Dampness project - Roof first

[robnchris]

Well you have certainly made a good job so far of repairing those leaking areas, re the back seals I would use Hodgson Seamseal CV, a non drying bedding sealant, this has a flexibility that will keep a seal.

Good luck.

 

[DJL220]

Which suggests that it wasn't properly sealed at the build stage. Very poor indeed.

If you fill the gaps with Sikaflex now, it will be a bu@@er to remove when you are ready to do the work, as it will have cured, and will need to be dug out. A lengthy task from my experience.
You might be better off using W4 mastic sealant tape, (I always carry a roll) which will be easier to remove/replace when you come to do the work.

You are doing a great job, and I wish you continued good luck with it.

Cheers,

Jock.

Cheers Jock, I think I might have this one covered
Might just have enough

 

[Just smiffy]

There is no sealant to clear out, just rotten wood
I guess as a temporary measure I could apply some sika until I can arrange a covered workspace to fix the next dampness issue.

Oops.... as JockandRita said, in that case.... it seems that you have bought a vocation rather then a vocational vehicle...

I hope it’s worth it and you end up with a great van...??

 

[HandyAndy]

There is no sealant to clear out, just rotten wood
I guess as a temporary measure I could apply some sika until I can arrange a covered workspace to fix the next dampness issue.

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[HandyAndy]

The hose is a formed/angled one which the previous owner had broken and then tried to seal it with silicone

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[DJL220]

So after many hours work I can finally say the motorhome roof doesn't leak any more and has been transformed back to a liveable space. It's just as well as we are off to Haven Wild Duck tomorrow morning for a short break to relax

I think the final results is pretty good.

If you look closely at the ceiling the paper shows up some of the plywood joints, however I'm more than chuffed with the result. The wallpaper was finished last night and I rebuilt the interior today. We then gave her a clean from top to bottom ready for the morning.

Thank you one and all for your kind words of encouragement and help during this journey. I will be back soon when I tackle the back end of the MH for dampness.

 

[JockandRita]

DJL220. Relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. You've earned it.

Cheers,

Jock. ?

 

[Trout bum]

Wow well done with your task so far , great job and very detailed on your updates as to what sealer to use after doing all that great work don't skimp on the sealer personally I would use stickaflex as it's proven vehicle repairs for its strength and flexibility, try several fittings of the skylight before applying the sealant , then when confident apply the sealant and fit it on you have one shot at this you don't want to be moving it after applying the sealant and getting it in place ,and as previously suggested do a better repair on that crack , drilling a hole at the end and filling with gel will stop the crack moving on it's a trick us welders use when welding cracks in cast iron and it will work on your roof as well, best of luck you've done a fantastic job so far .

 

[Razamataz]

So after many hours work I can finally say the motorhome roof doesn't leak any more and has been transformed back to a liveable space. It's just as well as we are off to Haven Wild Duck tomorrow morning for a short break to relax
View attachment 341665
I think the final results is pretty good.
View attachment 341666
If you look closely at the ceiling the paper shows up some of the plywood joints, however I'm more than chuffed with the result. The wallpaper was finished last night and I rebuilt the interior today. We then gave her a clean from top to bottom ready for the morning.

Thank you one and all for your kind words of encouragement and help during this journey. I will be back soon when I tackle the back end of the MH for dampness.

Absolutely brilliant job
You must be well chuffed ?

 

[olsgreen]

Hats off to you DJL220, finished article looks great!

We're in a similar situation as you guys, bought ours in October, not leaking from skylights but poorly fitted aerials and awning that have been left by the looks of things. Managed to find a barn for three months to inspect and repair.

Thanks for all of the posts, a great read for those of us at the start of the journey.

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[Mike800966]

What a grand job that you have done!
And thanks for putting it up on herewith the pictures, it might well inspire others to have a go.
Now the BIG question- you said that you were quoted £10,000 to do the job,
What do you reckon it actually cost you to tackle it yourself?
Well done again

Mike

 

[Captain Pants]

Well done and big respect for your courage and perseverance. Very interesting thread. It must be very satisfying to see the finished item considering where it all started. Definitely not a job for the faint-hearted. Kind of puts me off coachbuilts tho’

 

[DJL220]

What a grand job that you have done!
And thanks for putting it up on herewith the pictures, it might well inspire others to have a go.
Now the BIG question- you said that you were quoted £10,000 to do the job,
What do you reckon it actually cost you to tackle it yourself?
Well done again

Mike

Hi Mike
I never did add up all of the receipts ? I would guess around £1000-1400

Will take a look tomorrow if I get a chance and report back total costs.

Kind regards
Darren

 

[DJL220]

Well done and big respect for your courage and perseverance. Very interesting thread. It must be very satisfying to see the finished item considering where it all started. Definitely not a job for the faint-hearted. Kind of puts me off coachbuilts tho’

Just make sure you don't make the mistake i made and get someone to check it first ? It's a life lesson I will not repeat ?

 

[DJL220]

So after the recent weather the MH has bitten back with another leak! Bessacarr E795 - 2006 model
We were away in Bournemouth this week and the weather was horrible, we had Bessie level and went out for the day. When we returned we were meet with dripping water from the front. A quick look on the roof and the water had formed a massive pool and had not been running away. Have checked now home and the roof has a massive dip around the front skylight. Looking at the join between the cab and roof, it would appear that this is now past it best!

The picture above is the O/S and i'm not 100% sure why there is a flat piece of trim glued to the body.

What advice would you give for the replacement/sealing? Silka or other mastic, would you cover with a plastic "D" strip or use something like Eternabond roof seal. I would really like to enjoy the MH rather than keep fixing it

Looks likely I will need a refresh inside again, this time i'm hoping it will be the final time!

One final part of advice, the body panel rubber could do with replacing, not sure if the link below is the same item: -

Swift Motorhome Caravan White body panel rubber

P V C White body panel rubber. 20mm x 7mm.x 1 met price per

www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk

Picture of swift body panel rubber

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[JockandRita]

OMG DJL220. ? You must have the patience of a bl@@dy Saint. ?

I'd be so downhearted finding that lot, after all the efforts you have already gone to.

I do though admire your effort to try and resolve the latest problems, and I wish you all the best with that.

Cheers,

Jock. ?

 

[DJL220]

OMG DJL220. ? You must have the patience of a bl@@dy Saint. ?

I'd be so downhearted finding that lot, after all the efforts you have already gone to. ☹

I do though admire your effort to try and resolve the latest problems, and I wish you all the best with that.

Cheers,

Jock. ?

Cheers Jock, trust me when i say I felt Crestfallen when I came back to this leak.
However today is another day and I am not going to be beaten
The only other options would be to sell her on and then someone else would feel like me too (that's not right).
So onward and upwards to repair the roof!

 

[JockandRita]

Cheers Jock, trust me when i say I felt Crestfallen when I came back to this leak.
However today is another day and I am not going to be beaten
The only other options would be to sell her on and then someone else would feel like me too (that's not right).
So onward and upwards to repair the roof!

Nice one, and power to your enthusiasm and attitude to it all. ?

Cheers,

Jock. ?

 

[funflair]

Oh what a bummer, what to re-seal the roof with could depend on what is there already, if it's a mastic joint now you will not get it clean enough to use a Sika adhesive type filler/adhesive so I would go mastic again, if it has had silicone sealer on it you will have to get it really clean to get anything to stick, but whatever you choose I would go over the joint with eternabond tape as you never want that to happen again.

I would also urge you to have a good look at the O/S roof to wall joint as there likes like movement there to me.

Martin

 

[68c]

I had huge damp issues on a Swift Sundance with an alloy skin roof. Loads of tiny holes from corrosion due to bird droppings. My fault for not keeping the roof clean. Once all repairs were finished I gave it two coats of EDPM rubber applied with a roller and brush. It is a two part product that sets chemically to form a one piece rubber skin about 0.5mm thick. It probably did not need the second coat but as I had bought the material decided to use it. It completely sealed the roof. This is not cheap stuff but does work well.


I covered the whole roof, if yours is plastic may only need to cover all joint areas.

Google Pro Guard liquid rubber. I got mine online from Alltime Coatings

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[Mike800966]

Absolutely full marks for persistence!
The roof to cab joint on our van has given problems in the past due to a split in the plastic joiner which was replaced at the factory- but thats another story! (500 euro for a days work)
Since then I have kept that transverse joint covered with , Bostick Flashband Tape and so far it has never leaked again, worth spending time with a solvent in preparation and applying on a warm day.
A bit belt and braces but worth it, in my view
Mike

 

[DJL220]

Oh what a bummer, what to re-seal the roof with could depend on what is there already, if it's a mastic joint now you will not get it clean enough to use a Sika adhesive type filler/adhesive so I would go mastic again, if it has had silicone sealer on it you will have to get it really clean to get anything to stick, but whatever you choose I would go over the joint with eternabond tape as you never want that to happen again.

I would also urge you to have a good look at the O/S roof to wall joint as there likes like movement there to me.

Martin

Hi Martin
I have checked the O/S roof join and I can't see anything bad, it looks like a previous repair which wasn't that good across the roof the distance between the join is similar.
I have dug out and re-sealed to stop more water going in and ordered some eternabond tape, which i will use when 100% confident that the leak is no more. Kinda belt & Braces approach
Thanks for your comments
Darren

 

[DJL220]

I had huge damp issues on a Swift Sundance with an alloy skin roof. Loads of tiny holes from corrosion due to bird droppings. My fault for not keeping the roof clean. Once all repairs were finished I gave it two coats of EDPM rubber applied with a roller and brush. It is a two part product that sets chemically to form a one piece rubber skin about 0.5mm thick. It probably did not need the second coat but as I had bought the material decided to use it. It completely sealed the roof. This is not cheap stuff but does work well.


I covered the whole roof, if yours is plastic may only need to cover all joint areas.

Google Pro Guard liquid rubber. I got mine online from Alltime Coatings

Cladding & Coating Systems | Commercial & Industrial Buildings

Roof & gutter refurbishment for the industrial and commercial sectors. Specialist manufacturer of the market-leading Advantage Graphene system.

www.alltimescoatings.co.uk

Hi 68c
I have looked at the EDPM stuff, my roof isn't that bad all over. I guess that will be the final roll of the dice before sending the MH off the scrap yard
Fingers cross the sealant applied today and a final taping should cure the issue.
Regards
Darren

 

[DJL220]

So a week on and having checked all areas of the roof I still have a leak, looked at the sealing of the rooflight and was just about to rip it out and re-seal when I found what looks like an impact of some kind on the roof. Only a small area of damage but I think this time I could have finally found my issue!

My approach to fixing this will be like the last roofing repair, fibreglass underneath (once I have ripped the ceiling down) and gelcoat bodywork filler on the top!

Happy days!

 

[Bognor Saint]

Just curious if your last repair sorted the problem.
Impressed with your perseverance.

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[DJL220]

Just curious if your last repair sorted the problem.
Impressed with your perseverance.

I have managed to solve the leaks in the roof. The other day we had some serious rain and inside was dry
Couldn't start a project and let it beat me

 

[Lenny HB]

Well done mate a brilliant job, in the past I replaced an internal wall on a caravan that was hard enough but a roof takes it to another level.

 

[Johnenigma]

Thank you for the inspiration for my project rebuild.
It is a great feeling when you get the 'Eureka' moment having finally recognised and fixed the problem.
A very informative post.

 

[pampam]

Wow what a thread to read and start the day im nota joiner or anythong but i was going to suggest the same treatment as 68c just as extra insurance for the whole of the roof good luck,funnily enough i love bessecars ican see why you want to keep it (i also love buccaneers and theres a thread on here thats having major water ingress issues too) hope youve finally fixed it pampam

 

[DJL220]

Glad to see people are still finding inspiration from this thread

it turned out that I hadn’t quite finished with the roof. In another thread Dampness Project - Floor Now, I finally found the final issue and protect/coated the roof. It’s another long read due to the water ingress spreading around the MH.

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