ROOF LEAKING !!!!

[Pete Masterson]

The key idea of this machine is to seal up the coach except for one vent, window, or door, where you introduce a device that will increase the pressure inside to exceed the outside pressure. A relatively few PSI is all that's necessary.

There's no reason that you can't do it yourself with some duct tape, cardboard, and a pressurizing fan like those used to fill and maintain inflatable figures (like dinosaurs or giant teddy bears -- or children's play structures) that you can rent from a variety of sources. (Even Lockhart Texas had a store offering various kid's "party structures" using these fans.)

Once you've got the interior pressurized -- then soapy water will reveal the leaks.

If the coach fails to 'pressure up' sufficiently, you may need to block the AC vents with duct tape and cardboard -- and even tape up the small AC vents if you have a ducted system. Use some paper or cardboard to minimize the area in contact with the duct tape as it tends to transfer the 'sticky stuff' to surfaces it contacts.

I considered this approach, but ultimately I found the sources of a couple of stubborn leaks through more conventional means.

Note that silicone is not usually the most effective sealant for use on a vehicle. Usually butyl-based caulk is a better choice. There is a 'self leveling' caulk (used extensively on my coach roof by a previous owner) that's available from Camping World that appears to be quite durable. I also used some (rather expensive) tape stuff that proved very effective in re-sealing around my Fantastic Fan vent.

I note that some "leaking" can actually be caused by AC condensation that does not flow through the drain tubes as intended.

One common repair was to take up the aluminum walkway plates on the roof, and replace the screws with stainless steel screws using butyl caulk to seal each screw as it is installed. On my coach, a P.O. did this and put the screws through strips of semi-solid butyl. It appeared to be effective (apparently no leaks from the screws) but the black strips of butyl looks a little odd (though they were mostly under the metal plating, so were only visible at the ends).

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Nov 10, 2009, at 7:43 AM, bumpersbird wrote:

I had a little water leak before rats and again during rats. I got home and silicone anything on the left rear I could get to. Well thanks to the Tropical storm coming up from the gulf, she was leaking real good, or bad! This morning.

I parked her back in the barn, Damn! looks like the concrete floor I was going to pour will have to wait. We just got the barn mostly cleared out for the contractor last weekend.

Back to the leak it is obvious that I didn't getter done. Anybody have any experience with this machine.

http://www.rverscorner.com/info/raintest/raintest.html

Madison RV in Madison Alabama is the closest dealer that has one of these pressurizing systems. I would like to have it tested , I'm not sure if I want then to fix it I would just like to find the leak/leaks.

This will most likely accelerate the roof redo project. I have wanting to take off all the rails and cat walks and reseal and riv nut the rusted out mounting points.

I'll need to know what all I'll need to refurbish the roof.
I would like any advise, hints, tips that you guys have on the subject. I remember some threads on roof redoes and riv nuts here and on the WOG site so if you guys could refresh my fading memory I would appreciate it.

Drip DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP DRIP