Which sealant for window leak?

Joined
Oct 4, 2022
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Henfield, West Sussex
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91,710
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Autosleeper Broadway
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Since 2021 (previous tent campers)
We have an AS Broadway 2015 and bought this time last year.
I noticed recently a few beads of water on the rubber seal inside the rear window and worked out it’s coming from the top of the window where it fits into the frame. For now I’ve just put some tape over to keep the rain out.

On the outside it appears someone has previously sealed it as there’s clear sealant.
I’ll obviously need to scrape this away and reseal
After a search online I’ve come across Soudal all weather sealant.
Is this the right stuff to use? And does anyone know how easy it is to work with?

None of the other windows have sealant on them and don’t leak.
 
Or should I just use clear silicone? As this may be what was used before.
 
The only certain way is to remove the window and reseal with non setting sealant.
Just putting more on top of existing will only give a temporary repair and silicone is not recommend at all.
Are you certain it's not condensation ?
 
Thanks for the response, I was afraid someone might suggest removing the window…
No it’s not condensation as it’s only this one window and once I taped over the suspected area it’s bone dry.
 
I've never had to do one, but I don't think they're difficult.
If unsure, post a couple of photos and someone will advise on dismantling.
After that it's just cleaning off the old sealant, applying new and reassemble

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Ok I’ll have a look when I go over tomorrow and take some photos. There’s no obvious access to any screws.

Would the Soudal All weather be the correct sealant to use? If so I’ll order some ready.
Thanks again
 
I used Hodgson Seamseal CV non setting on a roof light which wasn't entirely successful, so I got some of the non setting tape seal which was much more successful.
 
The window will consist of an inner frame and an outer frame which will have the window hinges and stays. They are normally held together by screws from the inside. Access to the screws will involve removing interior trim and/or blinds. Sometimes the screws are hidden behind plastic plugs. Once the screws are removed you will need someone outside to catch the frame. Clean off all old sealant with white spirit or similar. Use a non-setting mastic, it is available in cartridge or tape. When re-assembling, do not overtighten the fixing screws, you will only squeeze out the mastic and/or distort the frame.
While the frame is out have a good look for water ingress damage.

Geoff
 
I used Hodgson Seamseal CV non setting on a roof light which wasn't entirely successful, so I got some of the non setting tape seal which was much more successful.
I’ve used the Hodgsons seam seal CV on quite a few with good success, did yours still leak after re-fitting?
 
We had the same problem a small amount of water ingress, looked at doing the job myself, found a vehicle repair centre close to home who charged me £150, result I thought, dropped the van off picked it up the next day all done and water tight.

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We had the same problem a small amount of water ingress, looked at doing the job myself, found a vehicle repair centre close to home who charged me £150, result I thought, dropped the van off picked it up the next day all done and water tight.
Not a bad price but I prefer to do all my own repairs. A window remove, reseal and refit would cost me about £4 (for the sealant)

Geoff
 
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Thanks all..
I’m thinking I might contact my local repair workshop for a price.
I know it would be cheaper to fix it myself but if I cock it up it’d end up costing more in the long run!
 
Thanks all..
I’m thinking I might contact my local repair workshop for a price.
I know it would be cheaper to fix it myself but if I cock it up it’d end up costing more in the long run!
If you do make sure they are doing it right, taking it out, cleaning old sealant off, then refitting.
 
I had to remove and re-seal the rear window on my old Hymer. Water was getting under the external frame and into the roller blind. As donkey says, remove the sealed window unit and then undo the internal screws and push out the external frame. Mine had obviously been bodged a couple of times with silicone and the rubber gasket was missing altogether! I bought a replacement gasket strip, cleaned up the frame and re-sealed with the Dometic Seitz recommended SikaLastomer 710 sealant. That was 3 years ago and it's been bone dry ever since.

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As donkey says for removal of window. If it’s hid behind the wall covering you can simply get a tube of Puraflex 40 and seal with that. Remove the clear sealant, mast up and seal👍 Never had one leak in years of use. To do the job “properly “ you should remove window and replace the rubber gasket but most simply stick a load of sealant around and put the window back in without replacing gasket😉
If simply going to seal from outside 👍use masking tape a couple of mm around frame and bodywork. Smooth off with wet finger and pull tapes off immediately after smoothing 👍
 
We have an AS Broadway 2015 and bought this time last year.
I noticed recently a few beads of water on the rubber seal inside the rear window and worked out it’s coming from the top of the window where it fits into the frame. For now I’ve just put some tape over to keep the rain out.

On the outside it appears someone has previously sealed it as there’s clear sealant.
I’ll obviously need to scrape this away and reseal
After a search online I’ve come across Soudal all weather sealant.
Is this the right stuff to use? And does anyone know how easy it is to work with?

None of the other windows have sealant on them and don’t leak.
I greatly recommend Hippo pro 3 for any sealant or leak fixing jobs . It comes in clear or white . It is tough but flexible and can even be applied in wet conditions . In fact they have a demo that can be found on YouTube showing two bricks being bonded together underwater . It’s got me out of trouble many times .
 
I was nervous about removing and refitting a window. Like the OP I was of the opinion I would just cock it up.

Long story short, after successfully removing and replacing one window, and noting how badly fitted it was, I removed and replaced all six windows.

It allowed me to properly pack them so they were centred in the hole allowing a proper seal.

The hardest part was prising the windows out because of the gunk used to seal them. For the reseal I replaced the rubber seals and used butyl tape, which is much better than the tubes of sealant.

Since doing the windows i have also replaced two skylights with more modern ones including fitting an air max.

The more you do the more confident you will get.

d
 
I was nervous about removing and refitting a window. Like the OP I was of the opinion I would just cock it up.

Long story short, after successfully removing and replacing one window, and noting how badly fitted it was, I removed and replaced all six windows.

It allowed me to properly pack them so they were centred in the hole allowing a proper seal.

The hardest part was prising the windows out because of the gunk used to seal them. For the reseal I replaced the rubber seals and used butyl tape, which is much better than the tubes of sealant.

Since doing the windows i have also replaced two skylights with more modern ones including fitting an air max.

The more you do the more confident you will get.

d
You’re right, I should at least give it a go!
 
Jammi Ive used this in the past and it’s brilliant Captain trolleys creeping crack cure, if you use it and get any runs on bodywork wipe off straight away as it’s hard work once set.

John.

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