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Topic: Re-sealing Roof Joint

tumblemoon

13/4/2007 at 1:28pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

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Hi.
Can I first say what a nice friendly forum.
Just wondering if there was anyone who could help with a quick question.
Our caravan (1990 Jubilee Rallyman) is showing signs that the roof has been letting in moisture. The ceiling of the van has an area that looks like delamination.
My question is, what would be the best course of action? I am considering running a line of clear sealant along the bar that runs the centre of the caravan roof. I am trying to put off the more expensive alternative of re-bedding the joint for a while.

MudIark

13/4/2007 at 2:33pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: Bailey Maru

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Rebed the joint by taking off the rail, cleaning it applying new non-setting mastic.

In the long run doing it properly in the first place is going to save you a lot later on when you find it nigh on impossible to remove the temporary repair.

Once you work on the centre rail you'll never want to do it again (that's why I keep putting mine off

)

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tumblemoon

13/4/2007 at 2:43pm
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Thanks for the reply Mudlark.
I think for me it's probably a job for the repair shop.
Is there a temporary repair I could do that would cause less problems? Would 'Creeping Crack Cure' be of any use?

wizard9956

13/4/2007 at 8:00pm
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a

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Hi Tumblemoon , if the only option open to you is a temperory repair , i would thoroughly clean the rail edges with white spirit , then clean them again with Meths and dry off . Note ( sealant / mastic doesn't stick well to white spirit ) . Once clean , use Sikaflex 512 Caravan sealant ( or any other good caravan sealant ) and run it along the edges to seal the rail .

atb

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sad mad fitter

14/4/2007 at 7:50pm
Location: notts
Outfit: mazda bongo

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hiya tumble non setting beding sealant is old hat, strop sealant is the way to go

keefg

15/4/2007 at 7:33pm
Location: Hertfordshire
Outfit: Elddis Firestorm 2003 + Audi A6

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Hi Sad Mad Fitter,

I have to do some of this and I am researching the products available. What is strop sealant?

Keef

PS Tumblemoon, my van is as damp as it is because of a history of 'temporary fixes'. It looks to me as though a proper job, removing the rails, cleaning them up and rebedding them is the only way to go.

sad mad fitter

15/4/2007 at 8:54pm
Location: notts
Outfit: mazda bongo

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sorry should read strip sealant, its like blue tack on a roll like tape, remove old moulding, clean off along with van, put strip sealant on moulding and refit as the screws go in the sealant seals. fantastic. i repaired rotten vans for 18 years its the way to go dude

tumblemoon

16/4/2007 at 11:27am
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Hi.
Thanks all for your help.
Spoke to a caravan workshop nearby where the caravan is stored for the season. For the centre bar re-bedded, he quoted a figure of about £80 plus parts and VAT. I then happened to call into another workshop and was informed that it was very unusual for the centre joint to become a problem and the area that I assume to be damp may be caused from another area.
I guess the best idea would be to get the workshop to have a look, although I am now bothered that they may replace the joint and it could be an unecessary expense that may not solve the problem.

lunarogg

16/4/2007 at 3:47pm
Location: Warrington Cheshire
Outfit: Elddis Vogue 616

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Hi tumblemoon where is the damp on your van roof? if its anywhere near the center of the roof then it is more likely to be the roof center rail. If the damp is to the roof edges or within 6-10 inches from the side of the van then the culprite will be the awning rail on the side of the van and unfortunately a much bigger damp issue good luck and I hope it turns out well Regards Ogg

tumblemoon

17/4/2007 at 12:31am
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Thanks Ogg.
I'm guessing it's damp. There are a couple of areas on the ceiling, about 12 inches from the centre joint, on the curve of the roof, that are not flush, although the wood sounds solid when tapped.
The workshop have arranged to take a look at the roof of the van, so should be a little wiser after their visit.

wizard9956

17/4/2007 at 9:31am
Location: Bristol
Outfit: Lunar Conquest 544 a

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Hi Tumblemoon , you could buy a damp meter from B&Q and test the ceiling wall boards . You may just find that the ceiling has sagged over the years .

atb

Wizard

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