Blardy rain! Me roof's leaking!

[TravellingChick]

Just popped in to check how Tink was faring under the torrential downpours since Sunday and discovered a leak in the roof

One of the panel joins is dripping in water and has soaked the upper bed cushion. Have affected emergency repair with sellotape and a plastic bag after mopping it all down.

Taught myself how to get the roof up as well, sticky moment getting it down again tho. Blardy hec but it's a tricky business.

Am wondering if some sort of bathroom sealant across the join would do the trick, guessing from the outside rather than the inside.

Maybe you educated people have got a better idea tho?

Might have to convert Tink to an Ark if this rain continues!

[samk]

it's a very common Autohomes pop-top problem I'm afraid - i bought one in December and have spent some time making the roof watertight

I have;
- removed old paint on top with nitrmorse (you may be lucky if t's not been painted by previous owner)
- dried mine out - left roof popped on girlfriend's parents drive with oil radiator plugged in overnight!
- re painted with 2 x coats of rustolium combicolor (thanks to all those who advised) NB leaving about a week between coats
- sealed the edge between roof and side seal with frame sealant (like bathroom sealant but better for outdoors)
- finally, after that dried i sealed all round the top with a flashing tape - evostik flashband

it seems pretty watertight now!

do a search within the forum - i found some posts that really helped me decide what to do, the rest i decided on myself or simply posted here again for advice. - good luck!
-

[TravellingChick]

Thanks Sam, it's a new roof tho.

Spoke to my seller and he's really surprised as it's a whole new aparatus except the aluminium sheet which they salvaged from the original.

I think it might be the vent rather than the join in the plywood, will investigate further at the weekend when I have got time/daylight.

In the meantime, the roof cushion is drying out and the rest of the interior wasn't too bad tbh.

That JK cover is looking quite attractive at the mo!

Frame sealant around the vent sounds a good idea altho the guys assured me they gave it a good drowning to ensure it was watertight....

[samk]

oh, that's a different kettle of fish then! fingers crossed you get to the bottom of the problem.

I still recommend a layer of flashband round the edge - can only help keep water out from what is a bit of a vulnerable roof by design.

hope you get out and about in the van soon, i've only had one proper trip so far but the better weather, lighter nights are making me want to go on a surf trip asap!

[dugcati]

I got a similar leak in mine - it the well known front windscreen leak problem though so I can't really do much with it until I break - sorry remove the glass!

[TravellingChick]

Well known front windscreen leak?

EEEK!!!!

Sam, I am off to buy flashband at the weekend. Dunno where from yet but I will find it!

First trip at Easter, can't wait and am optimistic that the either the roof will hold leakproof OR it won't rain!

[weldore]

[samk]

get your flashband delivered ! http://www.cwatson.co.uk/index.html?lan ... t=d97.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i went for the 100mm width for max coverage - i'll try and upload a photo to show you at the weekend

by the way, did the previous owner mention how much new roof parts were? i started looking into this but thought they were astronomical - ended up thinking that if i am going to replace in the future i'd go for a westy pop top kit - probably cheaper in the long run and although I like the autohomes roof we popped the westys look better when down!

[TravellingChick]

[TravellingChick]

get your flashband delivered ! http://www.cwatson.co.uk/index.html?lan ... t=d97.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

i went for the 100mm width for max coverage - i'll try and upload a photo to show you at the weekend

by the way, did the previous owner mention how much new roof parts were? i started looking into this but thought they were astronomical - ended up thinking that if i am going to replace in the future i'd go for a westy pop top kit - probably cheaper in the long run and although I like the autohomes roof we popped the westys look better when down!

Thanks, I'll order some tomorrow. A pic would be brill.

I'll ask my seller tomorrow and let you know.

[Nicola&Tony]

Am wondering if some sort of bathroom sealant across the join would do the trick, guessing from the outside rather than the inside.

That Flashband stuff looks interesting, have bookmarked it for future reference, cheers.

Depending on the job, and where it's leaking, if you were wanting to use a liquid seal, go for Tigerseal rather than the bathroom stuff. Tigerseal will glue and seal, comes in black, white or grey and is available on ebay (e.g. item no. 180324237294).

Tony

[TravellingChick]

Ta, the more I think about it the more I think it's the vent.

Really need to get in there and have a closer look but can't till Friday arvo earliest.

Need to get some more water in the tank too, the low lamp is on and don't want to drain the battery!

[Campcharlie]

just off topic for one post.

TC...i have ur thermo mats

[TravellingChick]

whoo hooo! Thanks MrsCC and Rainman!!

Will PM MrCC to arrange a hostage exchange half way across the Wibbly Wobbly Bridge then

Thank ya Thank ya Thank ya

[andisnewsyncro]

I think it might be the vent rather than the join in the plywood, will investigate further at the weekend when I have got time/daylight.

If it's the roof vent there some mastik tape stuff available from caravan shops. Towsure have it but it might be worth a google-type shop around for somewhere nearby to you.
http://www.towsure.com/product/913-Mast ... tr_Length)

You just remove the inner & outer parts of the vent, clean up the roof around the hole, stick it on and refit the vent. The important thing is to remove all traces of the old adhesive, (meths or white spirit I think, but can't remember which one sorry). I used some a couple of years back and it's very easy & quick & effective.

Andi