Leak from the seam between aluminum panels?

[SyrenSkywolf]

Long story short, our last move in July apparently opened up a few seams, which we just found out about 2 weeks ago now that we are in the wet season.

I've gotten most of the leaks fixed. Proof that water travels. Leaks were showing at the wall in our bedroom, but the rain was entering through the roof vent in the bathroom (all visible leaks were 7-10 feet away from the vent). The lower panel of the wall is off, carpet gone, and insulation out (some signs of white mold on the panel and carpet below it). Everything cleaned and scrubbed.

I do have a couple tiny lingering ones, which I am slowly trying to map out and fix. One that I just discovered has me perplexed, however. This little leak looks like it is actually wicking in between the exterior aluminum panels at the seam between the two. If I push on the spot, more droplets seep out. If I try to push on either side of it, no sign of water at those points. It appears to simply be using physics to defy gravity. Anybody ever deal with this?

We'd like to get these all fixed, and soon. Sleeping 2 feet from bare aluminum in 25-35 temps the last 2 weeks is not fun. Not to mention the draft that comes in from the bottom of the siding when it gets windy!

[RV Wizard]

Water will in fact wick upward as you have discovered. I have dealt with it many times.

[TQ60]

Home made sealer...Use at your own risk...

If water is indeed wicking in a rolled or folded seam it can be a bugger to seal.

Get some epoxy and denatured alcohol and acetone.

The twin tube stuff will work but there are brands in 2 bottles that are a much better buy.

You need to first test mix as some work better with alcohol and others with acetone.

The acetone will be used to prep for sealing.

Mix a small batch of epoxy with about a pencil eraser size of each then thin it with the above solvents until it is thin enough to pour.

Use it to bond some chunks cut up soda cans and after cure see which worked better.

For the seam scrub with acetone using an acid brush and have a rag to catch any drips.

Let it dry then mix small batch of thinned epoxy and use the acid brush to apply epoxy to seam.

It should wick into the seam and the rag wetted with the thinning solvent should pick up anything outside of the seam.

Be sure to get it dry before yiu start...maybe placing a heater next to the area to warm it up.

Will make it cure better too.