water damage

gordon23 · 07-29-2011, 12:22 PM

The forward a/c gasket that I struggled to replace last summer is leaking again. Was installed as per instructions. Should I have used silicon anyway.
Any expert advise how to seal it please.

Also, does anyone have a remedy for the brown water stains that resulted on the headliner inside. I have an area about two feet diameter surrounding the a/c unit that looks terrible.

Senior Chief · 07-29-2011, 12:36 PM

Did you try tightening the gasket a bit more?

If your gasket (I assume you're talking about is the square 14"x14" foam gasket) was properly installed and correctly tightened down to 1/2" thick it should not leak for years.

Could you have over-tightened it and crushed the foam?

Silicone is useless; please, please NEVER use it on your roof.

gordon23 · 07-29-2011, 02:39 PM

Appreciate your help.....when I did it the roof, which is pebbled vinyl, not rubber or whatever was cleaned with spirits. I let it dry and stripped the membrane off the new 14 X 14 gasket as per instructions. It stuck to the bottom of the a/c unit until I placed the whole assembly over the hole. From the inside I tightened each of the 4 bolts 6 turns at a time until the gasket was compressed to about 1/2 it's thickness. The old one had been overtight as it was barely paper thin when I removed it.

Water is definitely seeping under the rubber and migrating along the inside edge of the hole. How it gets in is a mystery to me too.

What if I lift the unit and lay down a bead of plumbers putty (they sell in like pencil sticks) on a new gasket ? Then compress it like before.

Darn frustrated by a leak that won't stop.......more input is welcome.

TXiceman · 07-29-2011, 03:41 PM

After a new gasket is installed, you will need to tighten it about 4 weeks after the install.

Above all, do not apply any caulk or sealant to the gasket.

Ken

Senior Chief · 07-30-2011, 06:24 AM

Go up on the roof and check that the condensate drain is not plugged with debris; sometimes this will cause leaking internally.

Hooligan · 07-31-2011, 08:09 PM

For water stains, try using a mild OxyClean solution and a soft brush or sponge. Let it sit for several minutes then blot with a towel. Always try a test area just in case.
Hope this helps. and good luck.