Water leak

[darcia]

Hello, While RVing in N. Carolina this Fall with our 291/2' Class C Minnie Winnie we experienced a water leak in the first cabinet on the driver's side. There are 3 shelves in this area. There was only water in the bottom of the cabinet, but there was a LOT of water there, the playing cards, tablets etc were dripping wet. Our motor home has an entertainment are above the driver/passenger area rather than a bed. We had hard rain throughout the night, probably 12 hours of very hard rain.

Does anyone know where this water might have come in and how it can be prevented from happening again. Our motor home has a 2 slides, but the cabinet that got wet is not in the slide area, just next to it. Thanks for any help you can give us.

[fletch460]

suggest trying to duplicate with pressure washer. start at lower levels with someone watching with light in cabinet. Let set awhile and the move up till locate area. It will take some time. dont get to close with washer. try to copy hard rain. points of entry are running lights. acessories as antenna(especially). good luck.

[Dave from MN]

If your cab over isn't made with a made with a one piece form shell, then check the seams. There will be vinyl strip running in the center. This is covering screws. Water gets behind that strip & finds it way in with the screws. More water leaks from this poor design on RVs , then anyplace else. Best to find problem now. Water is going rot all wood it comes in contact with!

[iceman8]

As stated above. Also, many times, the water is entering at a location not directly above the water you found on the inside. If you can find a way to pressurerize the interior of the rig (with air), soapy solution squirted all over roof seems will show bubbles...and you will have found the leak. Usually, this is along an edge. As Dave above said...that too is a highly suspect area.

I have heard of guys doing the air pressure technique with a large shop vac. as follows: Shut all windows and doors/vents. Open one window sligthly and make an attachement point/seal from the outside (cardboard-duct tape array), attach vac, set to exaust mode...go up and check seems with soapy water. I have not done this but some RV places do it all the time. Some others just goop on some sealer in the suspected area and charge you...until it leaks again sooner or later.

If you find the location of a suspected leak, DO NOT just dab silicone or "any ol' stuff" in there. It will not work and will make the proper repairs later on, more difficult. You can find the proper repair for your type of roof on these forums and sometimes do it yourself. Even if you want to have it done by a shop, read up on it here and ask around so that you will possibly not fall victim to "Ahh, yeah...you need a whole new roof...that will be 2500 dollars minimum."

You probably do NOT need a new roof if you have caught the problem this early. If you are handy or know someone who is, AND will learn what the proper repair is, you can buy the materials and fix it most times for pennies on the dollar.

Start reading up on it. Good luck!