How To Fix A Leaking Shower Drain In An RV?

Why Shower Drain Leaks

RV plumbing is a little different than a typical home plumbing system. Black and gray tanks can become clogged with hair, waste, or grease. Because of this clogging problem, it renders your RV shower or toilet unusable. Leaks and clogs happen for a variety of reasons, or maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve cleaned your tanks.

To understand why your shower drain leaks, you have to make sure that your drain valve is functioning correctly. If the drain valve is open and the water is not moving back in the sink or shower, your gray tank or the drain may be leaking. When the gray tank is full, the water should flow back up and out through the lowest drain. But if the gray tank is empty and the water does not drain from the shower, that means one of your drain pipes is clog or leaking.

Additionally, most RVers experience a kind of situation where the pipe from the shower drain becomes loose. In certain times, the attaching collar from the drain is not fixed or broken or full of grease or food buildup.

Note: Some RVs come with two separate tanks, one each for the bathroom and the kitchen.

How to Fix a Leaking Shower Drain in RV

Once you have determined the cause of the problem, you have to seal the part where your pipe is leaking. It’s best to apply a solution immediately to prevent further damages to your shower drain and your RV.

Here are some solutions that you can apply if your shower drain or sink is leaking.

• Hot water – if your tank is not draining correctly, the simplest way to unclog your shower drain is to flush the pipes with warm water to clear out any grease built up inside. Pour hot water into a shower drain or sink to remove any blockage or food buildup.
  
  
  • Boil 2 or 4 liters of water
  • Remove any caps or strainers in your drain
  • Pour hot water in the shower drain or sink
  • Allow the hot water to stay for some hours.
• Chemicals and DIY Solutions – you can try using chemicals that are designed for clearing food buildup or stubborn grease inside RV drains. You can also opt to go with DIY options or whatever you have at home to seal the leaks in shower drains or sink. If you’re using a store-bought chemical, a sealant, or a fast-drying putty, follow the instructions indicated in the package.
  
  
  • Before applying the sealant, dry the area around the leaking pipe.
  • Put a sealant or fast-drying around the pipe or shower drain
  • Avoid any liquids or water to flow through the tube.
• P-Trap Replacement – another way to permanently fix the leak problem in your shower drain is by replacing the P-trap tube that is running from the drain to the pipe.
  
  
  • You have to unscrew and remove the old P-trap tube.
  • Screw the gasket where you will put the newly bought P-trap
  • You can apply a small portion of putty around the joints of P-trap into the shower drain.
  • Connect the end part of the P-trap into the drain pipe.
  • Let the P-trap replacement sits for some time.

How to Keep Your Shower Drain Leak-Free

Once you've resolved the leak in your shower drain, you should take into account ensuring that it won't happen again. Using an affordable drain screen to prevent the food and hair from getting into the drain. You can also use a disposable container to trap the food buildup and grease so you can dump it properly.

Always keep your sink and drain clean and free from hair and food debris. You should regularly clean the drains by using the vinegar method or baking soda. It helps to remove unwanted particles in the pipes, and it keeps the smell fresh.

To prevent thick molds, grimes, and mildew buildup, you should clean your shower tub and drain after use. You can use a small squeegee to clear off excess soap scum towards the RV shower drain.

Before removing clogs in your drains, keep in mind to check that your gray water tank isn’t full. Most problems with drain leak and clog happen when the plumbing system is not being taken care of properly. So, make sure to apply regular maintenance to make sure you stay away from the pipe and drain leak problems.

Conclusion

Having a shower in your RV is one of the things that can freshen up after an exhausting road trip or outdoor adventure. Knowing how to use it and fixing it can help limit your frustrations. An RV shower is different from a home shower, but with a bit of patience and knowledge about shower clog or leak, you'll be able to resolve the problem without costly paying a repairer.

Hopefully, you've learned much about how to fix a leaking shower drain, so when you face this kind of situation, you know what to do.

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