Message Forums

just started repairs to front panel (around window) and have hit a snag. below the window there is a 4 inch section that is boxed out away from the outer metal sheet (if i can work out how to add photos i can post them for further clarity). the timber is definately rotten around the window frame at the corners but i cannot tell if this runs behind the boxing out, should i remove and investigate or leave as is and repair what i know is rotten? any advice greatly welcomed.

thanks Paul

Hi Paul can you post some pictures .

atb

Wizard

http://s976.photobucket.com/albums/ae245/adeandpaul/caravan%20damp%20repairs/

hope this has worked if not i can send pics to email address

Hi Paul i would remove the wood ( red area ) , looking at your pictures i wouldn't think much below there has been affected . The blue area , depending on weather it's completely rotted , i would try drying it out and treating with Ronseal wood hardener , or if it's rotted will need replacing ( apply the same to the other side ) . Most of the other timbers in your pictures look wet and you may be able to dry them out ( but it's hard to tell from pictures if they are begining to breakup , so you'll need to decide weather to replace or not ) . 

Hope this is helpful .

atb

Wizard   

I have had to take the bottom stud work out to get at the rotten timbers behind the corners of the caravan (just to the left of the blue marked area on Wizards reply). I am now ready to start rebuilding and have decided to box out the bottom all the way across the front of the caravan before tackling higher up (hopefully to retain some strength in the front panel)

I have pinched the shopping list of materials from Alan Parkers site on the fixed it club web site (very very very useful website) but my only query is what glue should i use for the polystyrene ( i have heard some types will melt it)

but my only query is what glue should i use for the polystyrene .
Tigerseal ( can be found on ebay ) , Sikaflex 512 caravan mastic ( can be found at most caravan shops , but not cheap ), Evogrip non solvent type ( can be found at B and Q ) .

Remember to do zig zag lines of mastic on the back of the polystyrene and not circles, as circles will stop the mastic curing properly .

atb

Wizard