Our Airstream leaked

[MLeonard]

We had a really rough winter in the Northeast, and we only purchased our first airstream back in October. It's a 2003 classic. When we went to check on it the other day we noticed that the rug is wet and even the upholsterer dinette benches and couch are wet. Now, I have been looking for a really good reason to get it reupholstered and take out the rug to lay hardwoods, but my husband has been adamant on keeping it all original for resale value. Are we looking at just running a dehumidifier and maybe a shop vac, or do I get to gut it?

[AWCHIEF]

Find and fix the leak. Without doing thst first anything else you do is a waste of time and money.

[Wingeezer]

Agree with Michael, don't even think about changing flooring until you have found and fixed the leak.

Sometimes the source can be tricky to find, that water can leaking at one point and follow a contorted route within the walls before it finds its way to the floor and makes its presence known!

Check windows, seams, rivets, and caulking on anything up on the roof such as antennas, skylights, awning brackets, fans, etc. Eventually you should find the source of the leak - probably after you recaulk everything! !

Brian

[KJRitchie]

Might be worth finding a shop that performs a pressurized leak test. Sounds like you have multiple leaks.

Kelvin

[Belegedhel]

Welcome to the Forums!

I'll second the above--start by fixing the leak, but in the mean time, you will want to get it dried out ASAP to minimize damage to the subfloor, growth of mold, etc.. Yes, a wet vac, dehumidifier, air mover, etc., are all going to help. If you find that your subfloor is rotting, you may have repairs that go well beyond redecoration.

As to keeping the trailer original for the sake of resale value, I wouldn't worry too much. As long as you don't make design choices that are so individualized (ie., gum-drop green carpeting) that nobody else can tollerate them, I don't think you are in too much danger.

good luck!

[Wayne&Sam]

If you had a lot of snow on the roof, that might have allowed it to leak where it might normally be ok. I'm thinking something like a vent or a seam that leak the way a roof on your house might with an ice dam. Those leaks may be harder to find without the snow.

[MLeonard]

Thank you all so much for your feedback. We had a lot of snow on the roof and that is where I think it is leaking from. We are going to work on cleaning it out and dry it up and then decide where to go from there. I might get those hardwood floors after all ;-)

[thesignlady]

First step get a dehumidifier in there. When I was first dealing with my leaky mess I found a used large household one on craigslist, it worked great to pull all the water out.

I actually just pulled it out again last night because I steam cleaned all my foam with a combo of upholstery cleaner and bleach and I want it to dry out fast so mildew doesn't start to grow.

As for the leaks start at the top looking for leaky rivets and seals and work your way down. Each and every time you get a storm blowing rain from a different angle go and check on your trailer again. it took me months to get my leaks under control.

Oh and you really don't want hardwood floors in there until your damn good and sure you got all the leaks because the water will just hide under that nice high floor and rot out your sub floor.

[cwf]

my AS also leaked.. floor was damaged. I fixed leakssssss and then dried the floor completely... next, I repaired the floor with special epoxy. It is not pretty, but it is strong again...

[wvstreamer]

Channing,
Specifically, what epoxy and process?
Thanks
Dave

[mnmhays]

There is a "wet wood restorer" product out there that hardens soft/wet wood and inhibits further decay (best used for small spot or to allow you to patch to a small spot)

[cwf]

Originally Posted by wvstreamer

Channing,
Specifically, what epoxy and process?
Thanks
Dave

I used "Git-Rot". Got from West Marine.

Here is a similar but more thorough kit
http://www.systemthree.com/projects-rot-repair.asp?gclid=CMLGjo-5uMQCFZeVfgodjr0AQA

There are things thee to kill off bacteria, mold, etc.

Send Pm if you want details.. To keep thread clean...