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DIYME
Junior Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Location: North Wales
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 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: Fixing leaking joints in a camper |
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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 |
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2531
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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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?
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DIYME
Junior Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Location: North Wales
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| Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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DougJones
Senior Member
Joined: 24 Feb 2008
Posts: 838
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:30 am Post subject: |
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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. 
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big-all
Pro Carpenter
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 2775
Location: redhill surrey an auld reekie laddie
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:33 am Post subject: |
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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
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DIYME
Junior Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Location: North Wales
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: |
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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 |
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2531
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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DIYME
Junior Member
Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 4
Location: North Wales
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| Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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