|
Post by robmac on Dec 18, 2012 14:25:15 GMT
Oh dear, we've found a leak, there is water coming in at the meeting of the wall and ceiling. Luckily it is in the shower, which is probably the best place for it. (The shower is back corner of the van). Looks like I am going to have to reseal and so will probably do the whole seam,
2 Questions;
- Which Sealant shoud I use? Sikaflex?
- Do I need to wait for warmer weather before attempting this?
Thanks, Rob
|
|
|
Post by whitevanwoman on Dec 18, 2012 14:55:54 GMT
Sorry I can't answer either question although probably Sikaflex is best, that's what people recommended to me, and it needs to be dry weather, but don't know if temp affects it setting. BUT here's something worth trying as a very quick short term remedy if you need to wait till you can get the van under cover or for warmer weather, I've used it and it dries really quickly (so wipe off any spillages immediately). It's done the job to seal the leak on my whirlybird vent which I couldn't get to with the Sikaflex, I couldn't get the top nut undone to take the top off so couldn't do a proper sealed repair job. That was during the Spring time and it's still not leaking since. Watch out though, it's very runny, similar consistency to milk, so it took me by surprise and it ended up going everywhere! Only cut a tiny bit off the nozzle so its a tiny little hole otherwise it all runs out everywhere! Plus from memory, it's quite cheap, under a tenner on ebay I think, and it lasts for ages so you can use it to go round and do every single seal and join and still have half a bottle left. www.captaintolley.com/
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Dec 18, 2012 15:02:19 GMT
Great minds think alike........
I've used Capt Tolley's before on boats, really great stuff, I've already ordered some from ebay to do a 'for now' job!
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Dec 18, 2012 15:21:11 GMT
Sika needs 5 degrees or more to set from memory.
But the problem with seams is you never know where they are leaking as internal leak doesn't always match external hole - so creeping crack cure def worth a shot!
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Dec 18, 2012 15:25:48 GMT
Sika needs 5 degrees or more to set from memory. But the problem with seams is you never know where they are leaking as internal leak doesn't always match external hole - so creeping crack cure def worth a shot! yeah I thought about that, I'm hoping it is localised as it only appears one side of the bathroom wall, but I will do the whole seam anyway, (and the skylight and the seam across the roof).
|
|
|
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 19, 2012 7:30:59 GMT
What type of van do you have Rob? Coach built or PVC , I'd try creeping crack first ,then Sika .Its warmed up here now,but only because its hissing with rain
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Dec 19, 2012 9:00:34 GMT
What type of van do you have Rob? Coach built or PVC , I'd try creeping crack first ,then Sika .Its warmed up here now,but only because its hissing with rain Hi Stephen, It's coach built with a GRP roof. there is a seam half way across the roof and the usual roof fittings. I intend to try the Capt Tolleys and stick the dehumidifier in the bathroom (after thoroughly sealing the vents). Problem is it is never easy to know whether it has worked or not because it can take time to seep through.
|
|
|
Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 19, 2012 11:35:50 GMT
You could bring it to Bournemouth to test,its hissing down!
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Mar 11, 2013 9:39:04 GMT
Right I'm going too tackle this next weekend. I intend to remove the 2 seals and replace with plastic strips stuck down with Sikaflex. The existing ones are about 1/2 inch wide so I thought why not go for overkill and make them say 3" wide? Anybody any thoughts or does anybody know where I might obtain some plastic strips?
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Mar 12, 2013 18:06:29 GMT
I've just posted the following link on WC4MH in reply to somebody, but it is a useful one to reference in future if anybody has any problems with water ingress; www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Mar 12, 2013 19:08:35 GMT
Great links there. I just spent 20 minutes reading www.thomson-caravans.co.uk/alanparker/als.htmlSome good tips. Most people would have probably dumped the caravan - it was over 20 years old and full of damp. He basically rebuilt it though I can recommend Carafax IDL 99 if you every want to remake the seams. Sikaflex is good but will stick everything solid.
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Jun 16, 2013 13:37:18 GMT
It turns out that my water ingress problem is far worse than we thought. I have now found a couple of small holes in the fibreglass roof and having taken out some of the lining, parts of the frame are completely shot behind the cupboards. This means that I have to remove the dinette, batteries, cabinet with electrical controls, overhead lockers, part of the ceiling and the whole bathroom, replace all of the insulation and framework on that side, reline with ply and of course reseal the holes. Although this sounds a bit daunting, my son who is an engineer is going to help and he doesn't think it poses too much of a problem and we may as well do it right as I think the previous owner had resealed a previous leak without checking the damage caused behind the linings.
I will get some pictures as work progresses, but I am not going to start until after my holiday!
|
|
|
Post by lotusanne on Jun 16, 2013 19:25:33 GMT
Oh bloody hell Rob, you are right it sounds more than a bit daunting! But good for you for tackling it ... i bet there are many who would just try to sell it and saw nowt!
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Jun 16, 2013 19:59:00 GMT
Oh bloody hell Rob, you are right it sounds more than a bit daunting! But good for you for tackling it ... i bet there are many who would just try to sell it and saw nowt! Like what the bloke who sold it me did. I thought he had a lot of air fresheners in there. I couldn't do that personally, luckily, it won't cost me anything to sort out (apart from the price of some thin ply), and it should be as good as new when done.
|
|
|
Post by lotusanne on Jun 16, 2013 21:24:22 GMT
Yeah worth doing its a nice little van,and good to get it sorted. Good that you have got the skills, i bet it would cost a fair bit if you had to take it in somewhere
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Jun 17, 2013 3:48:30 GMT
It will also be a good time to fit the solar panel and reversing camera. Much easier to run the wiring whilst everything is dismantled.
by the way. It is my son who has the skills, not me! I will supervise, Doombar in hand!
|
|
|
Post by billieblue on Jun 17, 2013 7:42:25 GMT
It will also be a good time to fit the solar panel and reversing camera. Much easier to run the wiring whilst everything is dismantled. by the way. It is my son who has the skills, not me! I will supervise, Doombar in hand! Methinks you are being modest, Rob! Seriously tho it does sound like a big job - especially to someone like myself who can't do much. When I read of the stuff people do I feel really incompetent! To be fair to myself, I've probably got skills that others don't have - just not relevant to maintaining a motorhome/camper!
|
|
|
Post by lotusanne on Jun 18, 2013 21:59:59 GMT
It will also be a good time to fit the solar panel and reversing camera. Much easier to run the wiring whilst everything is dismantled. by the way. It is my son who has the skills, not me! I will supervise, Doombar in hand! Are you keeping the van now then Rob? If thinking of solar panel and camera? Cos you were talking about going for something very simple?
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Jun 19, 2013 3:50:18 GMT
It will also be a good time to fit the solar panel and reversing camera. Much easier to run the wiring whilst everything is dismantled. by the way. It is my son who has the skills, not me! I will supervise, Doombar in hand! Are you keeping the van now then Rob? If thinking of solar panel and camera? Cos you were talking about going for something very simple? Keeping it for the rest of this year Anne. Julie really doesn't want me to sell it, but I would love to do a conversion, or a self build based on a supplied box. I've also been looking at demountables recently to go on a 4x4 truck. No rush though, I've just got to persuade Julie that it was her idea in the first place!
|
|
|
Post by Firefox on Jun 19, 2013 11:39:58 GMT
Does it have a wooden frame Rob?
|
|
|
Post by robmac on Jun 19, 2013 18:32:34 GMT
It DID Vern, looks like only the upper sections have rotted so I will splice in some new hardwood.
|
|