Roof leak Forums

Pharaoh

Okay, I'm sure it's a favorite here. Got water coming through the roof (1990 autoquest) I first thought it was a seam on the side, dismantled it and resealed, however I now find that was not the problem. Water is coming in 'somewhere' and flowing to the lowest point. I climbed up onto the roof and see that there are blobs of sealant around every screw and at random points over the roof, i'm think a previous owner tried to crack this one. [Get to the point will you!] Is there some kind of 'universal' sealant i could use? Just as I underseal or 'waxoyl' the underside I want to 'Overseal'. Construction is aluminium sheet honeycomb with insulation and plywood ceiling, I really don't want to strip the whole lot out.

MandyandDave

Hi Pharoah,

An adhesive/sealant is what your looking for, the type applied with a mastic gun, 'Sikaflex' is one that springs to mind.

Where is the leak? what area(s) are affected by water ingress? I had a similar problem on a M/Home a few years ago, and managed to rectify it eventually!

Pharaoh

The difficulty is I don't know where the leak is i.e. where it starts. the only way to find out would be to take down the (plywood) ceiling and inspect from inside. I appreciate 'sikaflex' etc as a sealant but I want to paint the whole roof (like they do on flat-roofed houses/extensions)
I have a vague plan to section of the roof a bit at a time with tarpaulin but that would take a few days and only narrow it down to, say, one particular quarter.
Cheers

Paulway

This is probably not a lot of help, but at least it will give hope that there is apossible solution (that is not a pun!). Many years ago, BMH, back in the 70's I used to have sailing cruisers made of wood. When they got to a point where all else failed you ended up 'sheathing' them, some used GRP which after some time cracked so you were back where you started! A company came up with a product that was a two part rubber liquid that when mixed and spread over the hull then went off like a really solid rubber doormat that you could walk on (I used it inside as well as out) but remained flexible. Now I cannot for the life of me remember what it was called or who manufactured it but you could try a yaught chandlers, I suggest one of the bigger ones. By the way it was made in black grey and white so it may be what you need.
Good luck Paul

DABurleigh

You may find that readings with a damp tester from inside may give you a quick idea of its source. Then a targeted exterior inspection may yield the potential site of ingress.

Dave

theflyingscot

hi guys
i had a damp problem also in my luton area which was there when i bought it . it eventually came down to a small crack in a plastic window.
once i had repaired it it still didnt seem right so i gave up and stripped out the whole luton ( cupboards , beds the lot ) it took me ages but i soon realised that the wooden parts of the structure were saturated and immensely difficult to dry out even with extreme heat applied it takes forever to dry out wood . i had to take all the parts indoors and season for about a week then treat and finally refit . i dont want to upset anyone here but if theres ply sheeting involved or insulation youre possibly going to have to strip it out eventually if its soaked as wood appears dry on the surface for a short time then the damp comes back to the surface as it cant breathe properly to dry out . i wish i had just gutted it to start with .
hope somebody here gives a better solution as this is just my own experience .
sorry
kenny+stella

MandyandDave

Where on the ceiling is the wet bit?

A 1990 Elddis is yours a 320 420 ?? you don't say...is it in the Luton, is it above the rear lounge.. around a roof vent?? can you be more specific and we can offer more help!

Regards M&D Smile

Pharaoh

I'll try the Chandlers, sounds like good stuff. Mandyanddave, no I can't be more specific, it's a 270 the leak manifests at the lowest point of the ceiling, where the Luton slopes down to join the main roof but the water could be coming from either direction and puddling in the join before it emerges at the one end.
Thanks

BERTHA

Forgive me, I am not even a seasoned MH'r but I can't help but try and help!

I know this may sound daft but have you tried borrowing or purchasing a great big magnifying glass.
You know, the sort of one the dentist uses, then go along all the joints, around the windows and then across the top section.
You never know with this sort of magnification you might spot something

Hugh

Anonymous

hi we had a problem after a bird flew into the front nearside corner of our coachbuilt, they repaired the bodywork and had to replace the two roof marker lights, anyway after getting the van back we went out for a drive and water poured in just above the passenger door so we took the van back they insisted that all was done but would take another look, i suggested that they resealed the lights again, which they did, unfortunately it leaked again so back it went, the repairer got a little stroppy this time but as i said it was alright before the repair and thats what i wanted now i suggested the lights again (as there are no seams on our auto-sleeper,) he told me that he removed the lights cleaned them up and resealed them(i think he paid them more attention this time)six months on all seems well.
pete