Persistent Low Water Pressure After Freeze - How to Fully Thaw RV Lines?

[charlie l lynch]

I didn’t have my skirting up before it got freezing temps and I lost water. I got my camper in closed and put a heater under the camper. Ran 2 20 lb tanks and a 30 lb and only have a small trickle. Checked for water leaks. I’m out of ideas. This has been going on for over 2 weeks. Any suggestions or ideas?

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Is your water source a spigot or your fresh tank and pump? Just hot or cold or both?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Is your water source a spigot or your fresh tank and pump? Just hot or cold or both?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[charlie l lynch]

Is your water source a spigot or your fresh tank and pump? Just hot or cold or both?

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

I’m hooked up to city water. Low pressure on both

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Once a water line freezes, it can be difficult to get it to fully thaw. Did the underneath every get very warm, or was it just slightly above freezing. Ice in an enclosed space will last a long time at 40-45 degrees.

 

[charlie l lynch]

Once a water line freezes, it can be difficult to get it to fully thaw. Did the underneath every get very warm, or was it just slightly above freezing. Ice in an enclosed space will last a long time at 40-45 degrees.

I had a small propane turbo heater running for about 8 hrs straight

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I had a small propane turbo heater running for about 8 hrs straight

Right, but how much did that actually warm the area where the water lines run? Are they exposed, or (more likely) somewhat insulated by an enclosed underbelly? All that nice warm air may well just been blowing in one side and out the other.

It may take a couple of days/nights above freezing to get the frozen lines thawed out.

 

[charlie l lynch]

Right, but how much did that actually warm the area where the water lines run? Are they exposed, or (more likely) somewhat insulated by an enclosed underbelly? All that nice warm air may well just been blowing in one side and out the other.

It may take a couple of days/nights above freezing to get the frozen lines thawed out.

I was thinking that after you mentioned the 40 to 45 degrees

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Thinking logically the pedestal connection and fresh tank do not share a common input so any restriction would be at or downstream of the pump. If hot and cold are both affected there's only so much plumbing that can cause this. My take on it is if it's flowing at all, even cold water will melt ice eventually given time, and volume. On my RV the fixture the shortest distance from the pump is the outside hand wand. So as a test I'd run that fixture for an extended time, say upwards of half an hour. There's only so much ice there to melt, presuming that's the root cause. If after half an hour of flow there's no change, I'd be investigating an alternate root cause.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[John From Detroit]

In cold weather try the pump.
On my Rig in very cold weather, I had kept light bulbs (the old fashion incandascent) and even a 150 watt electric space heater (Those mini ones that make grand claims) and that helped. Only had one line freeze one time doing it that way and soon as sun came up it thawed. (I think 11 that night_)

 

[TXMOOSE]

Also put a blanket under your sinks and a small heater, hitting any small blocks. And inside a skirt when you've got it up for emergencies, setting up a couple of holegen lites pointing at your pipes. Place them carefully but they kick the heat under there. Can even build a little room to be safe under neath in that section.

After you finally get that water free then with some help shut off the water and run around and look for leeks. Hopefully you beat it.
Sorry that happened.