2000 tradewinds roof leak

[Bill WA6YBD]

I post a message for bulldog to come here. I'm sure he will show up shortly. !Bill

[Vegasdan]

When you ran the Eterna Bond tape from front to rear did you overlap the rain gutter with the lower edge of the tape? I did mine that way, overlaping my raingutter so water cannot go behind the gutter. The other culpret could be your roof top fridge vent. Even though the caulking looks sound, I'd tear it out and redo it. It's totally possible for caulking to look sound but not do its job. It sounds like this has been going on for some time. Also, redo the silicone seal on the belt moulding if you haven't.

[hbrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasdan When you ran the Eterna Bond tape from front to rear did you overlap the rain gutter with the lower edge of the tape? I did mine that way, overlaping my raingutter so water cannot go behind the gutter. The other culpret could be your roof top fridge vent. Even though the caulking looks sound, I'd tear it out and redo it. It's totally possible for caulking to look sound but not do its job. It sounds like this has been going on for some time. Also, redo the silicone seal on the belt moulding if you haven't.

i did not overlap the rain gutter. i went down and covered the rubber strip that covers the screws that i guess hold the rain gutter on, but i wanted the gutter to still function. now it looked like the upper part of that rubber strip had caulk to seal it from the factory and that what i covered. NO way to get the lower side of that strip covered because its buried in the gutter.

i just pulled the cover on the refrig on roof and looked around the wood surrounding it and it is dusty dry. no water any where up there.

now uppon closer look the leak is definatly long term, and wood on wall in closet and behind fridge is rotted. ceiling in closet and kitchen cabinets bone dry, so i would assume water not traviling in roof from a ac or satalite or antenna

i have noticed above this leak area the fiberglass that wraps over edge of roof to gutter has light spider webbing cracks about 2 ft long. barely noticble but can water weep thru this??? i would feel it may weep but i have a lot of water from a light no wind rain???

the cracks can barely be felt with a fingernail and i would assume is just cosmetic, not structural.

i wonder what would happen if i do run eternabond over the gutter and do away with water going in gutter.??? dont want to, but i am suspecting somehow water is filling gutter and rising high enough to wick into the rubber strip covering the screws for gutter which is why water is getting in wall AND dripping out of the caulked area UNDER the gutter and wall.

i would think that water should never come from there, if it does water is getting behind gutter strip somehow.

i have some pics, just got to learn how to post.

thanks again

[hippy]

Well h brown, i am getting frustated too, my tpo roof is extended down the side of trailer under gutters. the tpo is trimmed after gutter installation. i slid a piece of clear plastic between gutter and siding, under tpo. BAD NEWS is that the water is coming from between trailer siding, and tpo. i have no leaks as yet, but im sure will soon. i have checked and touched up all caulking, roof seams, awning bolts, etc. dont know how the water can get under there, but obviously going to be a problem. HELP!!! dont want to build shelter to park under, or shrink wrap, but am getting close. dealer is a long haul, and useless. 4hr return trip, plus hundred in fuel. not sure how to post pics?? anyone know?? they are on computer.

[hbrown]

ok testing for roof leak pics.
picture 1 and 2 show dirt trail were leak is coming from backside of gutter and wall, right above ex fan outlet from kitchen.

pic 2 and 3 show how i put eternabond on seam.

pic 5 and 6 oops. dont knew how to get off.

hopefully pics will clear up my verbage about were leak is.

thanks again

howard

[Vegasdan]

Ok, you applied the Eterna bond just like I did by overlapping the "top" part of the gutter. Did you check the caulking on the belt line moulding? I would go up and Eternabond the spider webb cracked area on the roof, it couldn't hurt.

[hbrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegasdan Ok, you applied the Eterna bond just like I did by overlapping the "top" part of the gutter. Did you check the caulking on the belt line moulding? I would go up and Eternabond the spider webb cracked area on the roof, it couldn't hurt.

did not thank to tape the spider web cracks. can i tape with it being damp outside?? it rained all night long and suppose to have a clearing in a few hours, but then it rain again and dropping into the 30s.

not sure what the belt molding is?

i thought that was that c shape rubber that pressed over that u shaped channel that hold a seam together that holds the front and rear cap on the coach and held the fiberglass cap to the gutter on both sides the rv from front to rear.

if so then yes i have taped all on roof, and recaulked the verticle ones on the side walls ft and rear.

if you look at pic one u can see the black streak that were the water trail is. that pic is looking up under the awning roll. so i am betting that same water trail is wicking over into the wall, seeping down and exiting were the wall meets floor.

again thanks for taking the time for ideas.

i am scared to go out and look this morning but guess i need to get wet vac and go face the issues

[Vegasdan]

The belt moulding runs front to back on both sides just above your bay doors. It has silicone sealant and covers the joint between your Filon side panel and the lower fiberglass. I see the black streaks under the awning that are coming down the side wall, you might want to extend your awning and check out the top and bottom side where the awning attaches to the MH. Very possible that a missing screw or improper sealing could cause that much of a water leak at that area as the awning cover could hold water back as it rolls over the gutter in a hard rain, then even a small hole would admit quite a bit of water. Also if you catch a break between rains, go up and dry the spider webb area with a towel and apply the Eterna bond.

[vc390]

I chased a leak at the front door on my 7371 and here is what I learned.
The awing bolts and mounts need to removed, cleaned and resealed.
The front cap seal to the main body (and probally the rear) will leak where the gutter drains at the end. There is a square tube frame member that the top, awing, gutter and side walls mount to. It could track water some distance. The gutter has a lot of screws that could leak.
Good luck.
Vern

[Thewellz]

HI there, I have noticed a small leak on the floor in front of the passenger seat right below the window next to the front door, I resealed the window and still have water on the carpet. I took my unit in for a pressure test($200) they found 5 places where there were bubbles. Of course the window near the leak was fine! however the lower awning mount was leaking, as well as the door latch plate and all 4 corners near the drip spouts. These leaks were minor in nature however all occured near factory seals on the corner edges, the tech told me the butyl around the windows was still fine.I have since redone all the roof seams down the gutters and corners next is the awning mounts! I have those small hairline cracks in my fiberglass roof as well they are not an issue, just normal wear.Hope this helps........ I recommend the pressure test it was helpfull.

[donhoward49]

HBrown. what is the progress on the leak? I have a small leak and all the info has given me several place to check. Just wondering what you found. or did you give up and sell it?

[hbrown]

Quote:

Originally Posted by donhoward49 HBrown. what is the progress on the leak? I have a small leak and all the info has given me several place to check. Just wondering what you found. or did you give up and sell it?

well, really embarrassed.

after many many hours i found them. 2 leaks. just where i was suggested to look early on in this post, but i was stubborn and did a quick pass over.

AWNING BRACKETS ON TOP RAIL GUTTER!!!

after carefull looking i found that this awning had been pulled off and the original holes cleverly covered and bracket moved over 1/2 inch.

after carefull fully cleaning all the goop out, i filled the old holes with caulk then threaded a stainless screw in then caulked over that with more caulk.

replaced braket bolts with new stainless and prepped same way.

woohoo no leaks.

my only drawback was i lost some of the gutter efficiency with putting double the screws and caulk in,but could not come up with a better solution to fill the striped holes.

i will keep thinking of how to do a better permanent repair but for now its dry.

mad the previous owner rigged it and just let it rot in a hidden area.

maybe someone here will have a brain storm to fill the torn holes in the gutter right next to the new holes so i can regain some of the gutter.


thanks for all the suggestions

howard

[millers-cave]

Morning H Brown,
I really didn't want to comment right away after your reply as to the fix for your roof leak. I am sure your wife reminds you daily as to who is right. I'm the one who suggested the awning brackets. HOWEVER I do admire someone that admits his mistakes, that is how we all learn.

Thanks to you I got to wear my "I'M RIGHT" T Shirt for a day.

Now if you want another shocker check the bottom of your fiberglass battery box. Let us know how you make out there!

Harry from Vancouver Island B.C. Canada.

[trpwire]

Seal arount clearance lights, tail lights and camera window.

You Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure can use a this bodied sealer similiar to this to get down in the cracks.