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Topic: Slide Leak (Read 565 times) previous topic - next topic

Slide Leak

knowing  a storm would come in i closed the slide to make sure that the coach has a tight seal while in the wheater.
I go to the coach this morning and its leaking water inside the coach.

the leak  seams to be in the middle where the center rail is and its leaking from both sides.
took the dinette set off and there was water between  bench and wall.
I checked the top to see if any watertrails was sipping from the top and no leaks there.
so when I ran my finger underneath the window frame there was some water there.
I just ran a brush in the window weeping holes and it travels freely both directions.
how does the water get into the slide and plywood sandwich

I drilled some holes into the floor and hand  cleaned with a drill bit the foam to allow acces to the fiberglass and I made a small vacuum hose and there was water suctioned from the inside of the slide frame.
it appears that water somehow gets in there.
it could not have gotten there by sipping around the seal from the top because there was no trace of water running (was real dusty and would have left a trail mark) of it would have leaked around the seal from the bottom then the water would have leaked on to the floor and that is it.
the water was inside the slide (fiberglass and plywood sandwich)
any idea how to tackle this?
I ran a paper between window rubber and fiberglass and there seems to be a gap.
any ideas?



Re: Slide Leak

Reply #1 –
Pull your slide in, then from outside inspect the outer edge of the slide bladder to the fiberglass.  If no sealant between outer edge of the bladder and the outer layer of fiberglass, rain can and will travel under the bladder into the coach.

Been there done that.

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #3 –
The window seal/gasket shrinks over 20 years. I have round window corners in square wall openings so very little room for error. I have replaced all my window gaskets. Takes about an hour per window most had at least one corner with a compromised seal.

Rich

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #4 –
If you think the slide bladder is leaking, get some no-residue duct tape and tape the gap between the slide and body when the slide is in.  That will stop water from getting in at that gap.  If you still get water, keep looking and taping (window edges) until it stops.

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Rich Bowman –
The window seal/gasket shrinks over 20 years. I have round window corners in square wall openings so very little room for error. I have replaced all my window gaskets. Takes about an hour per window most had at least one corner with a compromised seal.

Rich
does it mean I have to remove the windows to get to that seal.
the other  question is will i have to take  slide cabinets off?

also please let me know what kind of window seal did you use?

thank you Daniel

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #6 –
any window seal products you have used that  work well and hold up well?

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #7 –
Here is a link to a thread where I indicated what window gasket material I used:

Hard to slide side windows.

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #8 –
You must remove the metal inner trim ring from the window.  It is held on by screws every 6" or so.  Then the window will just press out of the opening.  I had to remove the window shades and trim (valences) to get to the entire trim ring. 

The old gasket will probably hold the window in place until you pry it out but I wouldn't count on it.  Have a helper or tape on the outside until you can get out there to catch it. 

The gasket is rubber with an adhesive backing and available from FOT or Xtreme by the foot.  It takes longer to get the old gasket off than to put the new one on.  Don't stretch it when you are sticking it to the window frame.  That will just accelerate any shrinking at the corners that will occur naturally over time.

Then just reverse the process to reinstall.

Rich

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Rich Bowman –


  Have a helper or tape on the outside until you can get out there to catch it. 


Rich

Rich gives a very good description of the process.  All I would add is that these windows are pretty heavy.  So you and your helper, if you have one, should be prepared for this. 

Richard

Re: Slide Leak

Reply #10 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
If you think the slide bladder is leaking, get some no-residue duct tape and tape the gap between the slide and body when the slide is in.  That will stop water from getting in at that gap.  If you still get water, keep looking and taping (window edges) until it stops.
3M barrier tape p/n 8663DL 4" wide
Used this for two years before changing bladder. Worked real good