Leak under the shower

[nsraja]

I have a 2022 Thor Quantum.

I stayed overnight at Love's RV Stop near Sweetwater, TX and the city water pressure must have been 100+. I have seen what 70+ PSI is like at Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone, but this one was unbelievably high. Little did I know and I forgot to use the pressure regulator even though I carried one. After about 20 minutes of using the shower I could see water dripping under the RV beneath the shower/toilet area. This was on the last day of our trip so we returned home after taking our shower and managed to wipe off about 100 ml of water run off from under the shower. After googling, it looks like a common problem reported by many RVers and if water leaked only when using the shower it almost always looked like ruptured faucet. I eagerly popped out the faucet (peeling off some silicone caulk and removing four screws is all it took to see the back) and let the shower run, water did leak after a minute or two but the back of faucet remained dry. I removed the access panel right under the shower and noticed some kind of coupler (with a keychain ring like puller) and I am not able to find out what this is called. There is water leaking behind the wall (as I could feel water by running my fingers around lower shower corner but I also noticed a tiny bit of water coming from one (or both) of these pipes right on the connection. Anyone know what this is? I think I can replace the crimp but would like to have this part handy in case I break it when replacing. I am yet to find the major source of leak that is behind the shower wall.

 

[16ACE27]

Those are drain valves, normally low point drains. You pull them up by the ring to open the poppet and allow water to go out of the drain tailpiece.

You probably have loose connections at the back of the shower faucet. If there is no access to that area you may be able to get to them by pulling the shower faucet away from the wall.

 

[nsraja]

Thank you for the reply!!! I had the shower head lying on the shower floor and there was no leak. But when the shower head is on its hook I would see water leaking under the pan area. What the heck!! I should also say I am lucky enough to have access to the entire back of the shower head side by simply removing the flimsy panel (laminated plywood) on the side of the wardrobe (Quantum SE27). It leaks only when the shower is splashing water everywhere. Behind the shower wall, I inspected every pex connection and no water.

During my walk through General RV folks said "dont make the mistake of caulking off the small gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall". Their reasoning is we should allow air to go in and out behind the shower wall. I think this is wrong. At least it does not apply to every RV. When the RV is not level, using the shower causes water to pool up at the corner where the shower pan meets the shower wall. This water escapes out on to the floor and due to capillary force it must have shown up near the drain valve because the pex is sitting on the floor.

Why now and not earlier, and what's up with blaming Love's RV Stop water pressure? There is a small amount of silicone caulk put by Thor at the corner area, it is somewhat peeled away. May be they anticipated this problem but as usual did a poor job. Love's RV Stop might just be a coincidence when I found this problem

Long story short, given that the back of the shower (at least in my RV) has plenty of airspace to breath, I am going to caulk the gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall. Please let me know if any one disagrees. I dont see any other way to prevent water escaping through this gap when using the shower. Finding ultra level RV park is impossible, if the RV is not level then water is going to escape when using the shower.

 

[Scubawise]

Thank you for the reply!!! I had the shower head lying on the shower floor and there was no leak. But when the shower head is on its hook I would see water leaking under the pan area. What the heck!! I should also say I am lucky enough to have access to the entire back of the shower head side by simply removing the flimsy panel (laminated plywood) on the side of the wardrobe (Quantum SE27). It leaks only when the shower is splashing water everywhere. Behind the shower wall, I inspected every pex connection and no water.

During my walk through General RV folks said "dont make the mistake of caulking off the small gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall". Their reasoning is we should allow air to go in and out behind the shower wall. I think this is wrong. At least it does not apply to every RV. When the RV is not level, using the shower causes water to pool up at the corner where the shower pan meets the shower wall. This water escapes out on to the floor and due to capillary force it must have shown up near the drain valve because the pex is sitting on the floor.

Why now and not earlier, and what's up with blaming Love's RV Stop water pressure? There is a small amount of silicone caulk put by Thor at the corner area, it is somewhat peeled away. May be they anticipated this problem but as usual did a poor job. Love's RV Stop might just be a coincidence when I found this problem

Long story short, given that the back of the shower (at least in my RV) has plenty of airspace to breath, I am going to caulk the gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall. Please let me know if any one disagrees. I dont see any other way to prevent water escaping through this gap when using the shower. Finding ultra level RV park is impossible, if the RV is not level then water is going to escape when using the shower.

The surround overlaps the tub flange to keep water from splashing up under to the wall paneling. Showers in motorhomes are not caulked and should not be caulked. I've had the shower out many times in many motorhomes. The floor pan goes up the outside of the shower walls a substantial amount ... at least 6" or so.

 

[nsraja]

Thanks. 5"? Wow. Due to some plywood covering I could not see the tub's edge behind the shower. I will see if I can find any cracks with a borescope. I am going to keep the panel open on my next trip (during Christmas). After Christmas I will take it to a RV shop.

I have extended bumper to bumper warranty (in spite of me being a handy man) and I think I should take it to a RV shop. The only part that scares me is, my neighbor took his for a cosmetic issue and they returned his RV after nearly three months.

 

[16ACE27]

Thanks. 5"? Wow. Due to some plywood covering I could not see the tub's edge behind the shower. I will see if I can find any cracks with a borescope. I am going to keep the panel open on my next trip (during Christmas). After Christmas I will take it to a RV shop.

I have extended bumper to bumper warranty (in spite of me being a handy man) and I think I should take it to a RV shop. The only part that scares me is, my neighbor took his for a cosmetic issue and they returned his RV after nearly three months.

Don't allow that. Make an appointment - bring it in, tell them you will return in a week to pick it up. If they claim they are waiting on parts then let them notify you when the parts arrive and you will return for the parts to be installed. No payment for services until the repair is complete.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I wouldn't caulk it. I'd suspect a crack or some type of leak in the shower pan. Might take patience and persistence to find. At least if you can find it yourself you have the warranty to fall back on.

Maybe try spreading paper towels at alternating points under the pan? A persistent drip can migrate and fool you.

 

[Scubawise]

Thanks. 5"? Wow. Due to some plywood covering I could not see the tub's edge behind the shower. I will see if I can find any cracks with a borescope. I am going to keep the panel open on my next trip (during Christmas). After Christmas I will take it to a RV shop.

I have extended bumper to bumper warranty (in spite of me being a handy man) and I think I should take it to a RV shop. The only part that scares me is, my neighbor took his for a cosmetic issue and they returned his RV after nearly three months.

My brother with extended warranty purchased from Pierce in Montana had very little luck.
They fixed a few things.
Said others not under warranty.
Heater was working before dealer touched.
We found three (3) vents detached.
They had it 3 months.

 

[cgeace29.3]

Check the 90 degree fittings where the pex pipe changes direction. I had one of the cheap 5c fitting develop a leak and was surprised at the amount of water that leaked because of it. Replaced with a shark bite fitting.

 

[Jimbo56]

Thank you for the reply!!! I had the shower head lying on the shower floor and there was no leak. But when the shower head is on its hook I would see water leaking under the pan area. What the heck!! I should also say I am lucky enough to have access to the entire back of the shower head side by simply removing the flimsy panel (laminated plywood) on the side of the wardrobe (Quantum SE27). It leaks only when the shower is splashing water everywhere. Behind the shower wall, I inspected every pex connection and no water.

During my walk through General RV folks said "dont make the mistake of caulking off the small gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall". Their reasoning is we should allow air to go in and out behind the shower wall. I think this is wrong. At least it does not apply to every RV. When the RV is not level, using the shower causes water to pool up at the corner where the shower pan meets the shower wall. This water escapes out on to the floor and due to capillary force it must have shown up near the drain valve because the pex is sitting on the floor.

Why now and not earlier, and what's up with blaming Love's RV Stop water pressure? There is a small amount of silicone caulk put by Thor at the corner area, it is somewhat peeled away. May be they anticipated this problem but as usual did a poor job. Love's RV Stop might just be a coincidence when I found this problem

Long story short, given that the back of the shower (at least in my RV) has plenty of airspace to breath, I am going to caulk the gap where the shower pan meets the shower wall. Please let me know if any one disagrees. I dont see any other way to prevent water escaping through this gap when using the shower. Finding ultra level RV park is impossible, if the RV is not level then water is going to escape when using the shower.

Don’t caulk it. Supposed to be open. There’s a lip that goes up behind the wall. That’s not your leak. Our rigid black drain pipe under the shower broke. The shower floor is somewhat soft m. The drain doesn’t give. Replaced the rigid black down pipe with a rubber pipe and hose clamps. Leak fixed.

 

[BTROCKY]

I went through same scenario as nsraja, and caulked the joint between the pan and wall covering over 5 years ago and no more leaks!