I've searched the forum and found many threads about leaking problems, but I could not find one similar to my situation.
We had a severe thunderstorm yesterday. After it passed I went into my trailer to check for leaks, and I was relieved to see none - until later that day . There is now a brown-like substance that has dripped down from where the seams from the wallpaper/covering meet (original wall covering from '69 Safari 23'). There was only one drip right next the kitchen window (street side). I opened the window and it was completely dry on the sill. Next day I find a couple more drips down the same seem (now further from the window and closer to the range hood (same street side). Nothing else is wet, just these brown drips seeping from the wallpaper/covering. Where could the water be coming from?
There is no easy answer to your question. No two trailers will leak in the same place. Also the leak could be coming from some far distant place and running down to the spot you see it inside. First of all, you should check out the roof of your trailer. Remember when putting a ladder up to it, put some padding to keep it from scratching. Also only put weight on the rivet lines on your roof. Take a close look at what goes thru the skin of your trailer. Is there an antenna? Check the range exhaust, the frig exhaust. Then look at the seams, the windows, whatever you see that could need caulking. Get the right caulk, like Parbond or Vulken, (may be spelled wrong). Don't just go get some house caulk and start in. Some others on here will have more suggestions. You can find your leak, it may take some detective work, but you can find it.
My plumbing vent is in that area and it leaks. There's a rubber seal in that vent that needs to be replaced every-so-often. Like Juel said, the leak could be coming from further up the roof line and is running down the roof line to the window area. The center vent is also an area of concern. On the '70's model trailers, the seal on the roof side of the vent also wears out and needs to be replaced. Since the drip occured long after the rain stopped, it makes me think that possibly rain is pooling somewhere (like behind the wall skins) and leaking after the trailer is moved (like when you walk around in it).
One way to try to find the leak is to get a hose and slowly work your way up the side of the trailer until you find a leak inside. Then look for any opening first from the outside that didn't seem obvious at first. Window seals and so forth.
Good luck with it.
Jim
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I had a leak in almost the same area as in the original post. It only took a few minutes for it to show up with the hose method. My vent for the range hood was the problem. I had to remove the fan and vent from the outside and seal the unit.
A clue is the color of the water, brown. which means the leak probably is not close to where you found it. The water has come in and run along the inside cavity picking up dirt, dust, insulation and what ever and finally found a soft spot to come out. Secondly the leak is probably more than what you think it is, sorry. If the water did not dissipate in the time it found a place to come out it definitely needs attention. I agree it will take a look at the roof. Check everywhere that one piece of metal meets another piece. Look down all your seams and flashing around the vents, TV antenna and refrigerator exhaust. Best idea is to do a re- caulk on these areas- no silicone caulk get Vulken which you can find at Vintage Trailer Supply :http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/...Code=VTS%2D190 or any AS dealer. Follow the directions on the tube. You may never find the leak but the re-caulk will do the job.
Good luck to you.
As Jim spoke about the water hose test is great. We had a leak around our front window, what we thought. But is was coming from the belly pan seem. Each time we thought we had found it and sealed as soon as it rained we had water again. After we did the water hose trick we found it quickly. And yes water will travel. Having the brown color like the chaplain quoted it is going thru something our a/c shroud leaks and we have a brown color stain on our carpet from a leak I'm sure when it leaks thru the air unit it's going thru some kind of rust?
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- until later that day
. There is now a brown-like substance that has dripped down from where the seams from the wallpaper/covering meet (original wall covering from '69 Safari 23'). There was only one drip right next the kitchen window (street side). I opened the window and it was completely dry on the sill. Next day I find a couple more drips down the same seem (now further from the window and closer to the range hood (same street side). Nothing else is wet, just these brown drips seeping from the wallpaper/covering. Where could the water be coming from?
and seal the unit.
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