wet floor at door

jim.bailey@e · 08-23-2006, 11:25 AM

I have a 1972 31' Airstream, rear bath. Water is seeping up from the sub floor just in front of the entry door. It is not a lot of water; over a recent 12 day stay, the wet place on the floor increased from a 6" spot in the middle of the door entry way to a wet spot about 24" by 24" in the doorway entry. I checked: the supply pipes for the kitchen sink, the drains and the Dometic two door ref.. I can find NO SOURCE for the water!! Can anone help?

Jim

**CanoeStream** · 08-23-2006, 11:35 AM

How much rainy weather did you have over this period? Was your awning deployed? If so, it might have come between the skins from a distance up on top. Maybe A/C sealing, maybe a roof vent that is not well sealed.

Again, what was the rain situation?

jim.bailey@e · 08-23-2006, 12:35 PM

We have had a record drought year; no rain since early June!!

I think the water is coming from a Airstream system source, but I can't find it.

Thanks for your thoughts.
Jim

**CanoeStream** · 08-23-2006, 01:41 PM

Virginia, eh? What appliances are close by? Fridge? 30 amp campground power probably allowed you to run your A/C. Right? It could be condensation from either of those sources not going the right direction. The A/C drain might be plugged -- and it really could end up this far from the source!

Let's see what other readers might say as Forums activity heats up later this afternoon and evening.

jim.bailey@e · 08-23-2006, 02:32 PM

I checked the Fridge for defrost water & this is not the source. The A/c was not on at all during the 12 days (W Va. Pan handle mountains no need).

thanks

Jim

SafeHarbor · 08-23-2006, 08:38 PM

Well, in the old no-fun thoughts, that might leave... tanks, water heater, and shower plumbing. If you deliberately raise the nose, does it go away? Okay, that might take several days to determine.

And this is assuming that it really is seeping UP.

Anyway, the bellies are not designed to be water tight. I'd think anything soaking the underfloor insulation would rather leak OUT than leak UP. Have you scooted around under the trailer looking?

Lamar

Pahaska · 08-23-2006, 08:46 PM

Is your galley on that side of the trailer? My trailer is newer, but I have had a lot of trouble with the joints on the traps under the sink coming loose. Our first clue was finding some water in a pan that was stored under the sink.

I believe the trap joints become loose from temperature changes. I tighten them as tight as my arthritic hands allow and they will be loose again a couple of trips later.

peegreen · 08-23-2006, 09:12 PM

Turn off the city water supply and turn on the water pump. Does the pump intermittently cycle?

GT1963 · 08-23-2006, 10:12 PM

I think it might be either your pump or a small leak in one of your pipes. If you are not perfectly level side to side a small trickle can easily "wrap" around the front inner skin and settle at the door.

You have had no rain so that eliminates any outside leaking.

The AC is a good one but if you are not running that then that is eliminated.

Fridge is out - check all the water heater connections including your pressure valve.

Check all the on/off valves and the old city water regulator for slow leaks.

Last would be your fresh water tank - if up front that could be a good source for a leak.

That is all I can think of....Good luck.

jim.bailey@e · 08-24-2006, 01:23 PM

Thanks to all for several good ideas for me to check. We will be staying in it over Labor day & after. I will report if problem is solved.

Jim & Betty

jim.bailey@e · 08-28-2006, 02:51 PM

I am going to my A/S Labor day. Thanks for the wet floor ideas. Any new ones?

Thanks

Jim

**john hd** · 08-28-2006, 03:49 PM

jim

i think all the ideas suggested are good ones, if i remember correctly your kitchen and water pump are next to the door on the left as you enter.

i would start there if you have had no rain. otherwise, the door gasket would be number one on my list!

john

jim.bailey@e · 09-06-2006, 10:57 AM

Thanks to all for help. Betty found the leak in a drain joint at the wheel well. It was leaking at the back of the joint & dropping on to the seam of the wheel well & NOT on to the shelf. The seam carried the water to the underfloor & it seeped out at floor at the door. She fixed it with epoxey putty for plastic. Very easy fix!! Esp. since I didn't have to do it!

Best Wishes

Jim & Betty

steelbird312 · 09-06-2006, 02:06 PM

Jim,
Although Betty had the very best of intentions, I would not trust the repair as far as I could throw it. The movement that items experience while you are driving (towing) and the fact that epoxies, glue, etc just has a bad habit of not adhering well or permanently to water pipes, both metal or plastic would cause me to take a couple of hours and $5 spent at Home Depot and fix it right. It is so much easier than chasing it down two or three times, or even worse, thinking it is fixed and rotting a hole in the subfloor, only to find it later.