If there’s a option to get in your RV, water will discover it. Water leaks on an RV may cause in depth harm and might be extraordinarily expensive to restore. After I labored at an RV dealership I noticed the damaging results that water may cause to an RV time and time once more. I realized the lesson the arduous approach. I appraised a unit that was being traded in and did not establish the in depth water harm, which resulted in a thousand {dollars} price of repairs. Hindsight is 20/20 and I shortly realized easy methods to examine for, and establish potential water harm on RVs. My advice is that you simply examine for potential water leaks twice a yr at a minimal, as soon as within the fall and once more within the spring.
Each seam in your RV and anyplace the producer lower a gap in your RV has the potential to permit water in. To guard your funding and your pockets take the time to REALLY examine all of those seams and sealants. Water harm on an RV is much like progressive harm to a tire. The surface of the tire seems high quality, however the inner harm over an extended time period causes the tire to fail with none warning. The surface of your RV seems high quality however the inner harm attributable to water over an extended time period may end up in your entire roof, ground or wall rotting away with out you understanding it. Right here are some things to search for throughout your inspections.
All the time maintain security in your thoughts when you find yourself engaged on the roof of your RV You might be critically injured from a fall! A reader of mine advised that you simply use 2 items of 1/2″
plywood, 2 foot by 4 foot, to maneuver round on and unfold your weight out over the
roof rafters.
* To cease a leak earlier than it begins, completely examine all roof and physique seams. Seek the advice of together with your RV supplier for sealants suitable with several types of roofing supplies.
* Search for any discoloration and really feel for any gentle spots on the ceiling round roof vents, air conditioners, TV antennas, plumbing vents, and another openings that have been lower within the roof.
* Search for any discoloration or wrinkles within the wallpaper, and really feel for any gentle spots on the partitions round all home windows, doorways, vents, slide outs, or another openings that have been lower within the aspect partitions.
* Establish the placement of things just like the water heater, furnace, outdoors bathe, potable water fill and metropolis water inlet on the surface of the RV after which entry these areas from the within of the RV and search for any indications of water harm round these openings.
* Open all overhead cupboards and look within the high nook the place the partitions meet the ceiling for any discoloration or really feel for any gentle spots. This may point out a leak on the seam the place the sidewall and the roof connect.
* Test in all outdoors storage compartments for any indications of water leaks or water harm.
* Test for any gentle spots on the roof itself particularly across the roof seams on the entrance and rear of the RV. Completely examine all sealants on the roof round each opening.
* Some Class C motor properties are infamous for leaks within the cab over mattress space. Search for any indicators of discoloration and really feel for gentle spots. Attain beneath the mattress and really feel for water.
* Feel and look on the surface of the RV for any indicators of delaminating. Delaminating is attributable to water getting between the outside fiberglass and the sidewall. When this occurs the outside fiberglass separates from the sidewall of the RV. You’ll be able to stand on the entrance or rear of the RV and look down the aspect for any noticeable ripples or what seems like a bubble. You can even press on the sidewalls. When you really feel the outside fiberglass transfer it’s delaminating. Usually instances delaminating begins round the place a gap that was made within the sidewall.
Do not simply examine your RV for water harm; REALLY examine your RV for water harm. When you do that regularly you may find and restore the supply of any water harm earlier than it has an opportunity to do an excessive amount of harm. I believe I am going to begin checking our motor house greater than twice a yr.
Completely satisfied Tenting,
Mark
Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk proprietor of RV Training 101
