I would appreciate any help and advice people can give. We have a Windsor full van. We have had issues with water leaking in around the windows they are the Camec ones, the van is nearly 6 yrs old, and has been well looked after, looks like new inside apart from some water marks and mould on the ply around the windows.
It leaked when we first got it and it was sent back to the dealer who sealed around all the windows and along the roof with silicon. This seemed to work for a while until we had water coming in one window. We took off the silicon around all the windows and re did it. Again seems to of worked at first. The silicon still looks good, can see no signs of where water could come in. But with the heavy rain we have had in Brisbane in the last week, more water has got in. Wetting the ply leaving stains, I have had the air-conditioned on in the van for nearly 2 days drying it all out but the water has left marks and we still have the mould from previous leaks to deal with. I have dried dishwashing liquid, vinegar and water, bicarb, bleach and nothing moves the mould. I havent tried Oil of Cloves yet.
Questions:
1) does anyone know how to get rid of the mould and the water marks off the ply.
2) what is the best thing to use to seal around the windows so they dont leak.
Sorry to hear about the leaks. If this has been an ongoing problem then pounds to peanuts the meranti frame is now also effected. It maybe a good time to trade up, as frame rot is not covered by insurance. Cheers, ozjohn.
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Retired Engineer, Ex Park Owner & Caravan Consultant. Holden 2.8 Colorado - Roma Elegance 17'6" Pop Top. Location: Mornington Peninsula Vic.
Hi let's Go, Mate, we had the same problem leaking around bedroom window, the re-pairs couldn't fine were the water was entering the van, after removing the window
"Well" wait for it mate, this is how they (Re-pair's) found the water entering through the walls of the van.
They decided to turn the hose on the walls and there is was coming through the aluminium crimped edge's.
Problem solve, Then I reseal all around the van "A **** of a job"
Thanks Oz John and Mick for your replies. Upgrading is not an option at this point and even if we could we would still want to fix the van and seal it properly for any other buyers.
Thanks Mick we will look into that as around the windows themselves are well sealed so we can't see how the water can get in.
What type of windows do you have the Camec style? I know they are no longer using these windows on new vans ha I wonder why.
G'day mate, sorry to read about your caravan problems and the only thing I can think of re mould is to google Shannon Lush who compere's a program on the ABC covering problem stains etc, she also has a book published on same. Personally I have used Boric acid successfully to get a water mark out of meranti but it sure does suck out the juice. In my case it was an unpainted front door that was soaked, but the above worked........hope this is of some help, cheers, Ozi2
Thanks Oz John and Mick for your replies. Upgrading is not an option at this point and even if we could we would still want to fix the van and seal it properly for any other buyers.
Thanks Mick we will look into that as around the windows themselves are well sealed so we can't see how the water can get in.
What type of windows do you have the Camec style? I know they are no longer using these windows on new vans ha I wonder why.
Of course they are still using Camec windows. Camec windows are made by Australite. Not the windows that leak is the rubbish vans they make that leak. Rubbish van makers use foam tape as it is cheap and nasty in preference to using proper sealant. Quality van makers would die before using foam tape. If you want to keep that van pull all the windows, door, boot, toilet door, water inlet out and seal properly with correct type of sealant. If you want windows with added problems buy Euro windows. Camec windows dont fail like Euro windows.
-- Edited by Covert Operation on Friday 15th of October 2010 01:55:46 PM
Once the ply has been saturated and the veneer has been stained, there is no way out of it but to rebuild the damaged walls. I've washed down with detergent with vinegar, and then sprayed with oil of cloves blended with water - 1 teaspoon to 1 litre. I keep a spray bottle on stand-by. I tried to claim insurance after the extremely wet "wet season" here in Cairns started wetting the interior of my van when the ground and air couldn't get any wetter after 14 days and nights of rain. No deal! "Wear and tear," they said. I'm worried about the timber frame, but when it falls to bits I might have an insurance claim. I lost clothes in the wardrobes to mold. The black stuff just stained and could not be soaked and washed out. I have used Sikaflex Marine and Auto to seal windows, door, joins and crimped edges. So far, so good, but I haven't moved the van since I resealed it. The caravan repairer recommends Selleys Roof and Gutter, but I haven't tried it. I've found the foam seal around the windows and door keeps the dust out but draws the water in. Van builders need to find a better material to actually seal these vehicles. Replacing my van isn't an option either. So I'll just persevere with the discoloured and damaged internal walls. Good luck with that.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Just like to thank everyone for their replies. We have decided to take the windows out and reseal the with the Marine Sikaflex. Did one window on the weekend, the frame looked fine. The ply is so light and thin I don't think it takes much to get it wet. We feel confident sealing this way will fix the problem. We will go over the whole van as suggested. We have some matching ply so will also replace that.
Just like to thank everyone for their replies. We have decided to take the windows out and reseal the with the Marine Sikaflex. Did one window on the weekend, the frame looked fine. The ply is so light and thin I don't think it takes much to get it wet. We feel confident sealing this way will fix the problem. We will go over the whole van as suggested. We have some matching ply so will also replace that.
Thanks again
Sikaflex are certainly the most recommended of sealants. Be careful with their adhesives, 252 for example, as it is indeed permanent. Removal by mechanical means is the only option once set and this can sometimes involve destruction of the bonded items.
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Old age and treachery will overcome youth and enthusiasm any day.......
