Caravan leaking

[Vineboy]

I have just bought a very second hand caravan and surprise, surpise it leaks. I have used roof and gutter silicon above the windows and doors but what do you suggest for the roof?

[hillbilly123]

First thing is to find out where exactly it is leaking as it isnt always where u think it is. Windows should be removed and proper sealing tape applied behind frame after cleaning carefully. Like wise Doors. No good sealing over old stuff either. I had a leak in the back corner at floor level. Checked roof and wall seals,all good. Found water was getting in above wheels where the makers hadn't bothered to put any sealant and just covered it with a plastic moulding that didnt seal at all against the side. Had to remove moulding and pull staples (what was left after rusting) clean it all with turps then put plenty of Sikaflex in and nailed it all back to frame then sealed over whole edge. Doesnt get wet now.
Sikaflex is better than silicone as it remains pliable.Silicone eventually pulls off one side or the other, guaranteed if there is movement it will.
Also remove all old sealant and clean thoroughly with turps and dry it then put new stuff on. Also check the screws in the strip around edge of roof to make sure none are rusted out.
Only real way to be sure is to remove or even replace the edge moulding and reseal it properly.
Aircon frames are another place to check as the foam can shift and allow water in. Easily checked from inside by removing face plate. New foam seals are upwards of $30.
Give you something to spend time on but worth it in the end. Have seen vans that havent been sealed properly and whole areas of the frame simply rotted away.

[baby_troupe]

Do you plan on towing it or is it to be a "extra room" for home.

If an extra room, just put a corrugated iron roof over it ;)

[corhijas]

sikaflex is the way to go for sure mate

[Vineboy]

Do you plan on towing it or is it to be a "extra room" for home.

If an extra room, just put a corrugated iron roof over it ;)

It's not going to hit the road apart from towing into town for my vineyard pruners to live in for 2 months or so each year. Outside of that it will be a kids cubby house I imagine. I would like to just put a tin roof over it but could be a bit dodgy on the road into town (10ks or so). Alot of our rain comes with wind so I really don't know if just a roof will work.

I'm getting some "Stop Leak" from a caravan shop tomorrow. It's suppose to be some rubber type stuff.

I know the proper way is to fully get in there and pull windows out but I will probably wreck more things than I fix.

[rumpig]

maybe look at using emerseal if you don't care what it looks like, we used to use this stuff for sealing ponds and behind bessar block retaining walls. it's a pretty flexible sealer.

[Gavb90]

ha i am an aprentis caravan repirer i do this sort of stuff every day and that stop leak stuff is crap for around windows and dors and looks crap to it is made for roofs. the best and easiest thing for you to do would be to scrape of all the old gunk from around the window or dore useing a stanley knife and some sort or scaper and wipe it all doun with shelite (you can bye it from the supermarket) DONT use turps ass it leave a oily residue on the aliminiam and nothing will stik to it propley and now get some caravan sealant or v4 silastik you will get that from your caravan shop were you got your stop leak and now get a bowl of soapy water and you sealent. run a bead of sealant around the window and put your fingers in the water and spread around the window and wipe exes of with a rag and thats about it. hope that helps.

[Vineboy]

ha i am an aprentis caravan repirer i do this sort of stuff every day and that stop leak stuff is crap for around windows and dors and looks crap to it is made for roofs. the best and easiest thing for you to do would be to scrape of all the old gunk from around the window or dore useing a stanley knife and some sort or scaper and wipe it all doun with shelite (you can bye it from the supermarket) DONT use turps ass it leave a oily residue on the aliminiam and nothing will stik to it propley and now get some caravan sealant or v4 silastik you will get that from your caravan shop were you got your stop leak and now get a bowl of soapy water and you sealent. run a bead of sealant around the window and put your fingers in the water and spread around the window and wipe exes of with a rag and thats about it. hope that helps.

Cheers, I'll give it a go.