Mildew in back storage compartment

[cashdaddy]

Ok, need to know what to do... the lesson has already been learned to store water hoses in totes so this is after the fact. In the back storage compartment water leaked out from a hose and sat several weeks before we knew it. Mildew of course set in on the carpet. I pulled the carpet and padding out. The wood underneath is pretty tender in two places but for the most part seems sturdy. It's the two places that have me concerned. One place I can push in on using a finger. What is a quick easy fix? Please tell me there is one.

[SeeMore]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/PC-Produc...4440/100649629

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-...0000/100376253

[A W Warn]

You may have water getting through the wall from the exterior. The lid on the rear bumper storage goes through the wall. It was not sealed at the factory when it was built. Unless someone has sealed it, by removing the rub-rail and caulking, it is something you should consider doing quickly.

It will get worse!!!

I know from personal experience!
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...de-109059.html

[AWCHIEF]

That looks like a lot more water than would leak from a drained water hose. I suspect you have a major long term leak like Alan said. Open it up and let throughly dry, paint with a product like Kilz and find that pesty leak.

[GMFL]

Looks like what alen said. That's a leak. This will help
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-...210757&cj=true

[ROBERT CROSS]

Had the same problem with our Classic.....

After removing the carpet, cleaning & drying......Plastic drainage tiles in ALL storage compartments.
POI.....took a week of heat lamp & fan to dry.

Good Luck...

Bob

[bradt]

I agree that it looks like a long term leak from the lid on the rear bumper storage. It is a slow horizontal seepage leak via capillary action thru the sandwich of the frame, storage lid plate, and plywood.
I am just completing my repair that involved replacing plywood in that area. I was able to see where the water came in. The morning dew would puddle on the lid hinge plate every day.
Note that the obvious leak appears to be from the top of the lid hinge plate. It can also seep in on the underside of the plate. Water can get to the underside thru the hinge. There is no drip edge.
Notice the ends of the lid hinge plate are just sitting on top of the frame with the gap exposed. So caulk the exposed ends, and open the lid and caulk the seam all around the underside too.
If possible, check the underside of the plywood. If it has bubble foil "insulation" cut it away with a razor knife. The bubble foil traps moisture and encourages rot.
I would not seal the plywood. It is not supposed to get wet. If it does get wet you want it to be able to dry.
If the plywood has the factory black sealant paint around the edge, sand or scrape lines thru it to let trapped moisture out.
The factory water proofing design ended up creating traps for moisture instead of keeping it dry.
Last thing, spray the bare plywood with a 10% solution of Timbor to prevent further rot. Available from doyourownpestcontrol.com, Timbor is used on log homes and by utility companies to prevent power poles from rotting. Safe to mix and apply with a hand spray bottle, it makes plain wood become like pressure treated. It travels slowly via diffusion from cell to cell in the wood. It works great.
Good luck with your repair. It looks like only a small area and you caught it in time.
Brad

[MelGoddard]

When the "Tin Can Shed" is in storage behind the house, I keep the Maxxe-Airrs" open, the interior doors, and cupboards open, and I have a small "Caframo" fan operating at all times. (The trailer is plugged into the house).
This helps to ensure that the air is moving all the time, circulating, and hopefully preventing mildew and mold.

In good weather, I may open a window to let in fresh air; in bad weather, the windows are closed.

Don't know what else to do.

[Air4563]

We always connect the ends of our hoses together after draining them. Then the water does not leak into the storage compartment. I also open up the storage compartment and let it air out when we get home.

[Boxite]

Connecting the ends of the hoses does prevent leaks like that...but it also encourages bacteria growth. It's a good idea to run bleach-water thru them when you get home and let them air-dry.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

<<snip>>

Don't know what else to do.

Removing the lower rub rail and caulking the opening is the only semi-fix that I know of.

While in storage: I've started raising the trailer tongue an inch or two above level so that the bumper storage cover is slope away from the body. And, on one side the tires are on wood block an inch or two higher than the other side. Doing these thing help drain any surface water off the rear bumper lid quickly.

This minimal slope does not affect the function of the refrigerator or the AC condensate drain (at least on my trailer it does not).