Modern high quality RV's are manufactured using the most up to date technology to seal the coaches from the elements. If you consider the vibration along with the shake, rattle, and roll that occurs when you are towing or driving your unit, it is not hard to understand why there is an ongoing potential for water leaks. Water that penetrates your unit can lead to expensive repairs and a loss of fun-time while those repairs are being made. Helping to insure that your coach is leak proof each Spring is easily well worth the effort.
The first step is to examine the exterior of your unit at each of the logical points where there is a potential for leaks (all corners and seams). You should look for any gaps in the sealants and caulkings, loss of flexibility and adhesion in the sealants due to age, and mechanical damage to the sealants and/or joints.
Some of the areas to inspect are:
• the entire roof with increased attention where the roof meets the exterior walls and at every location on the roof where a vent, skylight, or accessory penetrates the roof.
• the exterior walls, again with special attention to each point where the wall has been penetrated (windows, vents, storage compartments, and accessories)
The hardest weather on an RV is snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. We all know that water expands as it freezes and even the smallest drop of water that freezes has the potential to create a opening allowing melting ice or rain to enter through.
If you discover a problem or a potential problem you can purchase specialty sealants and caulking from your RV parts department and reseal the area yourself or take your coach into a quality RV Service Department and arrange for a certified professional to do the work for you.
A simple way to help insure that your coach stays dry is to arrange for to have your RV tested with a leak detection unit. Most professional RV service departments have these specialized units and the charge for the test is modest compared with your investment in your “home away from home”. The way a leak test is performed is straight forward. It begins with a visual inspection and then the Seal-Test unit is installed at a vent and the interior of your coach is pressurized with air. A special type of soap mix is sprayed on your coach with special attention at the points of penetration. Leaks show up in the form of bubbles and show the Service Technician where attention is required. In discussion with Certified RV Technicians they caution that no leak test is an absolute guarantee of detecting all potential leaks because our environment of wind, water, and temperature changes can change water tight conditions over-night.
The key to helping insure that we are protecting our RV's from the potential of water damage seems to be ongoing self inspection followed up yearly with professional leak detection. If you have any questions about protecting your RV from water damage contact your nearest RV service department representative and they will be happy to discuss your concerns.
A dry RV'r is a happy RV'r
