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If there is a way to get in your RV, water will find it. Water leaks on an RV may cause broad harm and may be exceedingly costly to repair. When I worked at an RV dealership I saw the damaging effects that water may cause to an RV time and time again. I learned the lesson the hard way. I appraised a unit that was being swapped in and didn’t distinguish the extensive water damage, which resulted in a thousand dollars worth of repairs. Hindsight is 20/20 and I quickly learned how to inspect for, and discern potential water harm on RVs. My recommendation is that you inspect for potential water leaks twice a year at a minimum, once in the fall and again in the spring. Every seam on your RV and anyplace the manufacturer cut a hole in your RV has the potential to grant water in. To protect your investment and your wallet take the time to REALLY inspect all of these seams and sealants. Water harm on an RV is similar to progressive harm to a tire. The outside of the tire looks fine, but the internal harm over a long amount of time of time causes the tire to fail without any warning. The outside of your RV looks fine but the internal harm caused by water over a long amount of time of time may result in the entire roof, floor or wall rotting away without you knowing it. Here are a few things to look for for the duration of your inspections. Always keep safety on your mind when you are working on the roof of your RV You may be severely injured from a fall! A reader of mine suggested that you use 2 pieces of 1/2″ * To stop a leak before it starts, exhaustively inspect all roof and body seams. Consult with your RV dealer for sealants compatible with dissimilar types of roofing materials. * Look for any discoloration and feel for any soft spots on the ceiling around roof vents, air conditioners, TV antennas, plumbing vents, and any other openings that were cut in the roof. * Look for any discoloration or wrinkles in the wallpaper, and feel for any soft spots on the walls around all windows, doors, vents, slide outs, or any other openings that were cut in the side walls. * Identify the emplacement of items like the water heater, furnace, outside shower, potable water fill and city water inlet on the outside of the RV and then access those areas from the inside of the RV and look for any indications of water harm around these openings. * Open all overhead cabinets and look in the top corner where the walls meet the ceiling for any discoloration or feel for any soft spots. This would indicate a leak at the seam where the sidewall and the roof attach. * Check in all outside storage compartments for any indications of water leaks or water damage. * Check for any soft spots on the roof itself peculiarly around the roof seams at the front and rear of the RV. Thoroughly inspect all sealants on the roof around each opening. * Some Class C motor homes are notorious for leaks in the cab over bed area. Look for any signs of discoloration and feel for soft spots. Reach under the mattress and feel for water. * Look and feel on the outside of the RV for any signs of delaminating. Delaminating is caused by water getting amongst the exterior fiberglass and the sidewall. When this happens the exterior fiberglass separates from the sidewall of the RV. You may stand at the front or rear of the RV and look down the side for any noticeable ripples or what looks like a bubble. You may also press on the sidewalls. If you feel the exterior fiberglass move it is delaminating. Often times delaminating starts around where an opening that was made in the sidewall. Don’t just inspect your RV for water damage; REALLY inspect your RV for water damage. If you do this on a regular basis you may locate and repair the source of any water harm before it has a prospect to do a great deal of damage. I think I’ll get started checking our motor home more than twice a year. Happy Camping, Mark Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk proprietor of RV Education 101 |
Leaks Under Your Vehicle
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