What Is The Difference Between A Check Valve And By-Pass Kit

Question:

Could the failure of this valve be the reason I still got anti-freeze in my hot water tank even though I had the By-Pass valve in the By-Pass position when winterizing my 2004 Monaco Knight coach ?

asked by: Gene

Helpful Expert Reply:

Antifreeze leaking into the water heater could be remotely caused by a bad check valve, however, this would all depend on the location of the check valve. Generally speaking, there are only 2 check valves installed in the plumbing system for an RV. There is one coming from the city water inlet and one on the fresh water tank. A check valve such as the Valterra Check Valve part # P23415LFVP is designed to prevent water from backfeeding into your freshwater tank or city water connection and help pressurize the lines. In most RV plumbing applications, the cold water line running to the RV's water heater is redirected to the hot line using a bypass valve such as the Valterra EZ Turn RV Water Heater By-Pass Kit part # P23505LFVP. If the water heater has antifreeze in it while the bypass is open, you more than likely have a bad bypass than a faulty check valve.

If you can tell me as to where the check valve is located, I can provide further information for you.

expert reply by: Conner L