Pipe vent covers storing water... should I worry?

[ronstory]

While I was working on the roof of the 75 Safari, I notice that there was a bit of rain pooling inside the vent cover, caught above the rubber gasket but below the level of the pipe.

If you look at the pic below, you can the aluminum vent covers don't have a drain hole to let the rain drain that did not hit inside the actual pipe. It caught between the vent cover and rubber gasket but below the top of the actual drain pipe.



Should I worry about the water sitting, since IMHO water always seems to find a way to escape where you don't want to go?

Should I drill a 1/4" hole in the side to keep the level down?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ronstory

While I was working on the roof of the 75 Safari, I notice that there was a bit of rain pooling inside the vent cover, caught above the rubber gasket but below the level of the pipe.

If you look at the pic below, you can the aluminum vent covers don't have a drain hole to let the rain drain that did not hit inside the actual pipe. It caught between the vent cover and rubber gasket but below the top of the actual drain pipe.



Should I worry about the water sitting, since IMHO water always seems to find a way to escape where you don't want to go?

Should I drill a 1/4" hole in the side to keep the level down?

Please be advised that you have used one of our photo's, without our permission.

Photo's do not always show every single piece of information.

The statement you have made, that those covers do not have drain holes, is "FALSE".

The photo in our web site was taken at a different angle.

Please look at the following attached photo that "clearly" show the two drain holes.

The design of the sewer vent pipe cover dictates that the drain holes will be on the bottom.

In the future, if you wish to publish "any" photo's that we may have on our web site, please at least ask for permission, first.

Andy

[Inland RV Center, In]

A better view, taken with a flash.

CLICK on the phot for an enlarged view.

Andy

[clancy_boy]

In other words ronstory, you or the previous owner may have incorrectly installed the vent cover with the drain holes in the wrong direction. Look at your existing covers and see if there are holes as indicated in the above posts and then remount them. If no holes exist then drill new holes. Check to insure that the sealant has not plugged the holes. What an excellent time to check you screens, BTW they are just normal screen material you can buy at the hardware store, and gaskets, BTW it's just normal rubber gasket material you can buy at the hardware store and cut yourself. YOU CAN buy some of these items from a commercial vendor here but I would look at Vintage Trailer Supply as an option FIRST.

Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

Mike

[Inland RV Center, In]

A company must be an Airstream dealer or a Service Center, in order to purchase any and all materials, from the factory.

Those that are not associated with Airstream, can buy parts from a dealer, and in turn, sell them to the public, or pay retail if they are at Jackson Center.

This usually results in higher prices, and no backed up factory warranty since the end purchaser is second in line.

A good Airstream parts dealer, will have hundreds, if not thousands such as we do, of Airstream parts in stock, and not just a handful.

Andy

[purman]

UUMM, plus Vintage trail doesn't sell those type of vents covers,,, Just plastic painted ones... I looked at them and opted to get a polished aluminum one from Andy....

[HiHoAgRV]

My '77 had the same issue, no drain holes. I used a grinder to make a small slot at the bottom so they won't hold water

[ronstory]

Andy--

Apologies...

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by ronstory

Andy--

Apologies...

Accepted.

Andy

[ronstory]

Sorry... premature return.

Andy--

Apologies... I got the pic from a previous thread http://www.airforums.com/forums/f478...ers-45210.html and did not realize that it was from your site. You may want consider watermarking the photos to help avoid a misunderstanding in the future. Next time I'll just take my own... but mislayed my camera cable.

Mike--

My vents are little bit different than the photo posted by Andy. The mounting holes are recessed into the wall with an end mill and then drilled. After digging into the sealant in the recessed wall, there is a drain hole in it. One of earlier POs went nuts with Dicor and then later one hit it will Silicone as well.

I'll know pull the vents off and get new rubber gaskets and screen (mine have no screen now). The question is what sealant should I use with the rubber gasket? Vulkem? Just a touch on mating surfaces or cover the rubber gasket like the previous owner, but leave the drain holes clear?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Ron.

Clean the surface and use Vulkem.

Put the screening on first.

Next slide the gasket over the screen and pipe.

Apply Vulkem starting at the center hole in the gasket, forcing it through the screening, and onto the black pipe.

That will give you an absolute positive seal.

After reinstalling the cover, add a bead of Vulkem to the top and both sides of the cover.

Do not use any Vulkem on the bottom side of the cover.

Make sure whatever cover you use, that it has the drain holes at the bottom side, the side closest to the ground.

Andy

[ronstory]

Andy--

Thanks

[ronstory]

Andy--

Ok... that's the 2nd time today I got a premature <RETURN>.

Thank-you for the detailed instructions and I'll be calling this week to buy the package. I realize I could make it up from a big box store... but I need gaskets for all the windows in the RV anyways.