Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints

AVOID COSTLY WATER DAMAGE
Campers Monthly, Northeast Region  April 2001

There are no maintenance-free RVs.  Regardless of the brand, the number one enemy of any RV is water damage.  It poses the most serious threat to the value of your RV and many RV owners are unaware of the maintenance requirements necessary to prevent damage from occurring.

Following are simple guidelines which will help you prevent damage, or at least catch problems before they get serious and expensive.  With just a little effort, you can help ensure years of trouble-free RV fun.

Here’s a list of some things you can do:

·         Walk around the exterior and check the roof.  Carefully look at all sealants.  Be sure to pay special attention to the water run-off paths on your RV.

·         Check all windows, doors, moldings and trim.  Closely inspect roof sealants around vents, antennas, roof racks, ladders and edges.  Pay special attention to transition sealants where the front and rear attach to the roof.

·         Touch and feel all the sealants if you can.  They should be soft and flexible, not brittle and hard.  Look for signs of drying or cracking sealant material.

·         Check for any visible voids in the sealant material.  Look for any signs of brown or rusty colored residue.

·         Pull off the vinyl screw cover and check for any rusted screws.

·         On hardwall RVs, look down the sidewalls for any signs of bubbles, soft spots, or delamination, especially under windows or compartment doors.

·         Check the interior.  Look for signs of water:  water tracks; puddles on fabrics, mattresses or drapes; gray, discolored sections of vinyl floor covering.  Pay special attention to the under mattress area in the cabover of class C motorhomes; the front windows; the counter under the stove exhaust vent, and the outside compartments.

·         Use your nose.  Any sign of mildewy smell indicates water damage.  Don’t stop looking until you find the source of the smell.

·         Check around roof vents and interior ceiling for any sign of water.  Wavy, soft, or rippled ceilings usually mean water damage.

·         Check the floor closely.  Look for soft spots or discoloration.  Check the doorway, door jam and outside compartments with a sharp eye.

·         On hardwall RVs, check interior wall board under windows for signs of water, “pimpling,” or discoloration.

·         Check all windows to be sure the drain vents are clear and working.  Most windows are designed to allow some water to flow in and channel out through these vents.  Be sure the drain path is clear.

·         Be observant.  Whenever you are in or around your RV, look for signs of any kind of problem and take action if any are found.  All of the above are indications of some water damage.  If you suspect water is getting in, GET YOUR RV CHECKED!  Don’t wait for a problem to get more serious and costly.  Fix it now!

For more information, read your owner’s manual.  Know what the manufacturer requires.

Even with regular sealant checks, water leaks may still occur.  A sealant check is no guarantee you will never have a leak.  It is only a means to identify and address existing and potential problems before serious damage occurs.  Completion of regular sealant checks will significantly reduce your changes of incurring expensive water damage in your RV.