No water in kitchen

[Kat307]

We have a 2011 Montana Big Sky 3280 RL. It’s been cold. But at first we had water in the kitchen, hot and cold. And we’re having issues with the hot water in the bathroom sink and shower, also the cold water freezing. Now we have cold water in the bathroom sink and shower and the cold water isn’t working in the kitchen. And no hot water anywhere. Which I assume the hot water is due to the cold. But can’t figure out why we have cold water available in the bathroom sink, shower and to washing machine and none in kitchen. Kitchen faucet does have the the sprayer integrated in to faucet tap. Please help…

 

[NH_Bulldog]

The plumbing lines are run in the belly and branch off to each fixture. Having water at one fixture but not another is fairly common since it is likely that the "branch" that feeds the kitchen sink is frozen. While PEX pipes are fairly flexible and not prone to burst, the plastic elbows and fittings are, so you need to try to keep the heat going and watch for leaks.

First and foremost, you have to run the furnace, and run it a lot and at a higher temperature than you normally would. This is the only way to keep enough heat in the belly area to limit or prevent frozen pipes. The water lines are run next to the flexible mylar heat ducts in the belly, so the radiant heat from the ducts will help keep things above freezing. The heat has to be moving through those ducts to evenly distribute the heat. Do not rely on electric space heaters or the electric fireplace for heat in the main living area or in the belly (aside from it being a fire hazard), the furnace needs to run long and often, and yes it is going to consume a lot of propane!

Lastly, a bit of a physics lesson; the greater the difference in temperate between two objects, the faster the rate of heat transfer. To put this into real world practice, hot water pipes will always freeze before cold water pipes.

 

[Kat307]

We have space heaters in the belly

 

[Kat307]

We have a 2011 Montana Big Sky 3280 RL. It’s been cold. But at first we had water in the kitchen, hot and cold. And we’re having issues with the hot water in the bathroom sink and shower, also the cold water freezing. Now we have cold water in the bathroom sink and shower and the cold water isn’t working in the kitchen. And no hot water anywhere. Which I assume the hot water is due to the cold. But can’t figure out why we have cold water available in the bathroom sink, shower and to washing machine and none in kitchen. Kitchen faucet does have the the sprayer integrated in to faucet tap. Please help…

Also I’ve been turning the faucet on and off in kitchen and messing with the button on the faucet tap that changes the flow from spray to normal and getting some drips. Could there be a blockage?

 

[jasin1]

Also I’ve been turning the faucet on and off in kitchen and messing with the button on the faucet tap that changes the flow from spray to normal and getting some drips. Could there be a blockage?

yes the blockage is likely the ice in that line…i’d turn your furnace on much higher along with whatever space heaters you currently use in the belly to try an thaw it out

 

[Kat307]

I’m hoping that’s all it is and will let loose today as it’s supposed to get above freezing. Normally the bathroom taps freeze first though

 

[JRTJH]

We have space heaters in the belly

Space heaters "IN THE BELLY" or space heaters "IN THE FORWARD STORAGE AREA" ???

The "belly" is under the trailer, above the COROPLAST but below the trailer floor decking. That space is typically around 10" deep, far too "tight" to safely place a space heater and maintain the required clearance to flammable materials around the space heater.....

That "belly" is where the heat ducts run from the furnace to the floor registers. The "belly" also has the PEX water pipes, plastic fittings, holding tanks and most of the electrical wiring for the trailer 12 VDC and 120 VAC systems.

A space heater "IN THE FORWARD STORAGE AREA" won't safely warm the PEX plumbing in the "BELLY" under the trailer, between the axles and tires.

 

[HandymanK]

Low Point Drains

I have found that the low point drain points will freeze and cause the no flow through the pex. I took some pool noodle and cut to length and pushed over the drain pipes. I have not had a freeze up since. I also put one on the water drain from the fresh water tank drain. This had also froze in the past and like I said it had not since I noodled my exposed pipes.