How do you replace an RV faucet?
Start by killing the water: turn off the 12V water pump (or city water) and open the faucet to relieve pressure. Then it's the same as a home faucet, just in tighter quarters. One tip — buy an RV-specific faucet rather than a heavy residential one; they're sized for RV sinks (often 4-inch centers) and lighter.
- Disconnect the supply lines under the sink — many RVs use PEX with quick-connect fittings, others use threaded or compression connections.
- Remove the mounting nuts holding the old faucet to the sink and lift it out.
- Set the new faucet, hand-tighten the mounting nuts, and reconnect the lines (add fresh PTFE/plumber's tape to any threaded connections).
- Turn the pump back on, check for leaks at every connection, and run both hot and cold to bleed the air.
Why is my RV P-trap leaking?
RV P-traps are usually plastic with slip-nut connections and rubber washers. Leaks come from three things: a slip nut that's worked loose with road vibration, a washer that's dried out or cracked, or a hairline crack in the trap itself.
Start simple — hand-tighten the slip nuts plus a quarter turn and run water to see if the drip stops. If it still weeps, take the joint apart and replace the rubber slip washers (a cheap kit), making sure they seat squarely. Replace the trap if it's cracked.
What about sewer smell from the sink?
If there's no puddle but you smell sewer, the trap is doing its job wrong. A traditional P-trap can dry out when the RV sits, letting tank gas up the drain — just run water to refill it. Many newer RVs use a HepvO-style waterless valve instead; if that smells, the one-way membrane has failed and the cartridge needs replacing.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use a regular house faucet in my RV?
You can, but RV-specific faucets are lighter and sized for RV sinks (often 4-inch centers), so they fit and seal better. Whatever you choose, shut off the water pump and relieve pressure before swapping it.
Why does my RV sink leak underneath?
Most under-sink leaks are a loose P-trap slip nut, a dried-out or cracked rubber washer, or a cracked trap. Hand-tighten the slip nuts first; if it still weeps, replace the rubber washers or the trap.
Why does my RV sink smell like sewer?
Either the P-trap dried out and is letting tank gas through — run water to refill it — or, on RVs with a HepvO-style waterless trap, the one-way valve cartridge has failed and needs replacing.