City Water Leaks
City water leaks can be simple, but they can also turn into a bigger problem fast because the plumbing is pressurized any time the campground spigot is on.
A small drip outside may be annoying and not much more. A small drip inside a cabinet is a different story. That kind of leak can quietly damage flooring, walls, or hidden wood before anyone notices it.
The first job is figuring out whether the leak is coming from the hose connection, the city-water inlet, or somewhere inside the RV plumbing system.
Common Signs
- Water dripping at the hose connection
- Water running down the exterior wall
- Water leaking near the city-water inlet
- Pump cycling when city water is disconnected
- Wet flooring or cabinets
- Reduced pressure at fixtures
- Water appearing only when hooked to campground water
Start With the Hose and Washer
The easiest thing to check is the hose washer. If it is damaged, flattened, missing, or out of place, it can cause a leak that looks worse than it really is.
A cheap rubber washer is a lot easier to replace than a fitting that was never actually the problem.
Pressure Regulators Matter
Campground pressure can vary a lot. Some places have weak pressure, while others run high enough to stress RV plumbing. A good pressure regulator helps protect the RV.
If the leak only shows up at one campground, incoming pressure should be part of the troubleshooting process.
City-Water Inlet Problems
The city-water inlet has threads, seals, and usually a check valve behind it. Any of those can leak. If water drips outside around the connection, the problem may be the hose washer or inlet threads. If water appears inside behind the inlet, the fitting or connection behind the wall needs a closer look.
This is where I would stop forcing fittings tighter. Overtightening can crack plastic parts and make a small problem much worse.
Check Inside Near the Inlet
After connecting city water, I like to check inside the RV near the wall where the inlet comes through. Look at cabinets, storage bays, flooring, and nearby plumbing lines. Sometimes the outside connection looks dry, but the inside fitting is leaking slowly.
Pump Versus City Water Clues
If the leak only happens on city water, the issue may involve campground pressure, the inlet, or another pressurized fitting. If the pump also causes the leak, the problem is probably somewhere in the RV plumbing system itself.
When To Stop
If water is getting into walls, cabinets, electrical areas, flooring, or structural spaces, stop and dry the area. Water damage spreads quickly in RVs. If the leak is behind a wall or near electrical components, qualified service is the safer path.