Community Forums

kwheat · 01-09-2011, 10:42 PM

hello, I have a 1992 9-1/2' S&S with a persistant water leak in the overhead bunk area. I first noticed the problem last winter and after examining the inside of the wrap-around plastic window, i noticed water dripping in at the right corner. It had totally flooded the insullation and rotted the 2x2 wooden frame. So, i completely removed the molding around the entire front window and replaced the putty and reassembled with new wood and insullation. I thought all was well until about a month ago--I noticed more moisture at the right front corner of the mattress. I again removed the mattress and plywood under mattress and discovered all the insullation was again soaked! Somehow, a good amount of water is leaking down the front of the camper and into the inside, collecting under the mattress. The inside panel (at very front of overhead bunk) is now rotted where it meets the 1st side-to-side wood frame--this is very frustrating to say the least.
Could leaking roof lights allow that much water inside? I looked at it again today after a slight rainfall and noticed water collecting under the wooden frame, (on top of sheet metal, between wood of frame for mattress plywood) and appears to be coming in from the center of the camper.

Does anyone have similar experience with this S&S issue?

Does anyone have a suggestion for a quality tarp, I am thinking of just covering this thing with a tarp and forgetting about it...

thanks for any help, Kevin

yorgor · 01-09-2011, 11:01 PM

Not an uncommon problem. The sealant ages and needs to be replaced every few years. Of course that is not usually in your owners manual. When you are going down the road in rain there is a lot of air pressure to force water in where it should not be. I wouldn't do the tarp thing, except as a temporary measure, just keep at it until you get things sealed right, especially the lights.

kwheat · 01-10-2011, 08:15 AM

thanks Joe

yorgor · 01-10-2011, 08:34 AM

You're welcome.

CD · 01-10-2011, 08:35 AM

Check (very carefully) the seam that goes across the top between the escape hatch & the front of the cap. I had your problem and while resealing around the escape hatch, I noticed a faint line about 3" long at the seam. I very carefully pushed my knive blade under the seam & lifted. There was dirt under the seam where water had been running in like it was a funnel.

yorgor · 01-10-2011, 08:50 AM

Just remember Murphy's Law ("If anything can happen, it will")

kwheat · 01-11-2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CD

Check (very carefully) the seam that goes across the top between the escape hatch & the front of the cap. I had your problem and while resealing around the escape hatch, I noticed a faint line about 3" long at the seam. I very carefully pushed my knive blade under the seam & lifted. There was dirt under the seam where water had been running in like it was a funnel.

That is a good idea. However, I did apply new sealant to all roof seams about 18 months ago, with a good dose at the front cap seam. I was thinking about getting my garden hose and starting at the bottom (at the S&S logo) and slowly working my way up the front of camper to see if i can identify the culprit!

thanks for your help!

Kevin