Uknown Leak

[mariusg78]

I have completely sealed my AS except for this one spot. It keeps leaking heavily above the kitchen stove and window (see picture). I have sealed above the window, the stove vent, and any seams and rivets I could find in the general area near or above. I also sealed where the air conditioner meets the skin. I have not even been able to make a dent in this leak. Has anyone else experienced this leak? I have tried and failed to track this down so now I reach out to you guys.
Could this be coming from the air conditioner? Have I missed something when I sealed the stove vent?
Thanks!!

[Jammer]

You may find as I sometimes have that it is necessary to remove the air conditioner to find out what's going on.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mariusg78

I have completely sealed my AS except for this one spot. It keeps leaking heavily above the kitchen stove and window (see picture). I have sealed above the window, the stove vent, and any seams and rivets I could find in the general area near or above. I also sealed where the air conditioner meets the skin. I have not even been able to make a dent in this leak. Has anyone else experienced this leak? I have tried and failed to track this down so now I reach out to you guys.
Could this be coming from the air conditioner? Have I missed something when I sealed the stove vent?
Thanks!!

Could be from a sewer vent pipe cover.

Those gaskets only last 2 to 3 years.

Andy

[Belegedhel]

This may be a long shot, but something to address if you haven't already. Your plumbing vent stacks are probably not too far from this area. If you haven't rebuilt them and put in fresh rubber gaskets, it could be that they are leaking like mad. IF they are the originals, then they are definitely leaking like mad, and you just aren't noticing the water because is puddling at the base of the inside of your wall.

[mariusg78]

I figured that might be a source. I did purchase new gaskets and will replace them once it stops raining. Thanks for the tips. I will re-post once I do that and let you know if it works!

[wahoonc]

Remember that the AS has horizontal stringers that will allow water to travel too...

Aaron

[Aage]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Could be from a sewer vent pipe cover.

Those gaskets only last 2 to 3 years.

Andy

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

This may be a long shot, but something to address if you haven't already. Your plumbing vent stacks are probably not too far from this area. If you haven't rebuilt them and put in fresh rubber gaskets, it could be that they are leaking like mad. IF they are the originals, then they are definitely leaking like mad, and you just aren't noticing the water because is puddling at the base of the inside of your wall.

Originally Posted by mariusg78

I figured that might be a source. I did purchase new gaskets and will replace them once it stops raining. Thanks for the tips. I will re-post once I do that and let you know if it works!

Here is the culprit you are looking for. There are three on the roof, the one to start with in your case is over the galley.

They look nice, once cleaned and slathered with too much Vulkem.


But you'll be surprised how much guck they can hold. Here is the gasket you will replace:



There is also a small piece of screen in the 'kits' that are sold to do this. Make sure the screen protrudes above the top of the hole, otherwise it can allow leaves and squirrel recycling to plug get into the pipe

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Aage

Here is the culprit you are looking for. There are three on the roof, the one to start with in your case is over the galley.

They look nice, once cleaned and slathered with too much Vulkem.

I think you may have covered the weep vents in the bottom of the metal cap there... Gotta have somewhere for the water that gets in between the stack and the cover to go.

Aaron

[Aage]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

I think you may have covered the weep vents in the bottom of the metal cap there... Gotta have somewhere for the water that gets in between the stack and the cover to go.

Aaron

Good thought, Aaron. I did that work waaay back when Henri was new to me, so while I don't remember any weeping holes, it IS logical that they be there.

I plan on re-doing them this summer, so I made myself a note to remember to leave the weeping holes open, and pull the screen up to deflect leaves.

Thanks!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Aage

Good thought, Aaron. I did that work waaay back when Henri was new to me, so while I don't remember any weeping holes, it IS logical that they be there.

I plan on re-doing them this summer, so I made myself a note to remember to leave the weeping holes open, and pull the screen up to deflect leaves.

Thanks!

FWIW I use EPDM (black rubber roofing) it lasts a fair bit longer than the regular black rubber gasket materials, 5 years and counting. The EPDM has a variety of UV blockers made into it to provide some longevity as a roof material. I will be inspecting mine again soon and can provide the 6 year update.

Aaron

[Belegedhel]

Where do you buy EPDM in small quantities?

[perryg114]

VTS has a fully covered vent stack that does not have this problem. I just put some Trempro-635 around that vent pipe and put the Tee-Pee back on and it is still leak free after 2 yrs. I will probably modify the Tee-Pee by putting some sort of top hat on it and then the inner gasket does not matter.

Also it could still be your stove vent. Mine had a crappy flap door that would sometimes leak and sometimes not leak. The vents with the scoop on the outside don't have this problem. I cpvered the vent with a solid plate till I get a chance to make a scoop for mine.

Perry

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

Where do you buy EPDM in small quantities?

Ask any commercial roofer, they probably will have plenty of small scraps they would be glad to give you. You could also ask a commercial roofing supply for some samples. You only need a 6"x6" piece for each one.

Aaron

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Aage

Here is the culprit you are looking for. There are three on the roof, the one to start with in your case is over the galley.

They look nice, once cleaned and slathered with too much Vulkem.


But you'll be surprised how much guck they can hold. Here is the gasket you will replace:



There is also a small piece of screen in the 'kits' that are sold to do this. Make sure the screen protrudes above the top of the hole, otherwise it can allow leaves and squirrel recycling to plug get into the pipe

It is "not" necessary to seal the metal vent cover.

The gasket takes care of that.

Andy

[perryg114]

The gasket is crap Andy. One made of silicone would be better because it won't rot. Viton might be ok as well. This would work. The best solution would be to weld a top hat shaped pipe nipple on top of the Tee-Pee that fits down inside the vent pipe. Then use caulk to seal the Tee-Pee to the roof.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#5787t33/=rlh7cg

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

The gasket is crap Andy. One made of silicone would be better because it won't rot. Viton might be ok as well. This would work. The best solution would be to weld a top hat shaped pipe nipple on top of the Tee-Pee that fits down inside the vent pipe. Then use caulk to seal the Tee-Pee to the roof.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#5787t33/=rlh7cg

Perry

Perry.

I totally agree with you, but the above photo clearly shows that the gasket did in fact seal the base of the cover so that it did not leak as well.

That being the case, slopping a bunch of sealer around the base of the cover, is not necessary.

Andy

[mariusg78]

Replaced the gasket today. Will update and see if it stops the leak. I think it's supposed to rain this weekend, surprise surprise. Thanks for all the great tips!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Airstream Forums mobile app

[perryg114]

You could be right about the gasket sealing without the caulk around it. I would consider getting some of the silicone material and try that. You could corner the market on it. Your minions could punch a hole in that flat stock and cut it to the correct shape. They use Silicone and Viton on the space station. We did loose a shuttle to the Viton O-rings though.

Perry

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Perry.

I totally agree with you, but the above photo clearly shows that the gasket did in fact seal the base of the cover so that it did not leak as well.

That being the case, slopping a bunch of sealer around the base of the cover, is not necessary.

Andy

[GAStreamin]

Originally Posted by perryg114

VTS has a fully covered vent stack that does not have this problem. I just put some Trempro-635 around that vent pipe and put the Tee-Pee back on and it is still leak free after 2 yrs. I will probably modify the Tee-Pee by putting some sort of top hat on it and then the inner gasket does not matter.

Also it could still be your stove vent. Mine had a crappy flap door that would sometimes leak and sometimes not leak. The vents with the scoop on the outside don't have this problem. I cpvered the vent with a solid plate till I get a chance to make a scoop for mine.

Perry

What are you making all this with? Welding your own metals?

[perryg114]

I have a network of friends that help me make stuff. I can do a fair amount myself. Local welding shops can weld just about anything. Lack of time is my biggest problem. My job gives me access to resources most folks don't have.

Perry