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Post by sandie on Apr 22, 2014 19:28:43 GMT
My low profile coachbuilt has a mystery leak. After rain, water appears in the over cab locker. It just seems to seep in where the plywood that forms the floor of the locker joins the fibreglass of the over-cab 'pod'. I can't take the floor of the pod out as it is sealed into the fibreglass. I've had the transverse joint between the fibreglass pod and the rear roof section re-sealed, both roof lights re-sealed (but these are quite a way from the front anyway) and the sealant where the over cab section meets the driving cab above the windscreen has been replaced. Last night we had the first significant rain since I got it back from the repairers and the water ingress problem is still there. It's not running in from above, that I can see, but I have no idea where to look next (neither has the repair shop). I assume that water is building up between the cab roof and the floor of the over-cab locker, which could eventually damage the fibreglass. There are no visible cracks in the fibreglass or breaks in any other seals, and no damp in the inside around the aerial and heater vents, which are the only things that pentrate the fibreglass pod. There's no damp at roof level in the cupboards to the rear of the pod, (properly tested by repair shop) I've tried using a hosepipe on various parts of the van to try to trace the problem but results are inconclusive. Has anyone had a similar problem, or can suggest what to look at next? Could the fibreglass have become porous? Is this possible?
Any help gratefully received.
Sandie
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Post by n brown on Apr 22, 2014 19:39:08 GMT
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Post by sandie on Apr 22, 2014 20:03:56 GMT
Thanks, It's definately not condensation as I can watch the moisture appear when it's raining. I get about a cupful after a morning of rain, but that's only what I can see - i.e. that which pools on the plywood. I thought about sawing into the plywood but I don't want to damage the metal of the cab roof below it, and I've a feeling that the ply also provides some structural integrity to the over cab pod. What was your comment about porosity?
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Post by n brown on Apr 22, 2014 20:11:09 GMT
well i'm no expert,but i understand that f/glass can become porous over time,or if mistreated. i do know that the finished fibreglass piece is given a gel coat to protect it,and maybe rubbing on shrubbery or cleaning has damaged it.i'm guessing here,but if you can get a visible result every time it rains,then it might be worth gaffer taping over joins to try and do a bit of elimination
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Post by sandie on Apr 22, 2014 20:22:38 GMT
well i'm no expert,but i understand that f/glass can become porous over time,or if mistreated. i do know that the finished fibreglass piece is given a gel coat to protect it,and maybe rubbing on shrubbery or cleaning has damaged it.i'm guessing here,but if you can get a visible result every time it rains,then it might be worth gaffer taping over joins to try and do a bit of elimination Thanks again. I came to the same conclusion re: tape, and have taped up some places earlier today. I am now hoping for rain!
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Post by n brown on Apr 22, 2014 20:31:54 GMT
might be worth investing in some Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure, lot of people swear by it,it works by capillary action,same as water,so do every join with it !
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Post by sandie on Apr 22, 2014 21:23:54 GMT
might be worth investing in some Captain Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure, lot of people swear by it,it works by capillary action,same as water,so do every join with it ! Looked it up - watched video, gets good reviews on Amazon, so I have bought some. Will let you know if it solves the problem.
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Post by sandie on May 1, 2014 19:40:20 GMT
Yes! Leak located (taped up various seals and removed them one at a time when rain expected). I would not have thought that the water could have tracked from where it came in to where it emerged. Clearly, the cab pod DOES have a void in the centre, despite people telling me it must be single skinned. I re-sealed the offending joint with an appropriate sealant and also used Capt Tolleys on various other joints for good measure. I borrowed a boroscope from work, drilled a hole in the base of the cab locker and checked for trapped water - none found, everything looks sound and dry. Happy happy!
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