Water Manifold
A water manifold is an optional plumbing component that acts as a central hub for distributing water to various fixtures in your RV. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and how they benefit RVs:
Function:
Imagine a central water source with multiple outlets – that’s essentially what a water manifold does. It connects to your RV’s main water supply line and then provides individual connections for branch lines that run to specific fixtures, like your sink, shower, toilet, and washing machine (if applicable).
Benefits:
- Water Control: A key benefit is the ability to control water flow to individual fixtures. Each outlet on the manifold typically has a shut-off valve, allowing you to isolate the water supply to a specific fixture for repairs or maintenance without shutting off the entire water system in your RV.
- Reduced Leaks: By minimizing the number of connections throughout the plumbing system, manifolds can help reduce the potential for leaks. This is because there are fewer connection points compared to traditional plumbing where pipes are directly connected from the main line to each fixture.
- Easier Winterization: When winterizing your RV (prepping it for freezing temperatures), shutting off the water supply and purging the lines is essential. Manifolds with shut-off valves can simplify this process by allowing you to isolate and drain individual water lines.
- Zoneability: Water manifolds are designed for zoneability. This means you can group certain fixtures together on the manifold (ex: all the plumbing in the bathroom). This allows you to shut off water to a specific zone, like the bathroom, while still having water access in other areas of the RV.