Fixing leaking joints in a camper

DIYME · Post by **DIYME** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:00 pm

Hi there,

I've got an old (1979) motorhome and it has got leaks at the joins between the walls and roof. Some of this water is getting in through one of the windows.

What's the best way to fix this?

regards

Brian

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:09 pm

First thing id do is try and find exactly where the leak is coming from.
Remove interior trims, and get a glamorous assistant, to put the hosepipe over it.

When youve pinpointed the location, it may well be obvious why its leaking....

Could be old sealnt has given up, a screw has come loose....

Depending on what type of body it has, it could possibly be resealed with a good quality automotive sealant.

As for the window, is it one mounted in an aluminium frame, of simply glass with a rubber seal, has the seal perished?

DIYME · Post by **DIYME** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:22 pm

I'm pretty sure the leak is coming in from where the wall meets the roof. There is an aluminium trim that joins the two together and it does look as though it has come away a bit.

I might look at trying some sealant under the trim, thanks.

The window sits inside a small frame

regards

Brian

DougJones · Post by **DougJones** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:30 am

As Hitch says, use a good sealant, but make sure it's a flexable type as there is movement on the body panels whilst driving which would tend to crack a solid sealant.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:33 am

my freind had several leaks over a lage area they had tried everything around the gutter/wall/roof area and below it had been going on for years

i stood on a ladder and notices 4 holes in the roof in a triangular pattern with an additional hole off centre within the triangle i decided although the holes where uneven with ragged edges they looked fixing points as there was a very faint circle mark encompasing the holes

i said it lookes like a fixing point but there was only one!!!!!

have you ever fixed anything on the roof i asked !!!

nope

youve never noticed anything on the roof!!!!!!

nope

youve never had anything on the roof like an ariel maybe!!!!

eeeehhhhh [penny dropped]several years ago stopped getting watchable pictures on the tv after driving through the country lanes in devon

any way the moral off the story is the holes where in the roof above a cupboard this ment the water found its way to several different points seemingly unconnected
so the source off the leak may be well away from where it appears

DIYME · Post by **DIYME** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:50 am

Hi there

I know that water can run all over the place once it gets started, but I'm pretty sure I know where it is getting in on this van.

I ran several strips of gaffer tape over the area where I suspected and it cured the problem temporarily. It was never meant as a permanent fix but I think it has confirmed my suspicions as to where the water is getting in.

Thanks for all your advice so far people,

regards

Brian

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:47 pm

Brian, if the aluminium trim is easily removed, screws, rivets, and you can fix it back on afterward, id be inclined to remove the entire peice of trim, and remove all the old sealant, re-bed it back and fix it back on.

The adhesive/sealnt that springs to mind to be ideal would be something like sikaflex. I think they even do one for vans. Not entirely sure but it might be sikaflex 512.

If not, tigerseal, another good quality sealant, widely used in the autiomotive industry.

Both are polyurethane based rather than silicones. Expect to pay about £7-8 per tube. But rest assured, its good stuff.

DIYME · Post by **DIYME** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:58 pm

Thanks for that Hitch,

I'll look for some sikaflex.

I'm not sure how difficult or easy it will be to completely remove the trim without bending it out of shape, but I'll have a look.

I might have had a go today but not in this wonderful summer weather we've been having

regards

Brian