RV Maintenance Series: Why You Should Check for Water Leaks During Your Monthly RV Inspection

The Silent Enemy of Every RV: Water

If you’ve owned an RV for more than a few months, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Water is an RV’s worst enemy.” And it’s true. A tiny drip that goes unnoticed can lead to soft floors, mold, rotted wood, and thousands of dollars in repairs. Unlike other RV problems that might show up quickly, water leaks can stay hidden for weeks—or even months—before you realize what’s happening.

That’s exactly why regular rv maintenance inspections are so important. Catching issues early saves not only money, but also stress and lost travel time.

My Recent Experience: A Hidden Leak in the Pass-Through

During one of my monthly RV checks, I was cleaning out our front pass-through storage compartment when something caught my eye. Below the PEX lines that run through that space, I noticed a small pool of water.

At first, I thought the obvious culprit was a leaky PEX fitting. After all, they’re pressurized lines, and fittings can loosen or fail over time. Thankfully, we had made a smart modification a while back: we replaced part of the pass-through wall with plexiglass. That little change allowed me to see behind the wall without tearing anything apart.

And what I found surprised me.

The Real Culprit: A Faulty Black Tank Flush Valve

After a closer look, I realized the PEX lines weren’t leaking at all. The water was actually coming from the black tank flush vacuum breaker/check valve located just above. The valve was dripping slowly, and the water ran down along the line until it finally dripped at the lowest bend—exactly where I had first noticed the pooling.

If I hadn’t checked that day, the drip could have continued unnoticed for weeks. Over time, it might have caused hidden damage to the floor or surrounding wood. What looked like a small puddle could have easily turned into a major headache.

Why Monthly RV Maintenance Water Checks Are So Important

Here’s the truth: water leaks don’t announce themselves. They don’t make noise, they don’t trigger a warning light, and they rarely show up in an obvious spot. That’s why you need to go looking for them.

A monthly inspection should include:

• Checking under sinks and inside cabinets for drips or dampness

• Looking in pass-through storage compartments for signs of water

• Running your hands along visible plumbing lines for moisture

• Inspecting around windows, doors, and roof seals for leaks

• Checking beneath the RV (if accessible) for drips after running water systems

Even if you don’t find anything, the peace of mind is worth it. And if you do find something early, it’s usually a simple, affordable fix.

Preventative RV Maintenance Saves Big Money

Think about it this way: replacing a faulty check valve might cost you $20–$50 and a few minutes of your time. Repairing water-damaged flooring or walls, on the other hand, can run into the thousands—not to mention the hassle of tearing apart your RV to do the work.

The difference between a minor inconvenience and a major repair is often just whether or not you caught the problem early.

Final Thoughts

My recent inspection was a good reminder of why I always make time for monthly RV checks. In just a few minutes, I discovered a hidden leak that could have caused serious damage if left unchecked.

So here’s my advice: don’t wait for problems to find you—go looking for them. Set a reminder to do a quick inspection every month. A little time now can save you from big headaches later.

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where I’ll share how I discovered a loose furnace vent pipe that could have caused major problems if I hadn’t caught it early.