RV Leak Detection & Pipe Repair in Jensen Beach

Water leaks in an RV are sneaky. They don't always show up where the damage is happening. A fitting that fails behind a wall panel can send water running along floor joists for weeks before you notice a soft spot or a musty smell. In Florida's humidity, that hidden moisture turns into mold fast, sometimes within 48 hours. Scott Marlins has traced and repaired hundreds of RV plumbing leaks across Jensen Beach, and the single biggest lesson from 10+ years of doing this work is that early detection saves you thousands in secondary damage.

Why RV Leaks Are Worse in Florida

Jensen Beach sits in one of the most humid environments in the country. The average relative humidity here runs between 70% and 80% year-round, and during summer it frequently exceeds 90%. That means any moisture inside your RV's walls, floor, or ceiling has almost zero chance of drying out on its own. Instead, it feeds mold growth, rots wood framing, delaminates wall panels, and corrodes electrical connections.

We've seen $300 pipe repairs turn into $3,000 water damage jobs because the owner waited a few weeks to call. The pipe fix itself is straightforward. The mold remediation and floor replacement that come with delayed action are not. According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), mold colonization begins within 24 to 48 hours of sustained moisture exposure in warm environments.

Florida's heat also plays a role. The temperature inside an RV's walls and undercarriage compartments can reach 150 degrees in direct sun. That heat cycles plastic PEX fittings through constant expansion and contraction, eventually loosening crimp rings and push-to-connect joints. It's a slower failure than freeze damage, but just as inevitable without periodic inspection.

How We Find Hidden Leaks

Our leak detection process starts with a visual inspection, but the real work happens with tools. We pressure test your freshwater system by closing all fixtures and monitoring the pump's behavior. A system that holds pressure is tight. A system where the pump cycles every few minutes has a leak somewhere, even if you can't see it.

For leaks behind walls or under flooring, we use a pin-type moisture meter to map the wet area. Water follows gravity and framing members, so the wet spot on your wall might be 4 feet from where the fitting actually failed. By testing moisture levels at multiple points, we trace the water back to its origin point without tearing apart your RV unnecessarily.

We also inspect every accessible fitting, connection, and valve in the system. Many RV leaks happen at the water heater connections, the toilet water supply, or where lines pass through the floor. These connection points vibrate with every mile you drive, and over time, that vibration loosens fittings that were perfectly tight when the RV left the factory.

Pipe Repair and Repiping

Most modern RVs (built after 2005 or so) use PEX tubing for their freshwater plumbing. PEX itself rarely fails. It's the fittings and connections that give out. We carry a full selection of PEX crimp fittings, push-to-connect fittings, and SharkBite-style connectors on the truck, along with PEX tubing in both 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch sizes (the two most common in RV applications).

For older RVs with rigid CPVC or polybutylene pipe, we can either patch the existing system or repipe sections with PEX. Repiping a problematic section is often the better long-term investment, especially if the existing pipe material has a history of failure. Polybutylene, in particular, is known for becoming brittle and cracking with age, and many insurance companies won't cover damage from polybutylene pipe failures.

Every repair includes a full pressure test before we button things up. We run the system at operating pressure for a minimum of 15 minutes with all fixtures closed, checking every connection we touched plus the surrounding fittings. That way you know the repair is solid before we leave.

Common Leak Locations in RVs

After 3,200+ total repairs, we've learned exactly where to look first. These are the most common leak sources we find in RVs serviced across Jensen Beach and Martin County.

Leak Location	Typical Repair Cost
Water heater inlet/outlet fittings	$95 - $200
Toilet supply line connection	$95 - $175
Under-floor PEX fitting failure	$175 - $350
Kitchen/bathroom faucet supply lines	$120 - $225
Shower valve or diverter	$150 - $300
Section repipe (up to 10 feet)	$250 - $600

Signs You Should Call Right Away

Don't wait on any of these. A soft or spongy spot on your RV's floor means water has already been soaking into the subfloor for a while. Musty or mildew smells inside the RV (especially when it's been closed up) indicate moisture is trapped somewhere it shouldn't be. Water stains on walls or ceilings are obvious indicators, but people sometimes write them off as condensation.

If your freshwater tank level drops faster than your actual usage explains, there's a leak in the pressurized system somewhere. And if your water pump cycles on and off without any faucets running, that's the pump detecting a pressure drop from a leak. Both of those symptoms should trigger an immediate inspection to prevent further damage.

One more subtle sign: if you notice your RV feels heavier on one side when leveling, accumulated water weight from a hidden leak could be the cause. We've found leaks that deposited 50+ pounds of water in floor cavities and wall voids. That weight doesn't just cause leveling issues, it accelerates structural damage.

Our Repair Process

Step 1: Call 772-356-0328 and describe what you're seeing. We'll narrow down the likely cause over the phone and give you a ballpark estimate.

Step 2: We arrive at your location with moisture meters, pressure testing equipment, PEX tools, and the most commonly needed fittings and parts. No second trips to the parts store.

Step 3: We diagnose the leak source, explain exactly what's happening, and quote a firm price before any repair work begins. No surprises.

Step 4: We make the repair, pressure test the system, verify all connections, and clean up. Most leak repairs take 1 to 4 hours depending on accessibility and scope.

Related Plumbing Services

• Water Pump Repair
• Drain & Tank Service
• Valve & Fixture Replacement

Call 772-356-0328 for a free estimate on any RV leak or pipe issue. We'll come to you.