Hi first post. I have had this van for a little over a year and been everywhere home and abroad with it, so a good van .... However ...
I have found that my 2008 Fleetwood has leaked for many years if the wall and floor stains are anything to go by! Main cause of van leaks? AWNING RAILS! Chuck them away, buy plastic cills from any DIY shop or double glazer (L shape) and fix to roof with the lip over and down the side. Use plenty of mastic and tape to seal the thing and use Stainless screws. From same source. This apples to the cross members on the roof sealing? the front and rear plastic panels to the alloy sheet roof. CURED! Buy a new plastic awning rail and attach.
I have cured most of the user caused type leaks, you know bodged water pipes, leaking water heater etc. Thought we would re-wallpaper to smarten it up a bit.. wow not good!!
The awning rails on both sides were not sealed, the window seals were poor, rear light leaking into caravan, external toilet door leaking, floor rotten (and missing) under the main door. etc etc etc.
Stripped out the insides and are in the process of replacing and or drying out the woodwork and replacing the rotten stuff. (Not much thankfully). Floor, although damp at the back (50%) is slowly drying (Humidifier, B&Q £80.00)to buy, to hire one £85.00 PW)local hire co, B&Q one makes a good air conditioner too for the summer.
Will let you know what happens!! and thanks for all then tips onn this site good stuff.
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have never been stuck for a job that wants doing.
Well done for your hard work, determination and stamina. I'm sure that you are past the worst and soon you will be able to sit back, relax and admire your handywork. Thanks for posting, it gives others the courage and conviction to do the same.
Dave
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Anyone want to see the pics I took of the walls and floor of the Fleetwood BEFORE repair .... and the nearly finished one AFTER ... er ther latest is slightly more ...better looking and safer!!
oh, added to last post if you redecorate don't use Vynal wallpaper, 'cos if you aquire a lesak of any sorts you won't know about it untill your van sans wallpaper looks like mine ... scarey!!
Good evening all,
First post here too. I too have started on the damp wall of my 1994 clubman today. Hearing what everyone else has been doing has been invaluable (I have been stalking this site for a while).
My entire van has been checked and it appears the only issue is one side under the awning rail which has been letting water in, luckily it appears I have caught it relatively early, so have decided to tackle it head on.
I've removed, cleaned and re-mastic the area as well as the entire front of the van. I plan to do the rest of the van when the warmer weather arrives again next year.
Having now sealed the outside I am about to tackle the inside. Dried out and ready to cut and install ply wall tomorrow.
What brought me here was the wallpapering issue... do I PVA the new ply first before papering as standard?
I'd love to see the pics of your van.
hi pics of my van are on my profile as I didn't know how to upload to the general site ...if you have email i'd happily send you them! Cheers best of luck ... ps DON'T use vynal wallpaper or PVA glue .. there is no need because if you get another leak you won't know, it will just get stuck between ally outer wall and wood interior ... and rot the wood. If the wallpaper falls off it means a leak .. better than a rotten caravan!!
------------- bikers buy vans to annoy car drivers
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Topic: water leaks
I'm sure that you are past the worst and soon you will be able to sit back, relax and admire your handywork. Thanks for posting, it gives others the courage and conviction to do the same.
