Help with water ingress please!

[gregrandall1]

Hi everyone. Really pleading for some generous help / advice on some water ingress. we've recently purchased a 2009 Compass Avantgarde and it has some water ingress in the front bed above the cab. I’ve attached a few pics but can send more if not clear. I’ve no experience repairing Motorhome’s or even owning one but I’m alright at DIY when given instructions.

1. Should I attempt this or just leave it to professionals?
2. How can I remove the internal panels to see the real damage and try to find the source?
3. Any links / threads / general tips advice. The only stuff I find on YouTube is full Motorhome refurbs.

thanks so much

Greg (and family)

 

[The Coops]

Bought private or from a dealership first question? If from dealer you have at least 6 months warranty whether implied or not, If private then buyer beware . Might only be a case of opening up and resealing joints but depends on damage done and what has gone on before, Cover with a tarp and send pictures to dealer and a reminder that by Law he is responsible for up to 6 months warranty work . Make copies of all correspondence and make sure you get a picture with time and date on it. If won't play ball then go to court and get a judgement made and get your money back that way, can be slow and long winded but if you persevere then win win

 

[gregrandall1]

Private unfortunately.

 

[The Coops]

Then you need to go down the legal route as goods sold unsuitable for purpose, I don't want to know what you paid for the vehicle but its either Luxury goods or Sale of Goods Act, Do you have copies of the advert that brought the vehicle to your attention in particular to the condition? If so loo on the internet or Auto trader for similar vehicle and prices and if a reasonable price paid ( Not ridiculously under market value) then you have a case. Present this to the seller with the caveat of but it back or face legal proceedings DO NOT enter into any shouting matches but word your case clearly and repeat ( a good tip switch on your mobile to record the conversation) If they still refuse then depending on what you paid then either small claims and hope that they have enough assets to recoup your loss or full legal proceedings to recoup. Which everway you go you have a 99% chance of winning and point this out to the seller. If found guilty they are subject to all kinds of checks on their credit ratings and money dealings .....Good Luck, Be firm be polite and be positive

 

[TheBig1]

First, don't panic!

The water is likely getting in in a few places so best reseal all the possible areas

The strip across the roof, needs removing, clean off sealant with a plastic scraper and white spirit. Then refit using mastic strip and new stainless steel screws

The same as above for the trip at the joint of the wall and roof

The high level marker lights the same

Then get the van dried out before you think of stripping out internal panels

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[jollyrodger]

Looking at the metal strip along the roofline I would hazard a guess that it been off before ,whatever its stuck down with being crudely all over the place and screws don't look original

 

[Phill D]

to add a little to your concern's those screws are likely into a wooden batten , which is quite likely suffering from the water ingress so worth checking out.

as has already been said, dry things out if you can before any internal stripping..

 

[gregrandall1]

First, don't panic!

The water is likely getting in in a few places so best reseal all the possible areas

The strip across the roof, needs removing, clean off sealant with a plastic scraper and white spirit. Then refit using mastic strip and new stainless steel screws

The same as above for the trip at the joint of the wall and roof

The high level marker lights the same

Then get the van dried out before you think of stripping out internal panels

Thanks so much that’s really useful. Any links or further advice on removing the strip across the roof and resealing? Also assume I can’t actually stand / sit on the roof here. That part is my best bet as internally the water is showing a bit both sides.

I wanted to remove the internal panels to try and see where it’s coming from but I’m hearing from most of you not to bother.

 

[Phill D]

i would avoid any excess weight on the roof. if that is possible. i use my tall step ladder and a kids " body board" placed on the roof to spread any weight i put on the roof from stretching and leaning....

wont be an easy task to avoid weight when you need to get close and work on things.

if the only damp you have is the corner in the photo then drying out the inside and resealing the outside joints may well sort it.

you could buy a cheap damp meter and do some checks. dont worry too much what the actual reading is just look for a consistent reading across the panels ... ( unless that reading is all damp!! )

 

[TheBig1]

put a couple of planks across the flat part of the roof to work from, never put weight on the overcab as very easy to damage. When taking off the strip you will find the screws are all rotten and loose as they always are. then carefully pull it off from one end being careful not to bend it. The non setting mastic will be filthy too, but it all needs cleaning off well. Use white spirit as a solvent and it will be easy

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=191727703472

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[Carol]

Welcome to Motorhome Fun, I see you have used your 5 free posts up when you join you get 5 free posts then you can decide to become a full member for £15 a year then you can access all the information and ask as many questions as you like, for anyone with a motorhome this forum is a mine of information. I hope you can find a solution to your damp problems not what you need when you get a new van.
Good luck.

 

[ambulancekidd]

 

[Boris7]

We had an issue with a roof light (our second trip saw it damaged by very high winds, question if it should have been covered under warranty as we had just bought the MH from a dweller (not a misprint) but changed it ourselves.

My experience is very limited but that roof seal looks very poor.

Previous advise is good, I'd avoid the legal route as it will take time and unless you get a professional appraisal and quote you'll just have a headache.

I've lots of experience on water tight sealing, and I'd agree, remove the sealant and strip back to basic panels,

Clean down with IPA Isopropyl Alcohol Isopropanol Solvent Cleaning

buy a quality seal such as this Amazon product ASIN B0036APFJM
and then consider a new aluminium strip (they bend easily and are an arse if not perfect)

Then use pan head screws and over seal the screws and the edges of the aluminium strip with a good quality clear waterproof sealant such as https://www.screwfix.com/p/dow-781-acetoxy-silicone-sealant-clear-310ml/32576

You should be able to access the roof with two step ladders, and four scaffold pole to make a bridge, but stay off the roof itself.

Once done, leave stationary for a few days.

As I said on your other thread use a tarpaulin or park indoors until your ready to do the work, and again after you've done the work (instant water proof sealant is not a good option as it sets hard and the roof will flex when driving)

 

[Winger]

Well my question would be, have you damp ingress or is this a problem that has been repaired bearing in mind someone has done work on use seals. May just be old stains

 

[peterc10]

This damp could be condensation, which can occur in the overcab area where the insulation can be poor and no ventilation.

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[Terry]

Hi and welcome ?I have been converting vans for over 20 years and while agreeing with a lot of the above I would use Puraflex 40 to seal your roof not the tape.You will probably damage the Ali strip when removing it so get a carpet grip strip (used to join in doorways etc ) After cleaning the roof simply use a good bead of the Puraflex and stick the new strip over and screw ( you can buy Ali screws ) clean off surplus.
If you use Stainless it reacts with Ali?
You can buy 3mm ply (coated) for the inside along with plastic idiot covering strips. You have enough to be going on with for now so will wait for a progress report ?If you need a temporary seal use a couple of strips of gaffer tape ?

 

[gregrandall1]

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. I’ve ordered some w4 stripping. Enough to do the roof strip and hope that resolves it

Terry - do you suggest removing the current strip and replacing with a few carpet door strips? Or do they do longer ones? Or could you send me a link to the kind of thing you mean??

 

[Terry]

Hi they do them 3 MTRS long ....ask at a carpet shop or better still a carpet fitter

 

[Treecol]

Just to encourage you my husband has no experience in repairing MH's but with all the wonderful help and advice on here, including a home visit from fellow funster The Big One (pre lock down) he has completely rebuilt the whole back end inside as it was soaking wet. He's resealed the exterior too and also rebuilt the rear bumpers in fibreglass. So she's now looking amazing and watertight.
So you can probably do much more than you realise. It's a learning curve and this site is invaluable. But have a go and you'll not only appreciate your MH more when it's done, but save a fortune too.

 

[Treecol]

This will show you how bad it was and how it looks almost finished. Yours looks no where near as bad!

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[TheBig1]

Well done Claire & Colin, you have done a super job. I was going to ring you to ask how things are progressing

 

[gregrandall1]

Hi they do them 3 MTRS long ....ask at a carpet shop or better still a carpet fitter

Morning Terry

This kind of thing? it's the best i can find.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=222618860389

 

[Terry]

Yes that's it ?As people have already said clean off the old stuff ( I use a sharp hard wooden wedge or paper scraper ) clean it all off then put a thick bead of Puraflex 40 press down so it squishes out, then clean off excess ? I use uPVC cleaner ?