We're about to check out our water supply lines on our 77 Kingsley. We have the original hot water tank which seems to be in decent shape. We have removed the heat element and anode and have replacements ready to go into the tank. The water leads going into and coming out of the hot water tank were not in place when we purchased the coach. However there was a check valve attached to the bottom water connection to the tank which we assume to be the cold line. We will either replace the check valve or eliminate it completely if it's not necessary. Would anyone please comment on the check valve, whether it's necessary or not and if there is a better way to hook up the cold and hot lines.

We also noticed there is no shut off for the toilet water supply. What are the thoughts on putting one in the line before reinstalling the toilet. Not worth the effort or a really good idea?

As always, thanks for all your comments and help,

Agreed. In my case the check valve is also part of my winterization kit. I realize you have no idea what winter is down there.

There are different kinds of water heater bypass valves for winterizing. Some have three valves that you have to turn.

The one that I use has only one valve at the bottom inlet to the tank and a check valve at the top of the tank. There is a bypass hose between the bottom valve and the check valve.

I think there has been some confusion in the last several posts about check valves.

Some people have put a check valve at the cold water line going to the bottom of the tank supposedly to prevent hot water from backing up into the cold water line. I have never seen that as a problem.

The check valve provided with the hot water tank bypass single valve system has an entirely different function (to prevent water from going into the tank).

It has nothing to do with preventing hot water from going into cold water lines.

Emery Stora

emerystora wrote on Thu, 15 May 2014 17:51

There are different kinds of water heater bypass valves for winterizing. Some have three valves that you have to turn.

The one that I use has only one valve at the bottom inlet to the tank and a check valve at the top of the tank. There is a bypass hose between the bottom valve and the check valve.

I think there has been some confusion in the last several posts about check valves.

Some people have put a check valve at the cold water line going to the bottom of the tank supposedly to prevent hot water from backing up into the cold water line. I have never seen that as a problem.

The check valve provided with the hot water tank bypass single valve system has an entirely different function (to prevent water from going into the tank).

It has nothing to do with preventing hot water from going into cold water lines.

Emery Stora

As Emery stated, I have one in the output for winterization. I also have one in the input to prevent input water from backing up. The input one was there OEM and I never removed it. It probably could come out since the output one would prevent most water back up and only the slight amount from expansion would be involved.

Ken Burton wrote on Thu, 15 May 2014 19:34

emerystora wrote on Thu, 15 May 2014 17:51

There are different kinds of water heater bypass valves for winterizing. Some have three valves that you have to turn.

The one that I use has only one valve at the bottom inlet to the tank and a check valve at the top of the tank. There is a bypass hose between the bottom valve and the check valve.

I think there has been some confusion in the last several posts about check valves.

Some people have put a check valve at the cold water line going to the bottom of the tank supposedly to prevent hot water from backing up into the cold water line. I have never seen that as a problem.

The check valve provided with the hot water tank bypass single valve system has an entirely different function (to prevent water from going into the tank).

It has nothing to do with preventing hot water from going into cold water lines.

Emery Stora

As Emery stated, I have one in the output for winterization. I also have one in the input to prevent input water from backing up. The input one was there OEM and I never removed it. It probably could come out since the output one would prevent most water back up and only the slight amount from expansion would be involved.

Ken, my point is that people haven't installed check valves, GM did.