Do you have moisture?!?!

[Workshop]

In Feb 2008, I wrote in the first post of my Restoration 101:

My main concerns at the moment are the area above the entry door for moisture and the sofa/dinette slide that the dealer repaired. Then there is the compartment doors and with warmer weather, caulking and sealing.____

Well it's been almost two years and I decided to open up that area and see what it looked like. By now the first 6-8 inches of the vinyl covering, above the slide, was starting to 'get that loose look'.

When I initially bought the unit I didn't notice that the panel material between the main slide and the forward side of the entry door was different than the original panel....looked very close. It wasn't until we were doing a good initial cleaning that it was notice. First thought....must have been a problem around the entry door.

Several months had passed before the vinyl on the paneling above the slide, at the corner, started to raise. Pressing on the area, the subsurface seemed solid. I knew I didn't have a leak, or at least not current, because I had removed and re-caulked ALL horizontal trim, gutters and slide opening areas and inspected and patched the rest within weeks of getting the Beast home. So....it must have existed when I bought it and the damage is now showing up as the panel dries out.

I had no idea what I would find and now have to decide how to repair it. Thought it would be a simple panel replacement. That's why I modified the area behind the sofa and saved the paneling when the slide's wall was repaired due to water damage that existed in that area. But more than paneling will be needed...I think anyway?!?!

Purpose of this post.....to show the importance of keeping your unit caulked and sealed. I did my part in trying to maintain the Beast.....but being the third owner I live with what I inherit and its all been moisture related that has caused me problems. Believe the second owner discovered the damage, had part of it repaired...didn't look at the rest...and got rid of it. My thought anyway.

Not in much of a hurry to get it fixed...have to remove more paneling from the 'header' above the slide to see how much farther the damage exist. Hopefully I won't have to replace the enitre header above the slide...but it looks that way. Should be interesting.

Inside view of area above entry door and paneling above slide...looks good from here.





Vinyl starting to 'get loose' on panel.




Panel above entry door removed. Prior repair left damaged wood at lower corner. Panel between door and slide could be destroyed getting it off...glued in place. Was able to pry enough to notice they at least repaired/replaced the framing there.




Damage to 'header' after paneling removed. Who would have guessed!




First 4 feet. Will need to remove more panel to see the extent of the damage.




The outside view and areas/items to check. There is a lot of holes drilled in this area and plenty of areas for moisture to get behind if not caulked.





Workhorse,

[rockintom]

Another great post from workhorse. Thanks for the detail. An area of great concern on the oldtimers (pre 2005) was the molding that goes across the roof where the 2 roofs come together. They didn't have available the "eternabond tape" in those days. After a bit, the molding caulk would leak water inside at the front, middle and rear roof area, causing all kinds of damage. Using the eternabond on the newer models has just about eliminated that issue. Can you believe some manufacturers don't use it.

Not trying to discount the moisture issue. This winter we had rain and cold temps down here in South TX. The water just ran down the walls especially around the window frames. Our good friends "clspds" recommended cracking a window in each room and it did help some. Wiping around the windows sills will fill a bath towel real quick. Just my .02 cents!!! rockin' Good to hear from you buddy!!!

[Endeavor2BnC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Not trying to discount the moisture issue. This winter we had rain and cold temps down here in South TX. The water just ran down the walls especially around the window frames. Our good friends "clspds" recommended cracking a window in each room and it did help some. Wiping around the windows sills will fill a bath towel real quick. Just my .02 cents!!! rockin' Good to hear from you buddy!!!

Tom,
We reccently bought a dehumidifier and I can't believe how much water it's pulled out while we're in Corpus Christi. I'd say that over the last month here, we've emptied at least 1.5 gallons of water. I can't imagine what that much water would have done to the inside of the rig. It's and Eva-Dry and works great, so far.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC Tom, We reccently bought a dehumidifier and I can't believe how much water it's pulled out while we're in Corpus Christi. I'd say that over the last month here, we've emptied at least 1.5 gallons of water. I can't imagine what that much water would have done to the inside of the rig. It's and Eva-Dry and works great, so far.

Thanks Tim! Would you give us a little more detail on your Eva-Dry? Model #, place you bought it and what you had to give for it. Appreciate it and look forward to seeing my buddies real soon! rockin'

[Endeavor2BnC]

Tom,
Here you go. http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-Edv-22...4597997&sr=8-4

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC Tom, Here you go. Amazon.com: Eva-Dry Edv-2200 Mid-Size Dehumidifier: Electronics

Thanks again Tim! Do you just have just 1 of these? Where do you place them in your rig? rockin'

[Bruce and Jenna]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Thanks again Tim! Do you just have just 1 of these? Where do you place them in your rig? rockin'

Uh oh. Now we gotta change him to SirKnowAlmostAll.

See this recent discussion. Dehumidifiers

[Endeavor2BnC]

I only have one under the wine glass rack. I show you when we get there tomorrow if you like. It keeps the interior humidity at about 60%.

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC I only have one under the wine glass rack. I show you when we get there tomorrow if you like. It keeps the interior humidity at about 60%.

Thanks Tim....you know I have a similiar situation....only my wine keeps me about 60% of where I want to be!! OK back to humidity before our traffic cop blows a fuse!!!!

[motojavaphil]

Thanks Tim,

Even in New Mexico during the winter months we are buttoned up and get high humidity inside. The dehumidifier looks like just what we need. You are the Man! Thanks,
Moto

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockintom Thanks Tim....you know I have a similiar situation....only my wine keeps me about 60% of where I want to be!! OK back to humidity before our traffic cop blows a fuse!!!!

SKIAA...
Thanks for the de-humidifier info, Tim! Good Luck on the new project Workshop

[Squirrel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Endeavor2BnC Tom, Here you go. Amazon.com: Eva-Dry Edv-2200 Mid-Size Dehumidifier: Electronics

Tim, my transformer gets really hot. I mean about 140 degrees. Does yours get that hot? I have the same unit that you do. Any information would be appreciated.

The Squirrel

[ARRET]

Nobody has mentioned heat pump to keep humidity down. I've found that I can keep the humidity 50% or less by using it. Even in the SOB before this one without thermal pane windows I could keep it down.

[Workshop]

Who would have thought that by running my dehumidifier for longer periods I could have prevented the present problem.