Are RV faucets different than home faucets? This question is common among RV enthusiasts. RV sink faucets and home faucets are typically the same on the surface, but one difference is how they connect to the plumbing system.
You may need to use adapters to replace your recreational vehicle’s faucet with a regular faucet. Otherwise, your faucet may not work correctly. Read on to learn more about RV faucets vs. home faucets, so you can make the right decision when you purchase a replacement faucet for your RV.
In This Article:
Can Home Faucets Work in Your RV?
There is not much difference between RV faucets and home faucets from a visual perspective. While they look identical, they differ in how they fit with your RV’s plumbing design. There are noticeable differences between RV faucet connectors and home faucet connectors.
Take a close look at a rec vehicles faucet and you will notice that it connects to flexible tubes, which are standard for RV plumbing. Home faucets feature threaded metallic connectors that connect to threaded metal pipes.
That means home faucets are not readily compatible with RVs, so you will need to make some modifications if you want to use a standard home faucet in your RV.
Can Residential Kitchen Sink Faucets Work in an RV?
It is possible to replace your camper faucet with a residential kitchen sink faucet. However, you may need adapters to connect a regular home faucet to your RV.
As mentioned earlier, RV plumbing systems are different from the ones we use in our homes. But you can use residential faucets in your RV without problems, provided you use adapters.
Can Home Shower Faucets Work in an RV?
The design of residential shower faucets is slightly different from RV shower faucets. But you can replace your RV shower faucet with a home shower faucet.
Like home faucets, you will need adapters to ensure the home shower faucet fits and works correctly in your RV. Otherwise, you may have a hard time connecting the shower faucet, and your RV shower will not work efficiently.
Can Home Pipes Work in RV Plumbing System?
RV plumbing is not much different from a traditional home plumbing. Your RV plumbing allows you to shower, wash your dishes, and perform basic household clean up. Apart from the connectors, other elements in your RV plumbing, including the sinks, is the same as what we use in our homes.
The way you fasten the faucets when you connect them to your kitchen sink is also the same. That means you can use home pipes in your RV plumbing designwithout any problem. You only need to find adapters that are compatible with regular home faucets so you can use them instead of your camper’s faucets.
A faucet adapter is a small piece of equipment that allows you to attach a faucet to an incompatible plumbing system. Without a faucet adapter, you will not be able to connect a home faucet to an RV’s plumbing.
There are different types of faucet adapters:
- Male/male adaptersconvert a female spout to male threads.
- Female/female adaptersconvert a male spout to female threads.
- Female/maleadapterschange the size of male threads.
- Hose thread adaptersconvert faucet thread to garden hose threads.
- Cache adaptersconvert a recessed thread faucet to standard male threads.
Before you purchase an adapter, check your faucet spout to see if it is male or female threaded. A female-threaded spout has its threads inside the end of the spout. A male-threaded spout has its threads outside of the spout.
Three Things To Consider Before Replacing RV Kitchen Faucets
Replacing your RV sink faucet is one of the simplest and cheapest ways to transform your RVs interior’s look and feel. Here are some things to consider before purchasing your replacement:
- Measurements —The first step is to take measurements to ensure the faucet you are buying fits your RV sink. Take note of the position of the holes and the shape of the pipes that will connect to the faucet. It is advisable to purchase parts specifically designed for RVs to avoid complications with your RV plumbing.
- Non-metal faucets —Another critical consideration is deciding whether to use a metallic faucet or one made of a lighter material. If you want to maintain better fuel efficiency and lower your RV maintenance costs, you might want to use lightweight parts on your RV.
A non-metallic faucet is an ideal option. Non-metallic faucets are usually less expensive than their metallic counterparts, which makes them an excellent choice if you are on a tight budget.
- Metallic faucets—If you are looking for more durable faucets and you do not mind weighing down your RV with heavy parts, consider metallic RV kitchen faucets. One advantage of metallic faucets is that there is a wider variety from which to choose. They are available in various metals including chrome, antique bronze, and nickel.
Once you find the faucet that suits your needs, you will need to install it by following the manufacturer’s instructions. The installation typically involves connecting the faucet to the plumbing and then sealing it.
Other procedures involved in the installation will depend on the type of faucet you choose. After you replace the faucet, run the water to ensure there are no leaks before using your RV.
How To Install Home Faucets in Your RV
Another common reason to use home faucets in your RV is replacing any plastic faucets that came with your RV that have sprung leaks with a proper set of metallic faucets. If you do not find the right faucet for your needs, you might want to consider using a regular home faucet with an adapter.
While RV faucets and home faucets look the same, you might end up with costly problems if you do not replace them correctly. Follow the steps below to connect a home faucet to an RV:
1. Shut off your RV’s water supply
The first step in replacing your camper’s faucet with a home faucet is to shut off your RV’s water main. You do not want to flood your RV and cause water damage.
2. Disconnect the old faucet’s connections
If you look below the sink, you will see the input hoses that supply cold and hot water to the faucet. Use two wrenches to unfasten the connectors, which will allow you to detach the tubes from the faucet. Consider placing a bucket below the sink to prevent any remaining water in the lines from spilling onto the floor.
3. Disconnect your worn faucet from your sink
Use a wrench to unscrew the nut beneath the faucet and pull the old faucet out. In addition to the nut, some faucets are also secured with silicone. If that is the case with your faucet, you may need to use extra force to remove the faucet from the sink.
4. Prepare the home faucet for installation
If silicone secured your old faucet, you need to scrape off any silicone residue left behind on your sink. You can use a scraper to do that. Once the faucet is clean, wrap some Teflon tape around the faucet connector’s threads to ensure your faucet is leak proof.
5. Install your home faucet
Connect the home faucet into the sink’s holes. The faucet should fit without difficulty since the holes are of standard size. Consider putting some silicone or plumber’s putty on the faucet before fastening the connector nut beneath the sink.
The silicone or plumber’s putty ensures that no water seeps below the sink. After securing the faucet with the attachment nut, attach the straight connections to the input tubing. Consider using some Teflon tape to ensure no water seeps from the joint.
Using two wrenches, connect the connectors to the cold and hot water input tubes. Then connect the cold and hot water hoses to their respective connections and tighten them to prevent future leaks.
6. Open your RV’s water main to assess the system for leaks
The last step is to turn on your RV’s water main and open the faucet. While the water is running, check below the faucet for any water leaks. If you notice any leaks, shut off your RV’s water main and tighten the connections.
Turn on the water main again and check for leaks. If the leaks persist, wrap more Teflon tape around your faucet connector’s threads before tightening the connections.
A new faucet can make a huge difference in the look and function of your RV. By following these simple steps, you can replace your old RV plastic faucets with more robust, efficient, and appealing home faucets.
Need More Information About RV Faucets vs. Home Faucets?
Are RV faucets the same as home faucets? Can I replace my old camper faucets with regular residential faucets? If you are looking for answers to these questions or any other information about RV faucets, check our blogs for comprehensive guides.
We aim to provide you with valuable information to help you make informed decisions about faucets and other related accessories. The information we offer includes:
- How to replace your RV faucets
- What to consider when replacing faucets
- How to remove a faucet without a basin wrench
If you are looking to replace your RV faucets, consider reading through our reviews so you can choose the right products for your needs.
