After purchasing an RV, one of the first things many owners update is their RV faucets. It’s an easy, cheap RV upgrade that makes your space feel more like home. If you’re considering switching out one of your RV faucets, you may be asking, “Does an RV use a household faucet?” You may also wonder how to choose and install the right RV faucet replacement. Today, we’ll answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!
Are There Different RV Faucets?
While the first RV faucet you think about may be in your kitchen, don’t forget about the bathroom faucets as well. Many new RVs have a high-rise kitchen faucet to make cleaning up after meals easier. However, older campers tend to have outdated, inefficient RV faucets you’ll want to replace. And if you have a camper with an outdoor kitchen, don’t forget the RV sink faucet outside.
Most RVs only have one bathroom. But you will find RVs with two bathrooms, and there are plenty of larger fifth wheels and toy haulers with bath-and-a-half floor plans. Most bathrooms will have a shower faucet and sink faucet, even smaller camper vans with wet baths.
If you want a more residential RV shower experience, you’ll need to replace the standard RV shower faucet in the bathroom with an upgraded showerhead. Most RV bathroom sinks have cheap, boring faucets that you can upgrade for a quick RV bathroom renovation.
Does an RV Use a Household Faucet?
Practically any faucet will work in an RV. You can look for RV-specific models, but you can also shop the household aisle. As long as the fittings are secure, a household faucet will likely be a better option because many RV faucets are plastic, thus leading to leaks over time. A household faucet also makes your home on wheels feel more modern and efficiently manages water consumption.
Is It Easy to Install an RV Faucet Replacement?
In most cases, an RV faucet installation won’t require the skills or tools of an RV technician and can be a quick DIY project. You’ll need to shut off the water supply and drain the lines, disconnect the water lines from the faucet, and remove the old RV kitchen, shower, or sink faucet. Then, you’ll simply retrace those steps to install the new RV faucet. Run the water for a couple of minutes after the installation to ensure that there are no leaks.
Technician Tip: Resealing around the base of your new RV faucet is critical to a proper RV faucet replacement. Otherwise, any water that seeps between the base and the countertop can permeate the substructure below and lead to a more extensive countertop repair.
Choosing an RV Kitchen Faucet Replacement
When choosing an RV kitchen faucet replacement, you’ll likely want a faucet design that’s easy to clean and lightweight while still remaining functional. Find one whose neck height suits your sink type and dishwashing needs.
Here are a few RV kitchen faucet types and features:
- Classic (aka J-spout)
- High-Rise
- Pull-Down Sprayer
- Pull-Out Sprayer
- Glass Rinser
- Two-Handle vs One-Handle
Choose one that suits your decor preference and functional needs. If you just want an updated look but nothing fancy, stick with a classic RV kitchen faucet. If you cook often or have a large family to feed, replacing a standard RV kitchen faucet with a residential high-rise faucet with a pull-down sprayer may better suit your needs.
Choosing an RV Shower Faucet Replacement
Choosing an RV shower faucet replacement can take your camp showers from tolerable to downright luxurious. Standard RV showerheads can leave a lot to be desired. But what exactly do you want to achieve when changing your RV shower faucet?
Consider these RV shower faucet types and features:
- Handheld Showerhead
- Multi-Spray Shower Panel System
- Shower Slide Bar
Keep your RV’s water heating system in mind when replacing the shower faucet in an RV. You may love to linger under a multi-spray RV showerhead, but can your water heater handle extended showers? For RVers with tankless water heaters, this is a possibility. For those with standard DSI water heaters, you may only get about 5-10 minutes of hot water. Ready to upgrade your RV water heater, too? Check out our guide to choosing an RV water heater replacement.
Choosing an RV Bathroom Faucet Replacement
Finally, don’t forget to update the RV bathroom faucet. If you have a spacious counter or a large sink, you’ll have more options than someone with a tiny plastic bowl. But things to consider include the shape of the faucet and the number and placement of the handles.
RV bathroom faucet types and features include:
- Waterfall
- Arc Spout
- Vessel Spout
- Extended Roman Spout
- Small J-Spout
- Two-Handle vs One-Handle
And while you’re upgrading your RV bathroom faucet, why not go ahead and update the sink, too? Create the ensuite or spa-like RV bathroom you’ve always wanted, and explore these RV bathroom renovation ideas for inspiration.
Where To Find RV Faucet Replacement Parts
Visit a Camping World retail location to meet with our retail specialists and/or service staff, who can assist you with finding replacement parts or choosing the perfect RV faucet replacement. Whether you just want to update the handles, the showerhead, or the entire kitchen sink, our friendly staff is ready and willing to assist!
Does an RV use a household faucet? The good news is yes and no. It’s up to you! Visit a Camping World retail location to discover your next RV upgrade.
Learn more about other simple renovation ideas and tips in these articles:
Have you replaced an RV faucet in your kitchen or bathroom? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!