Our first leak

[Steve & Susan]

We were greeted by a damp gaucho and a small puddle on the floor when we opened our AS this weekend. The water was dripping from a seam in the ceiling where the TV antenna crank is located.

We had horrendous rainstorms for three or four days straight (2 inches of rain each day).

I got on the roof and caulked over the radio antenna mount, tv antenna mount and front fantastic fan mount as all three showed signs of cracked caulking.

I am hoping this does the trick, but while I was inspecting these I wondered if the rivets that hold the roof panel to the side panels ever leak and should they be sealed periodically with Acryl-R?

Does anyone have experience with leaky rivets?

[Aage]

Your TT is at about the age where you should have a close look look under the plumbing vents. They seem to go on a regular basis.

I think you will find three of them. New screen (intrusion protection) and caulking is the "ordre du jour".

[Steve & Susan]

Thanks -

I'll be on the roof next week and I'll look at them.

[Aage]

Incidentally, I can't really answer if rivets leak, but while I expect it's possible, there are so many more things on your AS that can leak, I wouldn't worry about rivets till absolute last.

I think you are heading on the right path: seams, accessories mount openings , window frames, screw holes, there are so many things that puncture the skin of your trailer, it appears to be a continual job, keeping up with the leaks.

Hey, your trailer is four years old: mazel tov if this is only its first one!

[Silvertwinkie]

FWIW, I now proactively seek out gaps in the caulk and use Acryl-R. Not sure if we should use Vulkum(sp?) or Silkaflex, but I have a feeling I will soon have a date with my roof. I did inspect it and it's OK, not great, but no leaks yet...knock on wood.

I must say that it is really annoying that after 4 years the gobs of caulk placed on the roof has to be replaced. Seems like a fairly short life to me.

[soldiermedic]

I have tested many Airstreams for leaks, and I have only found 1 or 2 rivets on all of them combined that leaks. Seams, gaskets, etc. That is where I would look.

Steve

[Lily&Me]

Doug recently spent several hours on the roof of our 06 Interstate, repairing/replacing vent items to resolve a leak there---which appears to have been caused at least in part by numerous screw holes being empty while the screws that were supposed to be in those holes were instead in newly created holes NEXT to the original holes. ??? That issue resolved---today's heavy rains resulted in another (recurring) leak into the closet, directly under the vent to the black waste tank. Scraping away all the old caulk around this vent exposed all but one of those 6-7 screws had been tightened to the point that the plastic around was basically shattered. And so---check everything, scrape away all the old caulk to see what is REALLY underneath.

[Steve & Susan]

Thanks for all the tips - sounds like I am gonna be busy before winter!

[Steve & Susan]

OK, still leaking....

I THINK I found the reason, but I need do know if anyone else has experienced this.

Where the TV antenna is mounted to the roof, the amount of caulk that was used is enormous - so much so that it made almost a crater on the antenna mounting plate/flange that holds water when it rains and this water apparently leaks in through the mechanism that rotates the antenna. I used a utility knife and a flat head screwdriver to make a spillway that allows that crater to drain. I used a little Acryl-R to make sure the joint between the antenna mount and the roof was sealed.

Has any one experienced leaks through the antenna? Is there a seal in that rotation mechanism that might have failed?

Thanks!

steve & susan

[ROBERT CROSS]

S&S

Enormous is an understatement, ours has not leaked...yet, but will be re-sealed before Winter storage.

The black tank vent and Fantastic Vent cover have been our only leaks so far, (the vent hinge was overtightened and cracked the cover, replaced by FF no questions, no charge).

This is how we found the black tank vent the first time we went on the roof.

[Whirlaway]

Could someone answer which of the three (3) caulking types is the one to use?

They all seem to seal but when do you use one over the other?

-Roof?
-Around Windows?
-Vents?

Also a safe way to get up on the middle of the roof?

Thanks in advance.

[Rebee]

To get on roof, I use a ladder long enough to rest on awning cover and when stepping on roof stay on the seams. Several 2'X2' pieces of plywood would be good to distribute weight if roof is very soft.
I remove the old caulking with a wood chisle and elbow greese, and an assortment of small backup tools such as small hammer, screwdrivers, putty knife..etc. My caulk of choice is the self leveling exterior calk from Camping World. I like it because it will level out enough to prevent water build up next to the fixture.
This system works for me.

[Whirlaway]

Originally Posted by Rebee

To get on roof, I use a ladder long enough to rest on awning cover and when stepping on roof stay on the seams. Several 2'X2' pieces of plywood would be good to distribute weight if roof is very soft.
I remove the old caulking with a wood chisle and elbow greese, and an assortment of small backup tools such as small hammer, screwdrivers, putty knife..etc. My caulk of choice is the self leveling exterior calk from Camping World. I like it because it will level out enough to prevent water build up next to the fixture.
This system works for me.

Excellent! Thank you.

[Melody Ranch]

It drives me absolutely berserk to picture someone on the side, or roof, of an Airstream removing caulk with a hammer, wood chisel and screwdriver.

[safari 28]

I have a 04 28 and I had a small amount of water coming down by the system read out inidicator near the sink. I resealed the skylight and both fantastic fans and its been perfect for over 1 year. good luck.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

It drives me absolutely berserk to picture someone on the side, or roof, of an Airstream removing caulk with a hammer, wood chisel and screwdriver.

ME TOO...

Plastic scrapper, paint stirring sticks, mineral spirits. Lots of rags...

[Rebee]

I try to work with as few toxic chemicals as possible. I do not need them on my skin, in my face or in my lungs. I do use a bathroom cleaner to remove the mildew. I just completed the renewal of all sealed fixtures this week.
Like I said "works for me", walk the path you need to walk.

[Steve & Susan]

OK, I found it - not the antenna after all - it is the skylight. The cover is cracked in several places where it is screwed into the skylight proper. The caulking isn't complete under those screws and the combination is letting water in.

I fear that removing the cover may break it so I'm gonna order a new one and just replace it being very careful not to overtighten the screws. I moght get a replacement for the other skylight while I'm at it just in case.

Here's a question - how does one get the wet insulation between the two aluminum skins to dry after a leak? Is there a trick, or just let a few sunny days take care of it. I think if I leave the cover plates on the inside of the trailer off for a while, the insulation will be exposed and might dry better than if the cover plates are attached. Any ideas?

[SilverCottage]

Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Could someone answer which of the three (3) caulking types is the one to use?

They all seem to seal but when do you use one over the other?

-Roof?
-Around Windows?
-Vents?

Also a safe way to get up on the middle of the roof?

Thanks in advance.

On the roof the repair shop at Jackson Center is using the Bostik 1100. Check around and you can find it for about $5 a tube rather than the $14 I paid there last week

Acryl-R is used on all the seams.