Corner Leak Email Thread (newest to oldest)
From: Dave Smith
Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2006 10:36 AM
To: Bill Marshall
Subject: RE: Corner Leaks - Rain Tested
Bill,
I was at Camping World yesterday & picked up some white plastic
gutter spouts (www.jrprvinc.com) #389PW-A. This isn't the intended
use but they do have a flat back I could glue to the side of the
roof panel next to the weatherstrip & may serve the purpose. They
come in a pack of four with 2 ea. left & right versions so I can
orient the drain properly. I'll advise if they work & send some
pix.
-Dave
==============================================================================================
From: Bill Marshall
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 7:59 AM
To: Dave Smith
Subject: Corner Leaks - Rain Tested
Dave,
We had several thunderstorms pass through over night with about
3/4" in downpours judging from the pool level and driveway
gullies.
I just inspected the corners of the trailer and they're perfectly
dry. I have the little gutters on both sides now. They seem to be
solidly attached but I haven't had them on the highway. I made
them from clothes dryer duct. Until I can find something prettier
I am going to leave them there.
Plastic U channels may be available from glass and window
suppliers. They're apparently used as screen tracks. I have to
make trip to the city next week and will check it out. If I can
find some I may put on enough to make eaves troughs to the end of
the trailer. The current left side gutter is above the water
heater access panel and although there is no evidence of a
problem, it may be better to divert the water elsewhere.
Bill
==============================================================================================
From: Bill Marshall
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 8:36 PM
To: Dave Smith
Subject: Re: Corner Leaks
Dave,
It clears the front section with a few inches to spare.
I have the diverters on mine too. I don't think they are deep
enough to handle it. I think a U or J shape no less than 1/2" on
the bottom and unattached side is required.
I noticed that when the volume of water off the roof is high
enough it pours off in a graceful arch. As the volume is reduced
it starts to flow over the surface but still has enough depth to
overwhelm a small gutter.
I'll let you know if I stumble across anything.
Bill
==============================================================================================
From: Dave Smith
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 7:42 PM
To: Bill Marshall
Subject: RE: Corner Leaks
Bill,
A picture is worth a 1,000 words! Question: when you fold down the
roof does the gutter clear the front section? Or is it far enough
back not to interfere? My rig came from the factory with some
plastic diverters in each corner...I wonder if we can find some of
that?
- Dave
==============================================================================================
From: Bill Marshall
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 6:40 AM
To: Dave Smith
Subject: Re: Corner Leaks
Hi Dave,
I think I have a non-destructive solution. After trying a number
of options I made and installed a small 4.5" lightweight "V"
shaped gutter on the side of the roof panel. I glued it in place
with some non-silicone caulk. When tested with a garden hose not a
drop runs down into the corner. I intend to replace it with
something heavier. I think a square bottom small plastic channel
would probably work. If I can't find something like that I'll make
one out of heavier aluminum sheet. Any channel fairly open and
with a cross section equal to or greater than the valley of the
roof gasket should work.
Bill
==============================================================================================
From: Bill Marshall
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 8:32 PM
To: Dave Smith
Subject: Re: Corner Leaks
Dave,
Thanks or getting back to me.
I don't have the awning channel on mine.
There seems to be enough room to cut a drainage 'V' into high side
of the roof gasket as the front roof panel hits it pretty much in
the middle. However I don't know what would happen when the panels
shrink a bit in colder weather. They might expose the notch and
compromise the seal as you suggested.
I am currently thinking of a way of filling in the "valley" to
allow the water to flow over the gasket. A few layers of caulking
would probably do it. I'll probably use something fairly easy to
remove (window putty?) if it doesn't work out. If it does I'll
find something more permanent.
Bill
==============================================================================================
From: Dave Smith
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 8:11 PM
To: Bill Marshall
Subject: RE: Corner Leaks
Hello Bill,
I've pretty much ignored the corner leak issue lately, opting to
cover the trailer with a waterproof tarp when not in use since
last Fall. Now that the season is almost on us I need to get back
into it.
Your observations are interesting because it would better explain
how the water seems to be running down the sidewall. My theory was
the awning rail was acting as a diverter, but I like yours better
because it would explain why A) non-awning people are having this
problem and B) it appears consistently with both Chalet's and
Aliners!
A good fix might be tricky: notching to provide drainage would
probably compromise the water seal (parking downhill in the rain
when closed might be problematic) and there's not much room for a
diverter as it must clear the forward roof section. I wonder if
gluing a small rubber damn on either end to block the flow of
water might help? You could run a 1" x 2" piece vertically along
the edge of the roof, which would force any water collected above
the seal to pool up until it overflowed down the entire panel. In
practice it would probably overflow in the low spot, but it least
it would be on the roof plane and not down the side. I may try
this - pretty easy to test with a garden hose.
What do you think?
-Dave
==============================================================================================
From: Bill Marshall
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 9:16 AM
To: Dave Smith
Subject: Corner Leaks
Hi Dave,
I have been studying your leak repair on your web site. I see you
still had some issues with it last October. How is it working out?
If your leak works like mine I suspect you may still be getting
some water inside.
Not being particularly bright I stood out in a downpour to try and
figure out what was happening.
The rubber roof panel gasket - the one on the rear roof panel that
the front roof panel rests on when the unit is closed, in the
upright position forms a valley which diverts the rainwater to the
low side of the unit. The stream instead of falling to the ground
runs along the roof panel edge a foot or two and then actually
turns under the edge and follows the rubber weather stripping
until it hits and runs behind the "beauty plate' and into the
interior. The open cell foam also assists in wicking the water in.
I'm leaning towards improvising some kind of drip rail or notching
the heavy roof gasket.
Bill