Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance

Topic: Advice with DIY damp repair

roundthecampfire

28/12/2023 at 9:38pm
Location: Mid Sussex UK
Outfit: Coachman Amara 640 6

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/3/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 6

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	10
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi all,

Hoping to tap into some of the wisdom of the group :)

I'm in the process of repairing some fairly significant damp on the front panel of our 2011 Coachman Amara 640/6. I've taken the inner blinds off, taken the windows and window seals out and stripped back the rotted plywood.

I've uploaded a couple of pictures, one with the blinds off before I started on the plywood, and another with the rotten stuff ripped out. I think I've found the source of the leaks, there are some cracks along the window rail which is about where the water marks on the window started.

I'm thinking I should strip out the whole board, was thinking of using a multitool to get through the more solid material at the top. Feels like it's screwed down from the top but I can't get to the screws. I plan to replace the rotten board with 18mm marine ply and then buy some 3mm board with the right design on it to finish the inside.

The stuff I'm not decided on are:

- Should I bond the replacement board to the ABS of the front panel? Doesn't seem to be bonded at the moment but can't work out if that's due to the damp
- Does my approach above sound about right?

Really interested to hear other people's experiences, thanks in advance!

George

Post last edited on 28/12/2023 21:58:33

roundthecampfire

28/12/2023 at 9:38pm
Location: Mid Sussex UK
Outfit: Coachman Amara 640 6

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/3/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 6

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	10
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

roundthecampfire

28/12/2023 at 10:00pm
Location: Mid Sussex UK
Outfit: Coachman Amara 640 6

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/3/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 6

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	10
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I've had a read of some of the other posts in this section of the forum and thought I should mention that our Coachman seems to be constructed differently than most, as there's no framework around the windows. It seems to be a single sheet of 23mm ply with the printed plastic layer on the inside.

I've had a look and can only find 3mm decorated panels so that was why I was going 18mm + 3mm to be somewhere near the original construction.

Interested to hear everyone's thoughts and thanks again!

Pickled Onion

29/12/2023 at 11:00am
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3042

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	8
Site Nights 2018:	1

Luckily, I've had no experience of doing a front window repair,....yet. Therefore my expertise is limited but I don't think the ply was ever bonded to the ABS front so some meaty half lay scarf joints onto the old but sound ply should suffice.

The main thing is finding the root cause of the problem and the over-window support strip is a very common failure point. Probably the fixing holes were non existant or too small at assembly, the resulting strain splits the ABS over time. The multi-tool is a wonderful bit of kit for caravan panel repairs, I've used mine to do the underbed floor and to replace wall and ceiling parts in both front top corners.

Dave

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

roundthecampfire

30/12/2023 at 4:45pm
Location: Mid Sussex UK
Outfit: Coachman Amara 640 6

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/3/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 6

Site Reviews Total:	1

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	10
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Hi Dave

Thanks for the response. I ended up ripping the whole sheet out as it was wet to pretty much the height of the windows. Was a battle as the screws were all driven in from the outside before the outside skin was installed, so required some multitool and reciprocating saw action before it came free.

I've now installed a couple of battens in place of the original brackets to reattach the new front panel. I've found the source of the leak, as you mentioned it was from vertical cracks above and below the window strip screws. One was about 2mm wide! I've bought a plastic weld kit off Amazon and welded all of the bigger cracks, and smoothed off with a soldering iron. Started rubbing it back with 40 grit but ran out of light today. Tomorrow I'll finish that off and then get some plastic filler for the next stage.

Learning lots of new skills with this one! I'll post some more pics for anyone else facing the same sort of thing below.

Front panel removed, pressure treated batten installed either side to receive new panel:

Plastic weld of the worst crack:

The other thing I've noticed is there's pretty much no insulation on this panel at all - so I'm thinking of maybe using 18mm ply and then getting some thin insulation board and sandwiching that between the 18mm ply and the decorative board on the inside. I've seen window seals that are wider and would support it. Still not decided though.

Pickled Onion

01/1/2024 at 11:32am
Location: Near Alton Towers
Outfit: Bailey Burgundy S7 H

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 23/2/2006

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 3042

Site Reviews Total:	11

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	2
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	1

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	5
Site Nights 2020:	9
Site Nights 2019:	8
Site Nights 2018:	1

Well done you,

that's a cracking job, (no pun intended with the window frame) and one I'm sure that you are proud of.

It's another fine example to others who find themselves in a similar predicament, and shows just what can be achieved with a few tools and a bit of effort, a major repair job at at budget price.

Enjoy the fruits of your labours mate.

Dave.

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

Fiona W

via mobile 01/1/2024 at 4:12pm
Location: Ayrshire
Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 10/4/2007

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 5144
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	234

Site Reviews 2024:	18
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	12
Site Reviews 2021:	10
Site Reviews 2020:	4
Site Reviews 2019:	9
Site Reviews 2018:	18

Site Nights 2024:	37
Site Nights 2023:	25
Site Nights 2022:	32
Site Nights 2021:	25
Site Nights 2020:	20
Site Nights 2019:	28
Site Nights 2018:	30

Thinking about the insulation, you can get rolls of flexible stuff like “silver screen” material, or the pieces that go behind radiators; might be easier to work with, and certainly lighter weight.
Looks like a proper job though: well done.

-------------
2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

Toad acaravan

via mobile 19/1/2024 at 9:03pm
Location:
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/9/2023

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 51

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	2
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	20
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Have you considered the Ali/foam rolls used under laminate flooring (approx 4mm thick)...Gary

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Repairs, Servicing and Maintenance - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

4795 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder