We have just come back from a lovely 10 days on a great C&CC CS in Manorbier near Tenby. (review submitted). However, on one day we had some real downpours and a drip started from above the front centre window of our van. I have suspected for some time that all was not 100% in that area, although we have had no problems until now. I have nowhere to carry out the necessary work, and I'm no longer fit enough to do it anyway, so we may have to start looking for another C old C. It would not be economically viable to have ours professionally repaired. Oh well, it has served us well for 4 years so I consider it was £500 well spent.
It may be worth at least doing a damp check on the rest of the caravan first and then getting a quote for the repair then make your final decision afterwards on the results.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 14/7/2017
It may be worth at least doing a damp check on the rest of the caravan first and then getting a quote for the repair then make your final decision afterwards on the results.
I think that in view of the fact that the caravan is nearly 30 years old, any professional repair is going to cost way more than the van is worth. It's a great shame, as we really like it, and it suits us perfectly. In my younger days I would have fixed it myself, but sadly various health problems prohibit that now.
As Tango says, definitely worth an estimate.
If it has just started to drip, a mastic squeeze with an extruder gun might fix sufficiently to carry on. In any case, a handy DIY could slide out windows, remove rail, clean off old mastic, insert new strip and screw it together in a couple of hours.
Do you want a link for how to do it?
Quote: Originally posted by oxter on 15/7/2017
As Tango says, definitely worth an estimate.
If it has just started to drip, a mastic squeeze with an extruder gun might fix sufficiently to carry on. In any case, a handy DIY could slide out windows, remove rail, clean off old mastic, insert new strip and screw it together in a couple of hours.
Do you want a link for how to do it?
Thanks Oxter, but I think the problem may be a lot more than that. I am (or was) fairly handy at DIY, and I have carried out a close examination of the problem. It seems there may be quite a lot of major wood replacement required, particularly above and around the front windows. The windows themselves aren't leaking, it's coming from above. I did replace two of the front windows soon after we bought the van. We will probably be able to manage for the rest of this year, but I do think it's about time to look for a replacement.
Probably coming in through a screw hole on the aluminium hanging rail above the windows. Fix as above.
Why replace timbers etc if it hasn't bothered you up till now? It should eventually dry out once the leak is stopped. Any stains can be covered with emulsion paint. On an old van it won't matter.
PU sealant is your friend. Clean rails with meths & gunge plenty of PU sealant along tops of them. Do this on a dry warm morning. Don't matter about the rotten wood. As long as you stop the water coming in you will get another few yr's out of it.
The problem I am faced with is that if I tried to take out any of the screws, there is probably little or no wood behind to screw them back into. I fitted a new curtain rail late last year, and many of the screws I used went into nothing! I had to drill several holes to get screws to grip. That's how I first realised I had a problem, long before the leak started. I am therefore very reluctant to disturb anything in case I am unable to re-fix it. Lots of sealant has already been used by a previous owner, very untidily, but as there were no apparent leaks and no obvious signs of damp internally, I bought the van on the presumption that I would probably get a couple of years use out of it. I have had four so far, so I consider I have already had more than my £500's worth. If I had a barn to work in, and was fit & well and 20 years younger, I wouldn't hesitate to carry out the necessary repairs, but none of that is the case unfortunately.
I fully realise that buying another oldie is a big risk, but I am a very careful buyer and am aware that "cheapies" can have a limited life left, but I may well go down that route very late in the year. So far this year we have enjoyed 10 days in south Wales, and have just spent a weekend in Norfolk. We have more time away planned this year, and may well try and sell as "spares or repair" when when our season ends. We are keeping all our options open.
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Topic: Days may be numbered!
