Leaking Roof Vent

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Yep, the roof vent leaked a little tonight.&nbsp; It's just a few small drops - maybe a dozen during an hour long heavy rain.&nbsp; Nonetheless, it will have to be repaired.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Question:&nbsp; For those of you who had to repair a roof vent leak did you just add more sealent?&nbsp; If so, did it work?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I may end up pulling the fan assembly out, installing a new gasket, and completely reseal it.&nbsp; </p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I bought the grey sealent from an RV dealer who said it's better than the self leveling stuff.&nbsp; The only problem is that it looks like it's shrinking and pulling away.&nbsp; So, did you guys use self-leveling or just a good quality RV sealent?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Any other tips?</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>VT</p>

 

[Ricekila]

I would think - do it right now - not at the last minute - summer is coming <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/cool.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>Pull the fan - if you cant get the correct gasket from the manufacturer - get some sheet material from a auto / camper repair house and use G-E 20 year silicone sealant from Home Depot on both sides of the screw heads <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>Photo's ?&nbsp;<IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Thanks for the info... I will look for the 20 year GE silicone&nbsp;sealent.&nbsp; I agree with you - pulling it is the best option.&nbsp; In the meantime, a gasket will be ordered ASAP.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Ricekila]

I would get 2 - ya never know <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br><br>I like spares <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0><br>

 

[Ricekila]

<P>PS -- When you pull the vent -- scotch-brite around the opening -- give the sealant some tooth <IMG src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" align=absMiddle border=0></P>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;"><img style="width: 139px; height: 98px;" border="0" hspace="0" alt="" align="baseline" src="http://www.infamouskidd.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/superman-logo.jpg" width="577" height="621"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">SUPER ADVICE!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thank you!</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[Les H]

Even better than 20 yr silicone, is the Gutter and Flashing Sealant , also sold in Home Depot, near the gutters, downspouts and shingles. Made for metal and plastic, 50 yr warranty, grey , paintable ( silicone is not) but pricey at $8/ tube. Stickey, gooey stuff, does not come off anything easy, including your hands, so wear latex gloves if you are sensitive. I used it around my roof hatch, and to help seal several holes left from removing the roof antenna mounts on the bus. Also works great for house gutters and flashing.....

 

[karl]

What Les said +1, or butyl which never hardens completely....also real messy. Butyl tape is more user friendly- do the job on a warm day, tighten down the screws a little at a time to compress the tape....<br>Agree with remove, clean well, reinstall with sealant between parts, not just slobbered around the seams. <br><br>edit- are you sure the leak is where the unit mounts to the van, or is the seal on the vent lid not sealing? If it is the lid-self adhesive foam weatherstrip from HD can cure that....<br>

 

[blars]

My bathroom vent had a crack in it, then half of it broke off.&nbsp; The replacement lid was only about $14 and was an easy job.<br><br><br>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Hopefully it's fixed now.&nbsp; I had used butyl tape and upon re-inspection, it looked like I had done a pretty good!&nbsp; Due to a mobility problem,&nbsp;it was difficult to&nbsp;reach some of the screws to tighten and caulk them.&nbsp; I found several loose screws toward the back;&nbsp;one of them had not being caulked at all.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I stripped the caulk off, re-torqued, and then used a "semi self-leveling" sealent from Home Depot.&nbsp; Looks great.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">One interesting thing... I had noticed the lid didn't open and close easily.&nbsp; It was binding.&nbsp; Upon inspection, I discovered a little booger of caulk on the plastic lid&nbsp;that made it chatter.&nbsp;&nbsp;After cleaning the lid, it opens and closes much better.&nbsp; That was worth the work.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">On the downside, this evening&nbsp;I was most of the way up the step ladder (which was in horrible condition).&nbsp; It suddenly collapsed (right leg buckled) throwing me against the van and to the ground.&nbsp; No harm done - just a real fast drop.&nbsp;&nbsp;I laughed until&nbsp;remembering that 82&nbsp;year old Dad&nbsp;had been using the ladder recently.&nbsp; I bought a new one immediately!&nbsp; The fall didn't hurt me but could have been very dangerous for Dad!</p>

 

[Cherry]

Here's a great post from a blog I follow on how to replace roof vents (with pictures) http://mylifeinavan.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/replacing-the-vents/<br>

 

[royalsmith]

Hi,<br>Selleys Roof or Gutter silicone is also a good option for your solution .This silicone is non acid and suitable for rainy season.It is available in market in different range and colors.<br><br>

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>VanTrekker, I've installed 4 so far, &amp; all I've ever used was that putty-tape. So far, I've never had a leak, knock on wood!</strong></span><br><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>I expect to be doing a vent-fan replacement this summer, replacing that puny little factory-installed bathroom vent fan, with a FanTastic. Would have done it already, but as U know, they're kinda pricey, &amp; I haven't been able to swing one yet.</strong></span>&nbsp;<br><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Glad U &amp; especially your Dad weren't hurt by that treacherous ladder!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></strong></span>

 

[VanTrekker]

Hi Sir Joey,<br><br>I used the putty tape on the initial install and have been very happy with it.&nbsp; I did that last repair 10 months ago and so far, no leaks!<br><br>I love the Fantastic vent.&nbsp; It's a well-built product and that motor is pretty tough.&nbsp; I think you'll be happy with it.&nbsp; My favorite feature is the rain sensor.&nbsp; That's a must in Iowa during March - June as well as some of the fall months.&nbsp; It's saved my butt several times (the laptop sits under the vent!)&nbsp; The only gripe is that it sometimes the moisture sensor closes the ven when&nbsp;the weather is&nbsp;a little foggy... but you can override it.<br><br>Take care.<br><br>Brad<br><br>

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Hey VT, yeah, I know I'm gonna love the Fantastic, cuz I already installed one as part of my little cargo trailer conversion, complete with vent cover, which is a very worthwhile addition, enabling one to not only leave the vent open during the rain, but even while traveling! (As I'm sure U know&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">) Plus, I had a slide-in truck camper which had one installed from the factory. That was actually my first one, &amp; from that moment on, I was SOLD!&nbsp;<br><br>Somebody here on the forum had one for sale just a couple months ago. I need one, &amp; wanted it badly, but unfortunately, I just couldn't spare the money, even though the price was good, so now, I'll prolly end up paying full price for a new one.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>Anyway, I plan on installing BOTH, the fan AND the vent cover on this thing, hopefully before the scorching SC summer heat arrives!<br><br></strong></span>

 

[Cubey]

Yep, you can't beat butyl tape. That and self leveling caulking made and sold for RVs.<br><br>I had a new 9x9 mini roof vent installed on mine at an RV shop. I wanted a 14x14 but they wouldn't cut the hole bigger to install one so I had them just put a new 9x9 one. The old one had a pull chain, the screen was damage and it didn't seal real well anymore The new one has a twist/turn handle and closes/sealed very well.