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MSHappyCampers · 10-01-2020, 04:03 PM

This one has me really scratching my head! We have had a roof leak problem for quite some time, and I have spent countless hours trying to figure it out. It is showing up mostly in the bathroom but with lesser signs in the kitchen. I thought the problem was with the bathroom vent fan, but after resealing it we still had some leakage. A few days ago my son found the leak around the roof vent for the fridge, where we never suspected it to be!

The ceiling material is vinyl with a 1/4" foam backing. The leak has been going on so long that the material shrunk away from a trim strip dividing the ceiling in the bathroom, and there is extensive mold on the foam side of the material. I planned to just replace the bathroom ceiling material and found exactly what I needed on Amazon. Then Murphy's Law hit me between the eyes with a 2x4!

On closer inspection I find that the manufacturer installed the entire ceiling, front to back, before installing any cabinets, door frames, etc. All the woodwork is just pressed up against the continous celing material. This means there's nothing to conceal the edges of the new material around the perimeter of the bathroom.

I don't know anything about mold, so I don't know how serious this is. I have a local mold expert coming by tomorrow to give me an opinion. It seems like all my small projects grow into major ones!

RKins · 10-01-2020, 04:52 PM

Sorry to hear about your water intrusion.
Yeah, I think that is the norm to have a complete shell (ceiling (to include ductwork, electrical for overhead lights, coax, any electrical wiring to the fuse panels, electrical wiring that are run overhead), flooring (carpet, vinyl, wood, tile, etc), walls (with electrical, plumbing) and then bring in all the cabinetry. All in one day.....

Argosy · 10-01-2020, 05:37 PM

Get a piece of trim to go around the top of the wall to hide the edge of the new ceiling material. Stain it to match the rest of the wood, paint it to match the material. My bet is no one but you will notice.

Wild Card · 10-01-2020, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy

Get a piece of trim to go around the top of the wall to hide the edge of the new ceiling material. Stain it to match the rest of the wood, paint it to match the material. My bet is no one but you will notice.

This right here.

I would cut it around cabinets etc, install new and trim around cabinets and walls.

Dav L · 10-01-2020, 09:30 PM

You can cut the fabric a little long next to the cabinets. Then, mask and spray a little adhesive on the ceiling to the edge of the cabinets. Just enough to reactivate the adhesive on the fabric.

Use a new, thin 1" flexible narrow paint scraper to push the edge under the cabinets that are butted to the ceiling.

The hard part is to keep the adhesive on the right side of the fabric. Keep some clean white rags close by and some acetone to clean up any residue. Home depot has bags of rags perfect for this. Don't use paper towels as that would be a mess.

I will be doing this tomorrow as well.

MSHappyCampers · 10-02-2020, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argosy

Get a piece of trim to go around the top of the wall to hide the edge of the new ceiling material. Stain it to match the rest of the wood, paint it to match the material. My bet is no one but you will notice.

I would do that except that part of it is not against wood, but white wallboard!

MSHappyCampers · 10-02-2020, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav L

You can cut the fabric a little long next to the cabinets. Then, mask and spray a little adhesive on the ceiling to the edge of the cabinets. Just enough to reactivate the adhesive on the fabric.

Use a new, thin 1" flexible narrow paint scraper to push the edge under the cabinets that are butted to the ceiling.

The hard part is to keep the adhesive on the right side of the fabric. Keep some clean white rags close by and some acetone to clean up any residue. Home depot has bags of rags perfect for this. Don't use paper towels as that would be a mess.

I will be doing this tomorrow as well.

That may work! Let me know how it works out for you! Thanks!

153stars · 10-03-2020, 06:37 PM

I'm not sure if it was mentioned to use 3M headliner or other auto upholstery interior recommended glues compatible with foam . They will not go soft at high interior/ceiling temps like many contact cements.

**Spdracr39** · 10-03-2020, 06:42 PM

Not having seen a picture I would guess some quarter round trim may work pretty well.

tmw188 · 10-03-2020, 06:58 PM

Joe I would test lay a pc of 1/4 round like mentioned above of different sizes. Easy.

MSHappyCampers · 10-04-2020, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 153stars

I'm not sure if it was mentioned to use 3M headliner or other auto upholstery interior recommended glues compatible with foam . They will not go soft at high interior/ceiling temps like many contact cements.

Thanks for the tip! I didn't know that!

MSHappyCampers · 10-04-2020, 08:46 AM

The problem with the quarter round is that in some places the ceiling is against wood, others white wallboard. Plus it would be a pain going around the doors, etc. That will definitely be a last resort!

cavie · 10-04-2020, 08:51 AM

The first thing you must think about is how to remove and replace all the
WET insulation in the ceiling. This must be done before replacing the ceiling material.

MSHappyCampers · 10-04-2020, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavie

The first thing you must think about is how to remove and replace all the
WET insulation in the ceiling. This must be done before replacing the ceiling material.

The insulation is above the thin particle board that the padded vinyl is attached to so that isn't a problem. Hopefully with all the heat that we've had any moisture in the insulation will be dried out!