Leaking Windows

[sdcyclist]

I was out at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park for the weekend. It started snowing Friday night and continued all day Saturday. After cleaning the ice and snow of the slide toppers, I noticed there was about 2 inches of snow on the roof. I was not going to get up there ans sweep it off.

We pulled out Sunday and headed down 8W for San Diego with the roof top snow melting on the way. Lots and lots of water was pouring down the sides and snow was blowing off the roof onto the freeway.

When I got to the house to unpack the coach, we noticed that several of the navigator side windows had wet spots at the inside corners and there were puddles of water on the floor. The coach is a 2006 36 FDDS and I am wondering how long WRV's window seals are supposed to last.

Any feedback or experience with this issue?

sdcyclist
2006 36 FDDS

[Jim A]

It probably isn't so much a question of how long the seal lasts, but how well the window was installed in the first place. I had one passenger side window that would sometimes leak, depending on which way the wind/rain blew. But only one window. I cleaned out the old caulking on the top of the window and put a small bead of clear silicone RTV along the edge. (Not much of a lip to seal.) It hasn't leaked since. If that didn't work, I planned to remove the window and reinstall it with new sealant. So far it does not seem necessary.

Also, check to make sure the weep holes at the bottom of the window are clear. Hopefully it would be that simple.

As a temporary repair, Kool-Seal Kool Patch White Patching Tape works well, even with wet surfaces in the rain. It also might help determine where the leak is located. I carry a couple of boxes with me for emergencies. I used it once and it saved me.

Good luck!

[Algoma]

We camped for 2 weeks in Maryland last January and had both snow and ice accumulate on the roof. After this all melted on our way to Florida we had zero water coming in through the window seals. Now like everyone else we have some fogging of the dual pane windows but at least WRV sealed the frames correctly, at least on a coach built in '98.

[EngineerMike]

SD- take a good dry cloth, wipe with gusto around all the window frames where they meet the siding, and apply a thin bead of silicone sealer in your favorite brand. Just a teeny bit, and I wipe it down to almost nothing w/a finger.

This precaution will seal against any imperfections in the clay-like ("butyl" IIRC) tape under the outside window frame that is the actual seal against the coach exterior wall. Likely because of time or the onslaught of heavy runoff, you are finding that the initial installation of windows left something to be desired. My 08 window frame seals came pre-plumbed with leaks from the factory, no waiting. Had to do the sealer trick right off the bat.

[Tom and Patty]

There is a trick to get that light seal EM talks about. Use blue painters tape to outline the bead around the window. When you pull it off you will have a clean thin line of caulk.

I saw a professional do it to our coach. I'm not that good