Black Spots On Ceiling...

[WeBeGone2]

Over the course of two years I keep finding little black spots ( lots of them) on the cushioned ceiling. I have a 2004 40ft PDQ Endeavor. This is happening over the Kitchen / curb side slide. It is heavy over the stove area. I do not use the convec oven and seldom the micro. They mostly come off with spray cleaner. The scope of this problem is 3 feet to the left and 3 feet to the right of the stove. They almost look like stains from mold. Could this be road grime coming in over the top of the slide??? I do not FRY on the stove. No grease type cooking. So I do not think it is from inside. Thoughts?

[wa8yxm]

Black spots like that are usually mold.. Bleach water is the killer of mold.. I've used up to straight bleach however be very very very careful using bleach products as they can damage/discolor so test first.

NOTE: I had a trailer that had some window leaks, after a year in storage it was black where it should have been white,,,, IT was, however, colorfast so I used bleach straight up on it.

After that it was white, very white

Ventelation..... Very important when using bleach, fumes can kill

[Florida Panhandler]

Have to agree with wa8yxm - black spots indicate mold. Just removing the black spots doesn't solve the problem. Doubt seriously that it is from road stuff. We have the 2005 Endeavor PDR which means our kitchen slideouts are pretty much the same. We use our stove top burners and do quite a few stews and pasta - which means moisture. We haven't seen any mold spots on the ceiling.

Sometimes mold migrates thru materials, such as the vinyl ceiling from a constant wet source above. Found this out when I installed a sat dish. Your coach is old enough to seriously look at the outside caulking along any and all roof seams. Mine is a 2005 and I had to replace all of the roof edge caulking - including reattaching the roof to the side wall above the driver's window. That is when I found out that the caulk above the slideout awning had deteriorated to the point of permitting leakage.

Finding the source is the first priority and that involves working from the outside in. The outside caulk along the roof edge or awning top may look just wonderful until you really look closely. As the caulk ages, it also releases from the paint which permits infiltration of water. Check by getting up close and using your finger to roll over the caulk edge. if it rolls, then it need to be replaced. Better safe than sorry at this point.

[Lukeaa]

We have a 2007 Diplomat and get the same little black spots. It appears to be water/mud splatters from bringing in a wet slide. I do not think it is mold.

Luke

[MonacoMama]

I am going to agree with Lukeaa...I was living in the rig in Oregon for over a year. The slides rarely came in ...and I promise you... if these spots are from mold - they would have shown up there. My nose also happens to be ultra-sensitive to smells.
I actually happened to see the same spots earlier today for the first time. They do appear to be of a "splash-back" nature.
I promise you that I will report back if my nose determines it to be of a mold family...

[nutensteve]

Black spots here too. I also think it is from dirt on the rubber seal as the slide is retracted.

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nutensteve Black spots here too. I also think it is from dirt on the rubber seal as the slide is retracted.

I too will have to agree with this theory. We had the same on our ceilings.

On the matter of bleach I would personally not use this on my ceiling. There are other more suitable cleaning methods in my view. Bleach is powerful stuff that will take "the blue" out of your blue jeans. Go with something more gentle on these relative delicate surfaces would be my recommendation.

[gg]

Confirmed black spots on Ceiling near slide.

Rained heavy this AM in Fort Myers. Noticed the Carefree slide cover sagging in the middle (roof to road side) on road side slide. curbside bedroom ok no droop.

I had DW move the Driver seat forward, and close the cabinet doors on the TV built in, then retract the slide 6 inch. Whoosh the water came flooding down. proceeded another 6 inch. more water, 6 inch, more water. waited 5 min and extended the side. cloth streached tight.

Then DW - exclaimed black specks /water droplets on the white softouch ceiling. Used towel and wiped all off.

Down to Lowes - 1/2 inch plywood and 3 tab singles - install a real roof on the Slides


I did see a Monaco owner who did install 3/4 in pvc props under his slide tents. Worked well if you like to get up on the ladder.

I will really really consider some type of inflatabe beach toy to place under the cloth to creat a tent pole effect.

Anythoughts?

gg

[JDooley]

Wipe it down with straight lemon juice if you think it is mold and let it dry on the ceiling and mold shouldnt come back. If mold you need to find and stop the moisture source. Lemon juice will kill the mold and not hurt (bleach the fabric / leather / vinyl

[WeBeGone2]

I think I have found where the leak is coming from. I park in my driveway and have a 2 story house. From upstairs I can see the top of the M/H. The large slide over the curb side kitchen has a 2 foot gap in it where it attached to the roof line. SO any rain that sits on the topper slide will run down onto the top of the slide, then some seeping into the interior. Carefree of Colorado has been helpful in finding a close dealer. Need to replace ALL four. We will see if this fixes the propblem.

[JDooley]

The roof to wall connection needs to be checked before the awnings are replaced The connection is under the awning and will be impossible to seal after the awning is reinstalled. When I knew I was replacing mine and the new ones were at the shop ready for install I cut mine loose to access the joint, resealed and let it dry before going to have the new awnings installed, I also had see through material used on the awnings except for the topper and main awning so that I could see more at the windows.