Water freezing

[cmawendy]

We are in Montana where it has been below 0 and we have a problem, our water is on when you have it to the cold water side but when you turn it to the hot water side nothing. Anyone have any ideas on what this could be?

[jimcol]

Mark, I have not experienced the condition but many have wrote on this forum about the check valve going bad on the water heater. Oz even provided pictures showing the repair of the beast. Perhaps a search might get you to his tutorial. Only other thought is your hot water line froze somewhere under the Monty. If the problem is at both sinks I think I would eliminate the check valve issue first. Jim

[exav8tr]

Other than something freezing, my vote is the check valve. Can be hard to find a new one, but easy to replace. Brass valve on the outflow side of the hot water heater.

[cmawendy]

Thanks for the imput....I was wondering if that might be the culprit....Thanks again

[Mudchief]

We have also gone through some cold weather with no problem and I would also bet on the check valve.

[Ozz]

Here is the check valve information:

[NCFischers]

Where can I get a check valve and what do I ask for? I think I'd like to have a spare and save the hassle of looking for one in an emergency.

[Ozz]

quote:Originally posted by NCFischers

Where can I get a check valve and what do I ask for? I think I'd like to have a spare and save the hassle of looking for one in an emergency.

Here is a link: http://www.thefind.com/garden/info-rv-check-valve

[Drifty1]

I had the same problem a month ago when temp dropped to around 9*. My water froze between the sink and the water heater as I had cold at both sinks but no hot at ether. After it thawed out I looked under the belly for open spots that would allow cold air in that could be the cause of the freezing. The only thing I saw was the 2 drain lines for draining down the line for storage. I think that was the cause of mine freezing so I covered them and the hole in the belly with foam. It has been down to the teens a few times since they but have not had any problems.

[exav8tr]

quote:Originally posted by NCFischers

Where can I get a check valve and what do I ask for? I think I'd like to have a spare and save the hassle of looking for one in an emergency.

"Hot Water Backflow Preventer", I picked up two at a mom and pop RV parts dealer. CW did not have them, nor Lowes or Home Depot. I would suggest getting a spare......

[GRHooper]

How can you tell if the check valve is defective? If defective, I'd assume the water heater needs to be drained before replacing? How is that done; through the hot line drain in the convenience center?

[sreigle]

Jerry and Lisa, you get no water flow from the water heater. One way to test it is to turn the valve(s) to bypass the water heater. If you get flow now, then it's the water heater, probably the check valve. That flow will be cold water, by the way.

We've had the valve go bad twice, in two different rigs. They're available at most any rv dealer. However, there are two sizes. So either take the old valve with you or plan on buying one of each size. The first we bought cost me $5. A couple of years later we bought one from an RV Dealer connected to a Camping World. He hit me for about $12. We now carry a spare since they always seem to go bad at the most inopportune time.