Community Forums

2Labs · 08-10-2011, 03:45 PM

We're spending a few days at the Lake George Escapes campground and we've had some pockets of really heavy, and at times, torrential rains. The rain last night sounded like marbles being bounced off the roof - that's how heavy it was.

When I got up this morning and went to open the blinds, I was horrified at the stain in the ceiling that clearly originated around the overhead TV antenna. We've had some light to medium rains before and haven't had any leaks so now I'm thinking what is up?

I added the DTV adaptor to the antenna during our stay in Niagara Falls, so we've been using the antenna bringing it up and down as we arrive and leave campsites and so immediately I thought that the up/down motion must have loosened up the base. So I hopped up on the roof and instead found that the upright boot that covers the cable came off and left a clear path for the water to come in, and given last nights rain, it probably pooled up pretty good up there.

So I'm thinking that the last owners probably didn't use the antenna much, if at all, and the cable itself must have been pulled a bit too short on the outside, and as we started using the antenna and moving it around to find the best signal, we pulled the boot up.

At least for now that's a minor fix up top, but now the ceiling looks terrible. I tried some spray shout and that seemed to work but once it dried the stain came right back. My thought is that the brown color is coming from/through the overhead wood panels and that they might still be a little damp. We'll let it dry out a bit more, and I'll probably remove the speaker that is right next to it and see how wet or dry it is up there.

Now to find a good solution to remove or reduce the staining ... ggrrrr

Senior Chief · 08-10-2011, 03:53 PM

Try dabbing on a strong solution of Oxyclean on a saturated rag or cotton ball, letting it sit a few minutes and then dabbing again to rinse with clear water. Start at the edges of the stain and work inward. It worked for me.

If you have a Little Green Machine or wet/dry vac, try sucking the dirty water out with that first. I wouldn't let it dry before trying to get the stain out.

Allison

C-PHartley · 08-10-2011, 05:23 PM

I just recently had a similar problem and tried several methods with no success. I tried Oxiclean and it worked perfectly. I disolved the powder in a spray bottle and sprayed the stain. I found that rubbing the carpet like material on my ceiling left the nap of the material roughed up. I just sprayed it on and let it dry. Let it dry thoroughly before re applying. I hope this helps.

2Labs · 08-11-2011, 09:50 AM

Thanks! ... it looks like OxyClean is the solution to try. We have to head out to the grocery store today, looks like we have one more thing on the list

Scooter · 08-11-2011, 07:14 PM

Does your owner's manual say EXACTLY what your ceiling is? Fabric, poly-something-or-other. Or.......?

We have, apparently, Ozite, made out of recycled plastic bottles. Our water stains came out with a 50-50 solution of bleach to water. Spray on with a fine mist and leave it alone for a day. See what's what next day and repeat if necessary. Don't blot or scrub.

I talked to the mfr of Ozite and was advised by Judy to use a half-cap of OxyClean to a spray bottle of water. We tried it and to no avail. Maybe I misunderstood and she said "half-CUP". I dunno. Call 800.746.4019. Ozite - Textile Specialists since 1864

I would not super saturate the ceiling too much as you could loosen the glue that holds the ceiling to the plywood.

fletch460 · 08-11-2011, 07:27 PM

We used a solution of peroxide and waterr (50-50) sprayed it on and rubbed lightly. Had to repeat on really bad ones. Bleach tended to discolor. Good Luck