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Topic: Mysterious Water Leak (Read 690 times) previous topic - next topic

Mysterious Water Leak

Hello All,
I've been a lurker here for many years, but have never posted. Haven't met most of you but we did spend some time in Quartzite this winter and met up with a few outstanding Foretravelers. Everybody except for that Twig guy.  :>)

Unfortunately, I discovered a water leak in our unit this morning and I can't quite figure it out. We are in the Dallas, TX area in a campground and there were bad thunderstorms last night with heavy wind and rain. This morning I noticed the carpet was wet between the couch and the kitchen. Underneath the sink is bone dry, so pretty sure it's not from a leaky pipe. I was up on the roof and there are no roof penetrations in that area

Could rain leak down the wall from the roof seam and onto the floors? Everything looks pretty well caulked up around the roof seam and trim piece. Could it possibly coming in the kitchen window then leaking down the walls onto the floors? I'm at a loss and have done some forum searching but am not finding any answers.

Thanks!
Kevin
Kevin and Donna
2000 Foretravel U295 Build #5613
2002 Jeep Wrangler
Motorcader #18561

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #1 –
Kevin,

Welcome.

Please tell us what coach you have.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #2 –
One possibility of many.  The windows have rounded corners and the openings they are mounted in have square corners.  Their is not much room for error in the gasket installation.

The window gasket stinks over time.  Use a very thin feeler gauge and make sure the gaskets have not pulled back from the edge of the windows at the corners.  The gaskets should be flush with the edge of the window frame.  Only takes a few minutes. 

I recommend everyone check their coaches.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #3 –
Do you have a living room slide?

If so  inspect the fiberglass on the outside, around the slideout opening.  If any gaps at bottom and/or 1/4 of the way up the sides, seal it up, to the edge of the slideout gasket.. 
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #4 –
'Sup doods? Could it have come in through an AC seal? Thanks again for all the food.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #5 –
Also in those years, common for the slide to "bow" in the middle at the top, which can cause a small leak sometimes intermittent.
A twig or anything on the top surface of the slide that co  it is interfere with the slide seal can also be a source.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #6 –
Not sure why my profile is not posting at the bottom of my posts. I have the info in there. We have a 2000 U295, no slides.

Hey Twig! If it came through an A/C seal, wouldn't there be water running down the walls on the inside of the coach that would be evident? I'm just asking, I don't know. I checked underneath the drawers in the kitchen that are closest to the couch and yes the floor is damp under there too.

What a pain!

I also have another leak in the very front of the coach between the cabinet that used to house the TV and the one beside it. There is no gap there, but water is seeping down and landing on the dash, steering wheel and floor. The space above where the water is coming out is hollow, where the TV and A/V equipment used to be. I have felt all over in there and cannot find any dampness, so it is not coming straight down. Frustrating!

Kevin
Kevin and Donna
2000 Foretravel U295 Build #5613
2002 Jeep Wrangler
Motorcader #18561

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #7 –
No slides .
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #8 –
If your refrigerator is on the same side as your leak check inside the side vent panel, if the wind blew the rain in it could find it's way down into the coach.  On my coach there was a low area directly inside the opening that I filled with Dicor self leveling to direct any water that may get in back out.
Bill and Marsha Kuykendall
1999 Foretravel U320 36' CAI
Build Number 5446
2006 Lexus GX 470

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill and Marsha –
If your refrigerator is on the same side as your leak check inside the side vent panel, if the wind blew the rain in it could find it's way down into the coach.  On my coach there was a low area directly inside the opening that I filled with Dicor self leveling to direct any water that may get in back out.


Bill,
Fridge is on opposite side of the coach.

Thanks
Kevin
Kevin and Donna
2000 Foretravel U295 Build #5613
2002 Jeep Wrangler
Motorcader #18561

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #10 –
Possible places coming from

AC unit gasket. You would be surprised how far the water travels from there.
Refrig vent  Roof and or side one
Windows themselves or window seals
Seam between roof and side wall  It can look like it is sealed good but may not. Also could be coming in from screw holes holding trim on. 
Wall trim on side.
trim around pipe vent.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #11 –
Quote from: kjsifer –

I also have another leak in the very front of the coach between the cabinet that used to house the TV and the one beside it. There is no gap there, but water is seeping down and landing on the dash, steering wheel and floor.

Clearance lights
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #12 –
For the front like Michelle said, clearance lights. Also check sealant on the front cap, air horn mounting screws, any antenna mounts..
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #13 –
Around the side view mirror mounts

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃
 

Re: Mysterious Water Leak

Reply #14 –
any marker light - I had a high up one on the rear leak a few times.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)