NO HOT WATER! Water back flow preventer valve failure. What I found.
This post may help others. It's mainly to pass along information for anyone with a similar issue.
RV is hooked up to city water with no water pressure regulator. Everything was fine. Decent flow from both cold and hot water at kitchen sink, bathroom sink and shower.
The city discovers a leaking water main across from our home. They make a repair. I notice an increase in the water pressure but didn't install a water pressure regulator. Bad mistake!
Next day I notice a higher water level in the toilet but just think the wife has left more in than normal after use.
Not long thereafter we lose all hot water flow from any faucet. I get under the RV and remove the access panel for the hot water tank. It's hot so I know the element is on and determine it must be a restriction in the outlet from the tank.
I turn off the hot water heater and later drain the tank. Next I remove the back flow preventer valve. After removing these Pex fittings I discover the small valve and spring were dislodged and in the elbow down line from the valve. The tiny valve looks like a white golf tee. Anyway, I buy a replacement valve and splice in some new Pex hose with Sharkbite fittings. Yes, I was a little nervous because any failures here would mean a lot more work running new Pex hoses.
This valve replacement worked great. No leaks and now we have hot water. I still didn't think to install the water pressure regulator so that night the toilet did overflow a little. Some did get onto the carpet so I used towels to get it up and then I used the 90% rubbing alcohol trick to clean it and help dry. The alcohol worked great. No smell and dry as a bone.
Thinking back about what happened with the damaged back flow valve on the hot water tank and the toilet valve leaking I realized it had to be the higher water pressure on the city line. I installed an inexpensive non adjustable flow regulator from Walmart and later ordered an adjustable one from Renator that I like.
Now everything works as it should. Lessons learned.
The back flow preventer valve is the straight fitting between the two 90* elbows coming off of the hot water tank. Pictures attached.
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2008 Voyage 35L, Allison 6 speed auto and GM Workhorse 8.1 gas
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