No water to bathroom sink and toilet but shower/tub is ok

Beernutzbob · 09-11-2022, 01:15 PM

Last weekend we took our Outback 240URS out for the first time since we finished a long trip in early July. Upon arrival we found that two of the three water sources in the bathroom, the sink and the toilet, produced only a dribble of water, while the shower/tub worked fine.

It appears that the water for the sink and toilet comes from pex lines that run back under the shower/tub. I've included some pictures below of the bathroom and of under the bathroom since. In the last picture the 409 bottle is in from of the T in the line which feeds the toilet it's water.

I previously removed the white cover which provides access to under the tub on the side of the tub but I can only see some pex and a bit of heating vent tubing behind it. We also have a kitchen sink and an outdoor shower and both of them are working fine.

Any suggestions on how to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated.

**sourdough** · 09-11-2022, 02:00 PM

Just for grins did you take the aerator off the bathroom sink to see if that affected anything?

**chuckster57** · 09-11-2022, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

Just for grins did you take the aerator off the bathroom sink to see if that affected anything?

Sorta what I’m thinking…plugged aerator

wiredgeorge · 09-11-2022, 06:55 PM

Might be the issue but the OP said the toilet had low pressure as well....

**sourdough** · 09-11-2022, 07:04 PM

My suggestion was to see if there was debris. I have a hard time thinking the pex got stopped up/bent etc. while sitting there, debris would definitely make more sense IMO after taking off on a trip and "stirring things up". Maybe we'll see.

**chuckster57** · 09-12-2022, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Might be the issue but the OP said the toilet had low pressure as well....

There is a screen at the pex connection to the toilet.

Texas Steve · 09-12-2022, 04:05 AM

If it is both the hot and the cold water at the sink, then I would also suspect that the aerator is plugged with debris. Tell us what you find...

Beernutzbob · 09-12-2022, 06:26 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I didn't check the sink aerator for debris nor the screen on the toilet pex but will try to get to the trailer soon and check and post again.

We did have a bit of a rough ride back on that previous long trip as when we got home from the last leg the microwave was on the floor.

Lee · 09-12-2022, 07:00 AM

Hi,

I routinely have a similar issue as the OP.

This is what I believe is happening, at least with my TT. My TT is a rear bathroom model with the hot water tank also in the rear. I only boondock using the FWT and on board pump for water. When the pump runs, it charges up the entire water system to around 40psi and shuts off. The hot water tank has an air pocket in it that is also compressed to 40psi.

With the pump off and the system charged to 40psi, if I open a cold water tap (flush the toilet, etc.) the pressurized air pocket forces water out of the hot water tank's cold water input line to the open cold water tap. Inside the HWT is debris from the decomposing anode rod. This debris is what is clogging the strainer on both my toilet and bathroom sink.

The strainer on the sink tap is an easy clean but the toilet is a PIA, so I cut the pex line supplying water to the toilet and installed an ON/OFF valve and then a strainer/filter.

Beernutzbob · 09-12-2022, 09:49 AM

I couldn't remove the aerator from the bathroom sink to check it for debris. I didn't want to force it and possibly break it. Is it possible that a special tool is needed to remove the aerator on the type faucet pictured below?

I also didn't see a screen where the blue cold water pex connects to the toilet in the back. If it is there it eluded me.

I did confirm that there is a T connection just above and to the right of where the circular black heating vent is located in the picture which makes it for practical purposes inaccessible.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Lee · 09-12-2022, 10:08 AM

The aerator on the sink tap should unscrew. You may need to gently use a pair of pliers.

The screen for the toilet is located in the valve for the toilet. It's very difficult to get to on my RV. When you unscrew the pex from the toilet valve,.... the screen can be seen in the valve.

Beernutzbob · 09-12-2022, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

The aerator on the sink tap should unscrew. You may need to gently use a pair of pliers.

The screen for the toilet is located in the valve for the toilet. It's very difficult to get to on my RV. When you unscrew the pex from the toilet valve,.... the screen can be seen in the valve.

Thanks Lee.

If you have a similar faucet does the entire downspout part (A in the picture) unscrew or does the aerator unscrew from the bottom (B in the picture)?

wiredgeorge · 09-12-2022, 11:21 AM

Impossible to tell which type aerator you have as the image is too small. It will either have eternal thread or internal but just unscrews (remember lefty loosey). Here are aerators and one will be just like your's.
https://www.homedepot.com/s/bathroom...aerator?NCNI-5

Maineiacs · 09-12-2022, 11:27 AM

The first time I had to clean the aerator it was jammed on tight. I took a pair of channel lock pliers and used a rag in the jaws to avoid scratching the plastic chrome. Now it's just hand tightened and easy to clean.

**sourdough** · 09-12-2022, 12:52 PM

It should come off with pliers. Remember those things are made of very thin metal (or plastic?) and if you grip the pliers too tight it just makes the aerator even more difficult to unscrew. There will be a "happy" place in the grip pressure to get it off without crushing it into the faucet body making it harder to remove.

Beernutzbob · 09-12-2022, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I'll try again and post results.

wiredgeorge · 09-12-2022, 03:03 PM

If you screw up an aerator, keep in mind they come in a variety of diameters and styles but all can be found at most good hardware store if you do ding one up.

Beernutzbob · 09-14-2022, 12:44 PM

Thanks again all. The sink problem was due to a clogged aerator. I got it unscrewed and cleaned it out then let the water run a while with no aerator and the problem seems solved. The debris looks like some finely ground light colored rock.

The water assembly module of the Thetford 31683 toilet is going to be a bit more difficult to fix. It is in awkward position and I don't want to break it trying to unscrew it to get to the screen which I suspect is clogged with the same debris.

Lee · 09-15-2022, 08:05 AM

Good Job!!!

That looks exactly like the same debris I find in mine.

**flybouy** · 09-15-2022, 08:23 AM

It's minerals in the water and the flakes from the anode rod in the water heater. After riding the water lines of the debris, get a good water filter for the city water and use it when filling the fresh water tank. Also draining and flushing the HW tank on a regular basis will reduce the buildup caused by the anode rod.

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