s likely due to a faulty thermostat or a small crack in the water heater. It’s also recommended to check the pressure reading and ensure the TPR valve does not remain open all the time.
You have to look at the RV heater from different angles to see what’s going and how to fix the problem as soon as you can.
