Community Forums

Wiljoh · 03-09-2025, 10:44 PM

We have a Newmar Ventana 4369 and have been seeing several ounces of brown colored water leaking into the shower pan along the base of the back wall usually after rain. NIRVC recently conducted a pressure test and could not find an air leak out of the interior on the roof. They recently scraped and re-sealed everything on the roof to include a skylight located above the shower. But that did not resolve the issue. We are at a loss trying to identify the source of the leaking brown colored water. Any ideas or comments if someone has had this issue would be appreciated.

gregoryd73 · 03-09-2025, 11:48 PM

Brown colored water is typically associated with a leak from a roof penetration or window seal, then into the wall, where it picks up dirt from the assembly of the RV when manufactured, giving it the brown color. This can be hard to track down, since water can travel some distance from the source depending on where gravity takes it. Since you mention it only shows up when it rains, this fact is a clue that it is coming from one of the things I mention, or a roof vent, skylight, etc.

Argosy · 03-10-2025, 07:07 AM

The water is brown because it's a long term leak. As the wood decays it turns dark, so does the water that runs over or through it. Any spots anywhere on your ceiling?

Did anyone check the plumbing to see if it's the source? Most likely not as you say it appears when it rains but it generally only means removing a few screws. Have you looked at the roof during a rain to see if there's anywhere the water lays? Did the leak seem to change in how long it took to appear or the quantity of water after the repairs?

shepardmike · 03-10-2025, 07:17 AM

Where are the shower controls in relation to this picture? Have you run a pressure test on you hot and cold water systems?

Mudfrog · 03-10-2025, 07:49 AM

Could be the plumbing but since the OP stated it's "usually after rain", then it almost has to be a hole/crack/sealant problem on the roof or around a window.

Is the brown water coming from behind an exterior wall? The skylight or its sealant is a good suspect but as mentioned, the rain could be entering from a few feet away. How close is the nearest roof a/c?

SafariBen · 03-10-2025, 08:01 AM

What's your location, and are you living in it, or is it in storage? There's a remote possibility that it's condensation flowing back down the wall. The water will pick up tannins from any wood, so the color is expected, and doesn't help much.

**hamm2018** · 03-10-2025, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiljoh

We have a Newmar Ventana 4369 and have been seeing several ounces of brown colored water leaking into the shower pan along the base of the back wall usually after rain. NIRVC recently conducted a pressure test and could not find an air leak out of the interior on the roof. They recently scraped and re-sealed everything on the roof to include a skylight located above the shower. But that did not resolve the issue. We are at a loss trying to identify the source of the leaking brown colored water. Any ideas or comments if someone has had this issue would be appreciated.

One place not mentioned is the AC units, if installed on the roof.
We had the rig in the shop for a repair to the nose. Somehow the center AC unit was moved, hold down bolts were bent, probably by hitting the garage door opening. It was over a year before it leaked. Replaced the hold down bolts and gasket.
Check the AC gaskets.

Wiljoh · 03-10-2025, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

Could be the plumbing but since the OP stated it's "usually after rain", then it almost has to be a hole/crack/sealant problem on the roof or around a window.

Is the brown water coming from behind an exterior wall? The skylight or its sealant is a good suspect but as mentioned, the rain could be entering from a few feet away. How close is the nearest roof a/c?

There is a window on an escape door about 1’ to the left of the shower that they may not have soaped down during the NIRVC pressure test. Although it’s to the side of the shower, water will seek the path of least resistance. Thanks for the idea! BTW, it’s raining now so we will see what appears this time.

Wiljoh · 03-10-2025, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

One place not mentioned is the AC units, if installed on the roof.
We had the rig in the shop for a repair to the nose. Somehow the center AC unit was moved, hold down bolts were bent, probably by hitting the garage door opening. It was over a year before it leaked. Replaced the hold down bolts and gasket.
Check the AC gaskets.

Great idea, thanks! There are 3 ACs on the roof, and the one up front did have an unknown brown colored leak on the roof. Even though they re-sealed all of the exterior areas on the roof, that leak traveled to the front of the rv, whereas the current leak in the shower is in the rear of the rv. Thanks again for you response.

Wiljoh · 03-10-2025, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariBen

What's your location, and are you living in it, or is it in storage? There's a remote possibility that it's condensation flowing back down the wall. The water will pick up tannins from any wood, so the color is expected, and doesn't help much.

We have only had it out of covered storage in Texas four times on trips. It is currently raining here in Florida so we will see if more water appears. Thanks for your response!

Kevin Bell · 03-10-2025, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiljoh

We have a Newmar Ventana 4369 and have been seeing several ounces of brown colored water leaking into the shower pan along the base of the back wall usually after rain. NIRVC recently conducted a pressure test and could not find an air leak out of the interior on the roof. They recently scraped and re-sealed everything on the roof to include a skylight located above the shower. But that did not resolve the issue. We are at a loss trying to identify the source of the leaking brown colored water. Any ideas or comments if someone has had this issue would be appreciated.

Wiljoh,

I would encourage you to reach out to your Service Advisor about this issue. If this is the complaint you brought your coach in for, we would be happy to revisit the issue. Also, it would appear that the shower pan may need a re-seal after the leak is resolved.

THenne1713 · 03-30-2025, 01:31 PM

If that is a wood paneling vs plastic, I strongly suspect sweating is bringing color out of the woods at the contact lower edge of paneling, or possibly from shower/ bath moisture condensing on back wall? Also possible is sweating in area of any wood framing members that the plastic is attached to during cold winter weather, but moisture source Might be shower/ bath activities? THERE IS A REASON why most baths now have exhaust fans... has nothing to do with RV/ home/ Residential. If behind the left panel can be accessed with a $20 cable camera attachment to cell phone, you MIGHT find some answers? I am guessing left panel is outside wall?

Wiljoh · 03-31-2025, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THenne1713

If that is a wood paneling vs plastic, I strongly suspect sweating is bringing color out of the woods at the contact lower edge of paneling, or possibly from shower/ bath moisture condensing on back wall? Also possible is sweating in area of any wood framing members that the plastic is attached to during cold winter weather, but moisture source Might be shower/ bath activities? THERE IS A REASON why most baths now have exhaust fans... has nothing to do with RV/ home/ Residential. If behind the left panel can be accessed with a $20 cable camera attachment to cell phone, you MIGHT find some answers? I am guessing left panel is outside wall?

Great idea to use the cable camera. I still think this is rain related as it’s been raining during the only instances we see the water. Everyone has been great to provide ideas. I have the motorcoach scheduled for a return trip to NIRVC, and I am confident that they will solve this issue. Thanks again!