Banging Pipes

rjack · 07-01-2020, 02:40 AM

Have a 2018 34RL and have recently noticed intermittent banging / shaking water pipes when we are using the sink(s). This happens more when using the bathroom sink, but also occasionally with the kitchen sink. Also happens either with hot or cold water. The noise sounds very similar to water hammer, but I'm used to water hammer in our old house when the valve to our irrigation system slams shut thus causing the hammer in the pipes. This is the opposite scenario, when we are opening the taps to use the sinks.

I opened up the basement to see if I could visually trace any issues, but only found that all of the lines I could spot don't seem to be tightly connected to any supports and are free to shake around with the pump vibration. If it happened all the time i would think there would be an issue with the pump, or maybe try to loop the pump lines, but it is very intermittent as mentioned.

I've never heard of hammer with open valves, just as they close (and very fast) and was wondering if anyone had any idea of my problem?

Thanks!

r time soon · 07-01-2020, 02:45 AM

Might want to double check your model number as I don’t believe Redwood ever made a 34 RL model. Possibly a 3401? Water lines can hammer but it is not very common in Rv’s. You might be able to place pipe foam wrap/insulation around the pex lines that you can see and get too. Normally a common complaint is a vibration when the water pump runs. The braided lines in and out of the water pump instead of solid pex usually eliminates that.

rjack · 07-01-2020, 04:42 AM

Yes it’s a 3401RL (I typically drop the “01” for ease of use). Ok thanks for the tip, so you would suggest replacing the pex lines with the steel braided lines on the inlet and outlet of the water pump then? My issue is much more of a loud and rapid banging/pulsing of the lines and reminds me of hammer, just not sure if it is or not.

Can I just connect a pair of 12” braided lines to the pex lines just before and after the pump as to avoid tracing the lines back to the source to replace the entire line?

Thanks again for the help.

r time soon · 07-01-2020, 04:47 AM

Stainless braided lines would be overkill. Only dealing with 45 to 65 psi max pressure anyway. Are you using a good pressure regulator and on city water supply or does this happen when using the water pump drawing from your fresh water tank ? By braided I meant the white polyester or nylon reinforced lines.

rjack · 07-01-2020, 05:56 PM

Thanks for clearing that up for me. Its happening when using the water pump drawing from the fresh water tank, not sure if that changes the diagnosis at all?

mhs4771 · 07-01-2020, 08:22 PM

Yep, it sure does. Those water pumps are designed to wake the dead.
You can modify it by using some flex hose from the pump to the ridige PEX and you can try mounting the pump it's self on some more isolators.

brad chilton · 07-01-2020, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjack

Have a 2018 34RL and have recently noticed intermittent banging / shaking water pipes when we are using the sink(s). This happens more when using the bathroom sink, but also occasionally with the kitchen sink. Also happens either with hot or cold water. The noise sounds very similar to water hammer, but I'm used to water hammer in our old house when the valve to our irrigation system slams shut thus causing the hammer in the pipes. This is the opposite scenario, when we are opening the taps to use the sinks.

I opened up the basement to see if I could visually trace any issues, but only found that all of the lines I could spot don't seem to be tightly connected to any supports and are free to shake around with the pump vibration. If it happened all the time i would think there would be an issue with the pump, or maybe try to loop the pump lines, but it is very intermittent as mentioned.

I've never heard of hammer with open valves, just as they close (and very fast) and was wondering if anyone had any idea of my problem?

Thanks!

Just buy some pipe insulation and put on Your lines around fresh water pump ... This will take care of your noise ... I had same issue ... I went ahead in addition to pump and insulated all the lines I could get to for winter time issues.
Brad

rjack · 07-02-2020, 01:37 AM

Great thanks for the suggestions guys, will take a crack at both in the coming days.

XCMARK · 07-02-2020, 02:14 AM

get your self a RV water system accumulator , The pump runs less and cause less virbration. I cant recall if the kit comes with two 20" long flex lines, If it doesn't get that kit also. I got mine off Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Seaflo-Pre-Pr...94358144&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-94-59...90SVJQA4BB4BCA

Elliott & Vicky · 07-11-2020, 07:14 PM

Tighten all the hose connections leading to the pump from the tank, make sure the filter cover is tight, and see that the valve from the winterizing hose is fully turned. You could have a tiny leak which is not large enough to stop the pump from drafting, but big enough to allow small air bubbles to get in to the lines before the pump. This is a long shot, but easy to check it out, and a free fix if this is the problem.

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