motorhome leaking through pitted holes in roof

[DavidG58]

This is not my own motorhome (as yet at least )

Asking for eldest daughter who wouldn't be told and is ongoing with damp repairs

skylights have been removed and resealed a joint across the bridge from flat roof to overcab bulge redone, great sadness at first rain the week, it still leaks

Now thought down to multiple pin holes in flat roof section, I have heard of this problem, but not heard how to fix it

Is there a simple way to cover the whole roof area to reseal, looks are not overly important, we are still talking about an elderly Elddis here, but an already much loved one

the bank of mum and dad are helping, but not willing to go much further, but even I want to see the incoming waters stopped

hoping for a recommended paint or coating of some kind

 

[Eggs]

A mate of mine used this, last I saw it was still dry.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-2-5l...067486?hash=item41aeb6759e:g:lmoAAOSw0fhXi5Jr

 

[daveandsan]

A mate of mine used this, last I saw it was still dry.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-2-5l...067486?hash=item41aeb6759e:g:lmoAAOSw0fhXi5Jr

That looks worth a punt David.
By the way, liking the new Avatar.

 

[funflair]

No experience with this product David but it looks like the sort of thing you are looking for.



Martin

 

[barsteward]

I am a complete novice and no nothing, but something that has struck me for a long time is Wrapping, could the roof be wrapped? Nowadays it's relatively inexpensive and professionally applied I'm sure would afford a high degree of protection and colourways ie white.

once again I know nuffing but I'm sure an expert will soon let us know what a stupid idea it is

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[DavidG58]

I am a complete novice and no nothing, but something that has struck me for a long time is Wrapping, could the roof be wrapped? Nowadays it's relatively inexpensive and professionally applied I'm sure would afford a high degree of protection and colourways ie white.

once again I know nuffing but I'm sure an expert will soon let us know what a stupid idea it is

I cant see any post of yours without recalling and smiling about the hose you bought to fill your MH

a nice layflat roll we connected it up at the gourmet meet a few years ago and waited

it didn't seem to inflate, then we started to get wet, then we all had a great laugh, you included

the hose was irrigation hose

very apt that you should reply to a leaking thread

but I like the idea, I guess some of the issues will be hardware on the roof, but definitely worth asking

 

[barsteward]

I cant see any post of yours without recalling and smiling about the hose you bought to fill your MH

a nice layflat roll we connected it up at the gourmet meet a few years ago and waited

it didn't seem to inflate, then we started to get wet, then we all had a great laugh, you included

the hose was irrigation hose

very apt that you should reply to a leaking thread

but I like the idea, I guess some of the issues will be hardware on the roof, but definitely worth asking

I remember it well Dave, along with the very helpful and understanding funsters at the meet on my very first outing as a complete and utter numpty. Can I add nothing has changed, the older I get the dafter I get

 

[wigster]

Tight git buy her a new van lol

 

[dave newell]

Sorry to say but the pinholes will almost certainly be what is often referred to as aluminium cancer. Once water gets into the structure the timber framing sections will absorb the water and start to rot. Timber suffering from wet rot releases chemicals which eat through aluminium (the skin is only 0.8mm thick) leaving the pitted pin holes you have on the roof. Sealing it will not cure it long term as the timber is still rotting away inside. The only way to deal with it fully is to remove the roof skin, replace all rotten or even damp timber and reskin with a new sheet of aluminium. Ben there, done that, got the tee shirt. We had a 1990 autohomes highwayman and had to rebuild the entire nsr half and roof and reskin the entire body.

D.

 

[mfw]

As dave said you need to do a major repair

As a cheap bodge job or fix you might get away with stone chip underseal you can get it in white autopaints sell it not expensive either under £10 a litre but it is spray on being flexible it might work - but i dont know if it would work or last long but preparation would be very important or it will just come off anyway

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[DuxDeluxe]

I cant see any post of yours without recalling and smiling about the hose you bought to fill your MH

a nice layflat roll we connected it up at the gourmet meet a few years ago and waited

it didn't seem to inflate, then we started to get wet, then we all had a great laugh, you included

the hose was irrigation hose

very apt that you should reply to a leaking thread

but I like the idea, I guess some of the issues will be hardware on the roof, but definitely worth asking

I remember that one......

 

[Two on Tour]

Sorry to say but the pinholes will almost certainly be what is often referred to as aluminium cancer. Once water gets into the structure the timber framing sections will absorb the water and start to rot. Timber suffering from wet rot releases chemicals which eat through aluminium (the skin is only 0.8mm thick) leaving the pitted pin holes you have on the roof. Sealing it will not cure it long term as the timber is still rotting away inside. The only way to deal with it fully is to remove the roof skin, replace all rotten or even damp timber and reskin with a new sheet of aluminium. Ben there, done that, got the tee shirt. We had a 1990 autohomes highwayman and had to rebuild the entire nsr half and roof and reskin the entire body.

D.

Pretty much the same as Dave, although I tackled ours from the inside stripping out the interior ceiling along with the soggy and rotten timbers and insulation. With that lot stripped out I could now see where the pin holes were by the sunlight coming through. The interior side of the aluminium skin looked pretty good and corrosion free so I sealed both the inner and out sides of the roof skin. As no daylight could now be seen I made and fitted a new timber framework, used styrofoam insulation rather than the polystyrene that was fitted originally and with a fresh interior ceiling we were weather tight and on the road again. Used the van for another 5 years before selling it on.

 

[Badknee]

@DavidG58 im almost certain that @Wildbill did a similar refirb earlier this year.

 

[Wildbill]

i used a Roofing sealer deck sealer its a system that was developed for the off shore industry it worked very well i get it locally to me i used it on my sons van to very good effect and not overly expensive
EDITE this was after fitting a new inertia roof replacing all the wood
bill

 

[chaser]

This is not my own motorhome (as yet at least )

Asking for eldest daughter who wouldn't be told and is ongoing with damp repairs

skylights have been removed and resealed a joint across the bridge from flat roof to overcab bulge redone, great sadness at first rain the week, it still leaks

Now thought down to multiple pin holes in flat roof section, I have heard of this problem, but not heard how to fix it

Is there a simple way to cover the whole roof area to reseal, looks are not overly important, we are still talking about an elderly Elddis here, but an already much loved one

the bank of mum and dad are helping, but not willing to go much further, but even I want to see the incoming waters stopped

hoping for a recommended paint or coating of some kind

hi david , nice to see shes still at it, been wondering what happened to it, probably a bit crude for her likeing but seen loads covered with black bitumen and even one or two with felt stuck on the roof.

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[Wildbill]

@DavidG58 the product i mention in my previews post comes in black gray and white
bill

 

[DavidG58]

hi david , nice to see shes still at it, been wondering what happened to it, probably a bit crude for her likeing but seen loads covered with black bitumen and even one or two with felt stuck on the roof.

The roof is already not very pretty although it might clean, hopefully a coating of something will give at least a couple of years respite

 

[gus-lopez]

Pretty much the same as Dave, although I tackled ours from the inside stripping out the interior ceiling along with the soggy and rotten timbers and insulation. With that lot stripped out I could now see where the pin holes were by the sunlight coming through. The interior side of the aluminium skin looked pretty good and corrosion free so I sealed both the inner and out sides of the roof skin. As no daylight could now be seen I made and fitted a new timber framework, used styrofoam insulation rather than the polystyrene that was fitted originally and with a fresh interior ceiling we were weather tight and on the road again. Used the van for another 5 years before selling it on.

Similar to the above but fibre glassed completely on inside before rebuilding.

 

[Terry]

Morning David,
As Dave Newel and others agree with Knowing Nats van I am thinking more on the paint or I have a half sheet of Caravan side sheet Ali on the roof of garage she is welcome to probably 5/7 foot wide and roughly same long.You could simply stick it on top of exhisting and buy a couple more Ali sheets (not sure on price these days but I paid £50 a sheet for 10 X 5 ft ) and cover the lot with a lot less risk of leaks The sheet is only .6 mm thick/thin and can be cut very easily with a Stanley knife

 

[golly]

No direct experience, but can remember reading of a rubber type paint that american RVs use.

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[Figaro]

As a bodge, a step up from bitumen / paint might be tanking fluid used for wet rooms.
Usually grey, easy to apply, flexible and completely waterproof.
Probably cheaper than a "motorhome" product.

 

[Wildbill]

As a bodge, a step up from bitumen / paint might be tanking fluid used for wet rooms.
Usually grey, easy to apply, flexible and completely waterproof.
Probably cheaper than a "motorhome" product.

thats what i have suggested and i can get it in white for him or put him in touch with my suppler
bill

 

[pappajohn]

All the "paint sealer on it" bodges won't last long, it's rotting from inside.
Once this pin holes start growing they will grow faster and faster from the INSIDE.
Before you realise there will be more holes than roof covered in underseal type stuff.
Strip the roof, repair the rot then replace the roof with Ali sheet or fiberglass over thin ply and a rubberised coating on top.

 

[Lenny HB]

Agree with others you need to get rid of all the rotten timer first or any repair won't last long.
I had a caravan with a few pinholes in the wall and some damp inside when I stripper the inner wallboard the timbers were rotten.

 

[Wildbill]

i did have to rip out the roof on my sons van replace toe rotten timber then i tank sealed the lot before replacing it all

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[Popeye]

I remember it well Dave, along with the very helpful and understanding funsters at the meet on my very first outing as a complete and utter numpty. Can I add nothing has changed, the older I get the dafter I get

Oh that was you, I'd heard the stories and assumed it was @swanseajack13 or @cutfinger @DLT or someone similar

 

[Silver-Fox]

Strip the roof, repair the rot then replace the roof with Ali sheet or fiberglass over thin ply and a rubberised coating on top.

Funnily enough that's what I was thinking.
Or if the water ingress hasn't caused to much of an issue, could you bond a thin piece of ply onto the existing roof. Then you could fibreglass the ply and top coat it with coloured resin.

Just a thought

 

[Terry]

I think we are all going along more or less the same lines to remove and replace but Nats van is to put it kindly knackered.As such she needs a bodge until they decide / enough is enough and replace it Give her, her dues she is persistent / David said stubbon and is in love with the van and is determined to keep it on the road. The bodge does not have to last long ... hopefully for David's sake

 

[peterc10]

David, I am sure you will be able to carry out all of the suggested repairs yourself won't you? Or is it going to be ....................... TERRY

Edit. Oh bugger the man himself beat me to it

 

[monzer]

It's exactly the same position that I am in with my van. Aluminium is rotting through and it's days could be numbered. The guy at the garage told me to go away on this trip that I have planned and decide what I want to do with it when I get back.

Must admit I am tempted to splash the cash it needs when I arrive back in the UK and rip out the old timber and reseal the whole lot.

The water that you are finding in your daughters van wont be coming from a hole as such, it will be seeping in through all the rubber seals that are fixed down with the aluminium strips at the edges etc.

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