DAMN - Big Leak

[IanC]

Opened a cabinet just now and I have a big leak - like a steady drip, drip drip leak. The dishes inside were full of water.  I thought having gone through some big storms without a leak I was safe, but with a steady rain going on right now, this is a problem of big proportions. It's not even close to the vent or where the solar is mounted, so who knows where it's running from. The whole ceiling could be full of water for all I know..

 

[Queen]

That blows! Hope you can pinpoint the source without tearing up a bunch of things.

 

[ArtW]

Crap

 

[IanC]

There's a seam that runs around the top of the roof - I think that might be the origin. I'm going to run into town and see what they have for hardware stores (this is a pretty small town). Anyone have a suggestion of what commonly available caulk I could use to seal the seam. Hope is stops raining soon so it can dry out.

 

[DuneElliot]

It seems it's that time of year...going through something similar but not on the roof...plenty of interior leaks to be dealing with :-(

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

There's a seam that runs around the top of the roof - I think that might be the origin. I'm going to run into town and see what they have for hardware stores (this is a pretty small town).  Anyone have a suggestion of what commonly available caulk I could use to seal the seam.  Hope is stops raining soon so it can dry out.

DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH SILICONE!  Not only will it not last, it will make it impossible for anything else to stick in the future.

 

[ArtW]

RV caulk, if they have it

 

[rvwandering]

Oh man, hope it doesn't ruin anything on your beautiful build!

Caulk will not stick or cure properly in the rain or even if it's really humid.

Duck tape works surprisingly well for an emergency, almost watertight patch. Or just tarp the entire roof until you can patch it right.

 

[Gary68]

geocell is what was recommended to me and the areas i used it before winter have held up good
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pro-Flex...6876&wl11=online&wl12=218162397&wl13=&veh=sem

it also works on wet surfaces

 

[SternWake]

I'd tarp it for now and order some eternabond tape and a J roller, and get some mineral spirits or laquer thinner for proper prepping of surface for the eternabond tape.

https://www.eternabond.com/

 

[DuneElliot]

DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH SILICONE!  Not only will it not last, it will make it impossible for anything else to stick in the future.

One of the first mistakes I ever made...when I didn't know any better. :-/

 

[IanC]

Well, I found a Tractor Supply and bought some tubes of construction adhesive and a spatula. Thinking of cutting open the tubes and applying it with the spatula along the seams, but reading the comments, I think I might go with the duct tape until I can do it the right way. I'm pretty sure the leak was right above the drip because when I throw a rug over that area it stopped, so this might not be as bad a I thought. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[BradKW]

I''d definitely suggest getting some Eternabond leak repair tape...good thing for anybody living in a mobile house to have on hand.

 

[IanC]

I''d definitely suggest getting some Eternabond leak repair tape...good thing for anybody living in a mobile house to have on hand.

Is that something you'd get at an RV store? Shipping is an issue since I only get mail forwarded every 6 weeks or so.

I looked at the As Seen on TV spray rubber seal but that's probably just latex, right?

 

[DuneElliot]

Is that something you'd get at an RV store? Shipping is an issue since I only get mail forwarded every 6 weeks or so.

I looked at the As Seen on TV spray rubber seal but that's probably just latex, right?

Doesn't work either....tried it on some tiny holes in a wall

 

[Ballenxj]

DO NOT USE ANYTHING WITH SILICONE!  Not only will it not last, it will make it impossible for anything else to stick in the future.

Good to know. I might have made that mistake if my roof leaked. 
IanC, I hope you get it figured out. That's got to be disheartening.

 

[bullfrog]

Just out of curiosity it isn't a Cargomate is it?

 

[BradKW]

Not sure, never been in an RV store tbh. I would think Amazon shipped to general delivery at nearest post office would be an easy solution, I see many people do it. Might be best to inquire to make sure said PO accepts general deliveries, and how long they hold them. But with Amazon shipping, tracking and push notifications to phone, would think it's work out fine...

 

[IanC]

Just out of curiosity it isn't a Cargomate is it?

Wells Cargo

 

[hepcat]

And if you think you know where it's leaking and you don't have a tarp, a plastic grocery bag over that area will usually work. setting something heavy(ish) will keep it in place 'til you can figure it out. I had a Scamp 16 years ago and the silicone caulk let go on the screws that held it down in the middle of the night in a gully washer. A well-placed plastic grocery bag covering the screws that were leaking saved the night.