The two Heiki roof lights I have dont seem to be flush with the roof of the van, its for air flow i was told when i bought it, but flies walk on the roof and are getting underneath and into the caravan. There are sometimes between 5 and 10 stuck under each roof light. I was told to put citronella oil on the roof to keep them away, but a few are horseflies and they are little buggers to get rid off. Any help with this would be appreciated
There should be several fixing screws around the perimeter of the skylight flange (fixed to the ceiling inside the caravan) that holds the rooflight in place. If the rooflight has unknowingly been removed previously and the screws haven't been replaced or are worn, when you push open the vent then it is likely to push the whole rooflight upwards thus creating a gap between the skylight and roof allowing unwanted flies into the caravan. Check to see if the surrounding screws are missing or if they won't tighten up as I can't see it being anything else. There should also be a waterproof sealant (on the exterior) around the frame between the skylight and roof so if you have to remove the skylight then remember to thoroughly clean the surrounding areas well before re-sealing to stop any further rain water getting in.
The roof light should always close so as to leave a gap for ventilation.
Therefore there is always the possibility of insects, leaves etc getting in - which is why there is an insect blind....This may be a roller type or clip-in removable type
Chris, not sure you are right, just had a look at mine and when the roof light is shut you could not fit a hair through the gap, the mesh is there to stop insects getting in when it is open, if a fly can get in so can water, it is not fitted correctly in my opinion.
The roof light when shut does not sit flush with the roof on the van, But the heki roof light does sit flush inside the molding surround inside the van,to seal it.The heki roof light is designed to ventilate & cause air to enter and circulate freely
------------- Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!
Can i ask the OP, are these flies/debris? visible from inside the van? Or is it they are just under the 'glass' adjacent to the frame on the roof? If its the latter, theres not a lot you can do. But if they are actually getting into the van, something is not sealed around the frame.
it seems as if there is a gap between the roof and the plastic cover and they are getting under there from outside and once they are in the cant get out. I do pull the fly screen over all the time and thats how they are stuck between the fly screen and the roof light... Its hard to explain without pictures but its horrible.
Yes they are visible from inside the van, if the fly screen wasnt there they would fly around the van. You hear them buzzing and trapped in the corners are flies. I have to open the roof light to let them out. It happens on both of the roof lights not just one.
This is how it is meant to be. Look carefully and there will definitely be a path for air inside the van to vent out. Some older roof lights have a double skin to achieve this; others a single skin, but the leading edge will have a seal on the fixed part to prevent ingress on the move, but the rear part doesn't.
Sounds like it is your location that is the problem rather than the van - is it on a farm?
Hi chrisn7.
That is just what david the caravan service man said. I rang him this afternoon and he said the caravan got to have air flow and the heiki lights have the air flow and its not safe to block them up especially if I am using the gas appliances. We are plagued with the horse flies so he suggested a horse fly repellent or a fine mesh to pop over the roof lights when i am leaving the van or move the caravan somewhere else, but I dont really want to do that. The mesh has to have something to hold it down obviously. {Get your thinking caps on people}
Don't your roof lights have a mesh? Some have a roller type that pulls out from one side. Others have one that clips in / is hinged on one side. They are usually available at your local dealer shop if missing.
We occasionally get flies above the flyscreen but that's exactly why they call it a flyscreen. I just tip the screen down slightly then tip the dead insects into a bucket or vacuum the mesh if on electric hook up.
What size flies are you referring to, insects the size of common house flies or just the tiny fruit flies you often find in the countryside?