Rain Water leaking in

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

You’re blowing air into the RV through a window, a door or some other opening while all other openings are closed. This pressurizes the area. The air will escape through any cracks. The soapy water will blow bubbles. The gas company checks for leaky fittings using the same principle. You’re not blowing soap into the RV. The air is blowing bubbles out of leaky areas.

U put soapy water around areas that u think is leaking, blow in through window I guess with plastic around to seal,what about big area inside, I understand close slides, doors, windows, do you have to try to seal other areas with plastic to keep air in smaller area

[JWood422]

Think of your RV as a balloon. A BIG balloon. That’s why I initially said leaf blower. But you really don’t need a tremendous amount of pressure inside for the excess air to come out through the leaking seams in the roof. That escaping air will blow bubbles. Close all windows and exterior doors before turning the blower on. And by all I mean every last window and door. You should only need plastic to seal the opening where the blower goes in.

[JWood422]

I edited my previous post to say close all exterior doors. You don’t need to close interior doors.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

I edited my previous post to say close all exterior doors. You don’t need to close interior doors.

I got you! If it is not on roof will it still work?

[JWood422]

Originally Posted by GFAR

I got you! If it is not on roof will it still work?

Yep. Just climb up on the ground and soap up from underneath. Do you have a ladder that short?

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

Yep. Just climb up on the ground and soap up from underneath. Do you have a ladder that short?

Lol! I was talking about around door, outside lights, etc.

[JWood422]

Originally Posted by GFAR

Lol! I was talking about around door, outside lights, etc.

Yep. Should work just about anywhere there’s a leak. And, as an extra added bonus, if you put enough extra pressure you could create some new leaks. (Have your smart phone video camera running.)

[Feel Swift]

Have you checked / caulked where the bright aluminum door sill butts into the side jamb channels? Those are notorious leakers.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by Feel Swift

Have you checked / caulked where the bright aluminum door sill butts into the side jamb channels? Those are notorious leakers.

Will look at closer, I caulked all around door, outside light, receptacle.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

I think the shop vac might be a be better idea than a leaf blower. Too much pressure could cause more problems. Basically you just want some positive pressure in the unit.
So... smaller is probably better in this case.

I guess you still put hose in through window and seal around hose with plastic

[JWood422]

Originally Posted by GFAR

I guess you still put hose in through window and seal around hose with plastic

Yep

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

Yep

Thanks for your help, heard this before but didn’t know how it worked! How do you know when it has built up enough pressure to do any good?
I heard from rv dealer today that he could run the test on if I bring it a day early and it would cost $425 to check an isolated area! It includes diagnostic charges and prices could vary!
I have seal around door, light, receptacle, looked at roof area above door! I’m just trying to solve problem without spending a lot right now!

[JWood422]

Originally Posted by GFAR

Thanks for your help, heard this before but didn’t know how it worked! How do you know when it has built up enough pressure to do any good?
I heard from rv dealer today that he could run the test on if I bring it a day early and it would cost $425 to check an isolated area! It includes diagnostic charges and prices could vary!
I have seal around door, light, receptacle, looked at roof area above door! I’m just trying to solve problem without spending a lot right now!

If your plastic is bulging AT ALL you have enough pressure to blow bubbles. Think about how hard you blow into the little wand to blow bubbles with your kids. It doesn’t take much pressure at all.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by JWood422

If your plastic is bulging AT ALL you have enough pressure to blow bubbles. Think about how hard you blow into the little wand to blow bubbles with your kids. It doesn’t take much pressure at all.

Just don’t want to get to much pressure! That wouldn’t be good at all!

[awaywego]

GFAR
The water could be entering any place above where you notice the water. It is possible to be coming in from the front or opposite side of the coach and doesn’t reveal itself until where you see it.
I think the soap bubble test is an awesome idea. Although a little awkward you could put vacuum/blower in the stove exhaust or dryer exhaust as they might be easier to seal around the hose. Plug the ones not used for the test. Then walk around with a spray bottle of the soapy and spray with gusto. Start on the roof!
Any roof vent may open enough to screw up the test. May need to seal them from the inside. Depends on amount of pressure. Test a bit.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by awaywego

GFAR
The water could be entering any place above where you notice the water. It is possible to be coming in from the front or opposite side of the coach and doesn’t reveal itself until where you see it.
I think the soap bubble test is an awesome idea. Although a little awkward you could put vacuum/blower in the stove exhaust or dryer exhaust as they might be easier to seal around the hose. Plug the ones not used for the test. Then walk around with a spray bottle of the soapy and spray with gusto. Start on the roof!
Any roof vent may open enough to screw up the test. May need to seal them from the inside. Depends on amount of pressure. Test a bit.

Sounds good! Nervous about this!

[awaywego]

I am most concerned with the rubber roof coming up.
Have someone up there before turning on the blower.

[awaywego]

Remember as others said, you only need enough pressure to blow bubbles which isn’t much.

[GFAR]

Originally Posted by awaywego

Remember as others said, you only need enough pressure to blow bubbles which isn’t much.

Wow! I haven’t thought about that![emoji107]

[jd50i]

You don't need to seal every "normal" leak in your RV, just pressurize it enough to show bubbles. You can use a small lawn sprayer to spray the soapy water. It doesn't matter if you have air coming out the stove vent or other places that aren't sealed you are looking for a leak where it should not be.