How often should I service my motorhome?

Most motorhomes require an annual habitation check and a chassis/engine service every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. The habitation check covers gas, electrical, water, and damp systems and should be carried out by an NCC Approved Workshop.

What is a habitation check on a motorhome?

A habitation check is an annual inspection of all the living systems in a motorhome or caravan, including gas appliances, 12V and 230V electrical systems, water pump, heating, and a damp survey. It is recommended by the NCC and most manufacturers.

How do I find a Gas Safe engineer for my motorhome?

Use the Find a Repairer tool on MotorhomeHelp to search for Gas Safe registered engineers near your postcode. All gas work on motorhomes, caravans, and campervans must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

How do I check for damp in a motorhome?

Damp in a motorhome is checked using a damp meter (also called a moisture meter). Key areas to test include the roof corners, window frames, floor edges, and rear panel. Readings above 15% on a damp meter indicate moisture ingress that needs investigation.

How do I winterise my motorhome?

Winterising a motorhome involves draining the fresh water tank, water heater, and all pipes, blowing out the system with compressed air or using food-safe antifreeze, disconnecting the leisure battery or connecting a trickle charger, and covering the vehicle. Full step-by-step instructions are available in the Winterisation guides.

EasySafety Note

Whale Hot Water Not Working: Step-by-Step Diagnosis

A systematic fault-finding guide for when your Whale Expanse or Whale heating system is not producing hot water — covering no ignition, ignition but no heat, low temperature, and intermittent faults.

15–45 minutesEasy

What This Is

This guide is a focused diagnostic walkthrough for the most common Whale hot water failure scenarios. It is designed to be used when you are on-site with a problem, working through a logical sequence of checks to identify the root cause quickly. The Whale Expanse is an instantaneous gas water heater — it has no stored hot water, so any failure means cold water immediately. The Whale wet heating system also provides hot water through a coil in the boiler, so a heating system fault can affect hot water supply too. Work through the checks in order — the most common and easiest-to-fix causes are listed first.

Tools & Parts Required

Torch or head torch
Small flat-blade screwdriver
Multimeter
Gas leak detection spray or soapy water
Fine wire brush

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
FIRST CHECK — GAS SUPPLY: Is the gas bottle open? Is the regulator correctly fitted and not expired? Try the hob burners — if they light normally, gas supply is confirmed. If the hob does not work either, the problem is with the gas supply, not the water heater.
2
SECOND CHECK — WATER PRESSURE: Is the water pump switched on? Is there water in the fresh water tank? Open a cold tap — does water flow at normal pressure? The Whale Expanse requires a minimum flow rate (typically 1.5–2 litres per minute) to trigger the flow sensor and initiate ignition. Low water pressure = no ignition.
3
THIRD CHECK — POWER SUPPLY: Is the 12V system on? The Expanse requires 12V for the igniter, gas valve, and flow sensor. Check the fuse for the water heater circuit in the 12V distribution board — typically labelled 'Water Heater' or 'Boiler'. Replace if blown.
4
FOURTH CHECK — IGNITION ATTEMPT: Turn on the hot tap fully. Listen for the igniter clicking (a rapid ticking sound). If you hear clicking but no ignition, the gas is not reaching the burner or the burner is blocked. If there is no clicking at all, the flow sensor, control board, or 12V supply is faulty.
5
IF CLICKING BUT NO IGNITION: Turn off the gas and remove the front cover of the Expanse. Inspect the burner for blockages — spider webs and insect nests are the most common cause, especially after winter storage. Clean the burner ports with a fine wire brush. Check the igniter electrode gap (should be 3–4mm) and clean any carbon from the tip. Refit the cover, restore gas, and test.
6
IF IGNITION OCCURS BUT SHUTS DOWN IMMEDIATELY: The flame sensor (thermocouple) is not detecting the flame. This is usually caused by a carbon-coated sensor tip. Remove the front cover and clean the thermocouple tip with fine wire wool or emery cloth. Also check that the thermocouple tip is correctly positioned in the flame path — it should be in the outer edge of the flame.
7
IF WATER IS WARM BUT NOT HOT: The most likely cause is scale build-up in the heat exchanger, reducing heat transfer efficiency. This is particularly common in hard water areas (Yorkshire, East Anglia, South East England). Descaling the heat exchanger (see the full Whale Expanse guide) will restore full performance. Also check that the gas pressure is correct — low gas pressure causes a weak flame and poor heating.
8
IF HOT WATER IS INTERMITTENT: Intermittent faults are usually caused by a partially blocked inlet filter causing variable flow, or a marginal flow sensor that only triggers at higher flow rates. Clean the inlet filter first. If the fault persists, the flow sensor may need replacing.
9
IF THE UNIT WORKED YESTERDAY BUT NOT TODAY: Check whether the unit has tripped its overheat thermostat — this is a safety device that cuts the unit off if it overheats. Some models have a manual reset button (a small red or white button, usually accessible through a hole in the cover). Press to reset. If the unit trips repeatedly, there is an underlying fault — blocked flue, restricted airflow, or a faulty thermostat.
10
AFTER ANY REPAIR: Always test all gas connections with leak detection spray before operating the unit. Run the unit through a full hot water cycle and confirm stable ignition, consistent hot water output, and correct shutdown when the tap is closed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming the heater is faulty before checking gas supply and water pressure — these are the two most common causes and the easiest to fix.
Not checking the fuse — a blown fuse is a 2-minute fix that is often overlooked.
Cleaning the burner with compressed air — this pushes debris into the gas ports and can damage the electrode.
Not resetting the overheat thermostat — the unit will not operate at all if the overheat thermostat has tripped.
Ignoring intermittent faults — they always get worse. Diagnose and fix while the fault is minor.

Safety Warnings

Always turn off the gas supply before opening the heater unit.
Never operate the unit with the flue blocked — carbon monoxide risk.
If you smell gas at any point, turn off the gas supply immediately and ventilate the vehicle before continuing.
Do not attempt to repair the gas valve or gas injector — this work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

When to Call a Professional

If you have worked through all the checks above and the unit still does not produce hot water, the gas valve, control board, or heat exchanger is likely faulty. These components require a Gas Safe registered engineer to diagnose and replace. Do not attempt to bypass safety devices.