Found a kink in water pipe..

[HNB]

Hi all...i brought my caravan back to mine today to get things checked over and have a lil play about as its a new van to me and im off away for weekend soon.

Anyways...when i was doing the water th tap was open..so i closed it and thats when i noticed the kink.

On the intake pipe from the pump i spotted it.

Now the flow from the taps does not seem to strong nor to weak,although if i have both bathroom and kitchen tap on at same time,both quite weak streams,persume this is normal?

A few pics of the kink...thoughts/advice apreciated!

 

[Bwlch]

I'm not an expert on caravans but I am a plumber and I would change that pipe. The reduction in bore size will put strain on your pump and reduce the flow (just like a kink in a hose pipe). Use a longer piece of pipe so it can follow the line of the fitting spigot without straining. Enjoy your new van.

 

[Dustydog]

Looks like something heavy has rested for quite a while on the pipe. Note the black marks.
I agree. For a few pence change the flexible pipe and watch what gets stored in future.
I've experienced the same problem but with the main warm air heater pipe.
Shame the manufacturers don't route them out of the way or cover with some strong but light weight protection.

 

[HNB]

thanks for replies guys!!

will one pipe be ok, not kink back or do you reckon maybe buying some plastic bends/elbows and modding it slightly?

 

[Anseo]

thanks for replies guys!!
will one pipe be ok, not kink back or do you reckon maybe buying some plastic bends/elbows and modding it slightly?

Ideally the fewer the number of joints the better, but I would prefer to use an elbowbend in your case, or carefully pre-form a replacement section using a hot air gun.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Unlike Dusty, I don't think anything has been lying on the pipe, its my suspicion its the tightness of the bends that has caused it to kink, aided by raised temperature whilst in storage which has softened teh pipe allowing it kink. The dark spots are most likely general dirt collecting in the kink.

The underlying cause is the tightness of the bends and that the problem that needs to be addressed. Replacing the flexible pipe with ridgid and preformed bends is one way and would work effectively, but like Anseo I agree the fewer joints the better.

I can suggest another possible solution, Use a longer piece of water pipe to create a 360 degree loop, like a turn of a spring this would reduce the severity of the pipe bends. Do make sure you use potable water pipe.

 

[HNB]

thanks guys, i will pop to a caravan supplies ans see what they have on shelf, and go from there!

thanks again

 

[HNB]

anyone know what size pipe it will be? thanks

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

anyone know what size pipe it will be? thanks

You will have to measure what you have as pipe comes in two sizes, 8mm or 10mm (internal?)
Fittings come in two sizes, 12mm or 15mm (external?)
See examples here from CAK Tanks
Life is never easy.

 

[Bwlch]

I agree with the prof, use a single piece of pipe and put a 360 in it like the start of a spiral so it is straight at both connections

 

[ProfJohnL]

Normally 10mm or 3/8inch

 

[DrZhivago]

Looks like someone before you has done a horrible lash-up, possibly after the original was also damaged. I suspect that the connection at each end should be a standard push-fit connector (eg made by John Guest), 10 or 12 mm as Woodlands Camper said, probably 12 mm in this case. Is that a push-fit connector at the far end?

The "size" is the external diameter of the pipe, and an eg nominally 12mm connector fits nominally 12mm hose. There are straight and elbow connectors, and adaptors between the two sizes available. You could with two elbows "Z" bend that line down into the corner more if it helps alignment, but as someone else said, the fewer joints the better. You can see stuff here for example :- www.caravanaccessoryshop.co.uk/category/12mm-push-fit-fittings/241

Caravan water hose that I have worked with is tough stuff and will not readily kink, and not that easy to bend either. The hose in your picture looks (from the way it has stetched over the spigot in picture 2) like something soft that someone found in an oddments box. Anyway, proper hose is usually blue or red (for hot and cold water) as a standard colour code. You need to cut a new piece of hose say 6" longer than you need and lay it along the proposed route, trimming the length until it goes comfortably and meeting the end connections in straight alignment. The on it goes with the push-fit connectors.

 

[HNB]

thanks for replies guys.

the pipe is the same as all other water pipes in or around that area, so must be original surely?

i will see whats at the caravan shop and go from there, a few good suggestions on what to do...thanks.

 

[HNB]

Got round to changing the pipe today...

Half a meter and fed it under the gas pipe to help keep the loop how i want. Got a perfect smooth loop and the water flow out of taps is alot better too!



The original pipe i took off had a push fit connector on the end...can you buy these pipes?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The original pipe i took off had a push fit connector on the end...can you buy these pipes?

The fittings - yes. Click here

 

[HNB]

The pipe seems like its attatched to the connector though,it wont seperate.

 

[HNB]

Never mind...managed to seperate them now iv had time lol

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

The pipe is probably just a push fit on the spigot. It has been compressed/deformed by the jubilee clip and would need to be cut off carefully lengthwise if you want to use the connector again.

 

[HNB]

I used a screw driver and stretched the pipe. I did not use it (obviously) again, the new repair aint leaking,will it be ok without it or should i put it back on?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I used a screw driver and stretched the pipe. I did not use it (obviously) again, the new repair aint leaking,will it be ok without it or should i put it back on?

The job you have done looks fine, and no you don't need to use the push on fittings, They are used by manufacturers becasue they are quicker to install and don't require tools.

 

[Hutch]

Nice replacment , push fit top and Jubbile clip orher end and good pipe run. Well done. 10 /10.
Hutch..

 

[chrisn7]

The device that kinked hose connects too is the water pressure sensor. Remember where it is - you'll be getting to know that quite well

 

[HNB]

thanks, i did scratch my head at first wondering how top connector came off lol

The device that kinked hose connects too is the water pressure sensor. Remember where it is - you'll be getting to know that quite well

why you say that? what problems will i get/symptoms?

 

[ProfJohnL]

I'm not sure what Chisn7's concern is. It's likely to be better than it used to be with the kink!

The only minor point I can see is that with loop, the water may airlock when trying to drain down, but just a blow through should be fine.

 

[Dustydog]

I'm not sure what Chisn7's concern is. It's likely to be better than it used to be with the kink!

The only minor point I can see is that with loop, the water may airlock when trying to drain down, but just a blow through should be fine.

Hi Prof.
I believe he is referring to the Whale water pressure sensor to which the pipe attaches.Not the pipe itself.
These sensors can fail and when it does the OP will.know where to look :cheer: