Bypass the Water Heater of Your RV
Bypassing your water heater allows you to drain the water from it without affecting the rest of the water system. Here are some tips on how to bypass your RVs water heater.
Steps
- Note the location of the water heater access door on the exterior of the RV.
- Go inside and find the inside access to the water heater. This is usually behind a cabinet door, or behind a small piece of paneling screwed to the wall.
- Open the inside access to the water heater. You should be able to see the water lines running to and from the water heater.
- Count the number of valves on the water lines connected to the water heater. There should be either one or three valves.
- Follow the step according to the valve system you have. Depending on whether you have a one valve system or a three valve system, here is what to do next:
- One Valve System: Turn the valve to the vertical position. This valve should be on the lower line connected to the water heater.
- Three Valve System: Turn the top and bottom valves to the closed position (usually perpendicular to the line). Then turn the middle valve to the open position (usually parallel to the line).
Warnings
- If you have the electric element turned on when you drain the water heater, it will ruin the element.
- Always make sure all the heat sources of the water heater are switched off!
