Let this post serve as a reminder to clean your water pump filter. The filter is there to help catch particles to prevent damage to your water pump.
The following pictures show a lot of shavings that came from production. Sometimes it can take a number of uses for them to get into the filter.
The water pump strainer filter is a 1/2″ twist-on pipe strainer. These are typically attached to your water pumps. In most cases, they are hidden behind the panel in your compartment area.
Don’t forget to clean them regularly. A dirty water pump filter can cause low pressure on the water pump side. Not to mention it causes your pump to work harder, which can cause damage over time.
Do you need a replacement filter? If so, you can find one here.
Additional ways of maintaining your RV water pump
Outside of filter maintenance, there are additional ways of maintaining your RV water pump. These include:
- Water line inspection
- Check for any kinks or cracks in the water lines. Also, ensure that mounting brackets are secure.
- Leaks can cause your water pump to work harder than it needs to.
- Connection inspection
- Road vibration can cause connections to come loose. Loose connections can cause leaks, excessive noise and the water pump to work harder.
- Sanitization
- Algae or scale buildup on the diaphragm and valves can cause low flow and leak-back issues. Routinely sanitizing your fresh water system can prolong the life of your water pump.
- Winterize your unit prior to winter storage.
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More from Dustin
Read more of Dustin’s articles here.
Dustin owns and operates California RV Specialists, an independent RV repair shop located in Lodi, CA. He thrives on sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of RV repair and maintenance with his team, customers, and virtual friends.
Be sure to check out his YouTube channel where he shares what’s going on in the shop and the product offerings in the store. Dustin is also very active on Facebook. Join his group, RV Repairs and Tips – What’s in the shop!
Dustin proudly operates the business alongside his wife, Ashley; but the true pair that run the show are their Boston Terriers, Arvie and Hitch.
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Coachmen put my water pump under the shower pan. I can access it when I climb into the rear storage area, remove a small panel and pretend I’m a contortionist. I struggle to connect the bypass tube when I winterize. I don’t know if there is a filter or not. Guess that’s one more thing to add to my list for your crew to look at next spring.
On my 2017 Forest River 34QS, I have a shurflo water pump & it does have a filter & it did need cleaning from all the factory drilling & hole cutting. I was having water pressure issues & found out that there was some debris in the pump filter, also it was actually not tightened tight either, not had an issue since then! My pump was easy to access & easy to clean the filter!
Thanks Dustin for your informative articles
Happy holidays to you & your family & crew
Snoopy
Thanks so much for sharing, Snoopy! Always good to hear from you whether in the comments of an article or on the Livestream. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Do all RV water pumps have a built-in filter? Rarely do I fill the water tank in my Jayco 5th wheel but when I do I encorporate a blue in-line filter on the filler hose. My pump, which is rarely used, is behind a not-so-easily removed panel and I’ve never closely inspected it.
My 2021 Jay Flight travel trailer came with the small water pump filter. I think the pump might be a Sureflow.
Thanks for sharing, Bob!
Ray, thanks for the question. While not ALL water pumps come equipped with this filter, I would say most (95%) do. This filter is an add-on and it’s sole purpose is to catch particles before going in and damaging the pump.
Dustin, Your article on Maintaining your water pump was just OK, as for Sanitation of the pump what’s the best way? Me new to this on board water situation, thanks….
Jimmy, as a friend of mine likes to say, “GTS”. (Google That ‘Stuff’). You’ll find lots of online info on sanitizing you RV water system. It’s not hard to do.
Thanks, Tony! 😉
Thanks for the feedback, Jimmyb.
What we love to use in the shop, is https://amzn.to/3hMDdtp Thetford’s Fresh Water Tank Sanitizer Detergent and Sanitizer Treatment. It gives you step by step instructions. I will say, a little goes a LONG way. Additionally, when you think you’ve rinsed it all, keep rinsing! It does a wonderful job cleaning and sanitizing the inside of the freshwater tanks and all the plumbing.
Merry Christmas!