Roof leaking in bunkhouse

[Medic455]

I have a 2023 529BH Flagstaff and have within the last 2 weeks developed a leak somewhere in the Bunkhouse. We have had some pretty big storms, high winds and tons of rain over that time frame and both times I have awakened to a puddle on the floor. No trails on the walls, and all the bunks are dry. There is an a/c vent in the area of the puddle as it’s almost dead center just inside the door. Everything up top looks good as far as sealant, but I have to find this darn thing before it ruins the roofing. Any thoughts on where else to look would be helpful. I have 2 A/c units, 1 in master the other in main living area. Only thing in bunkhouse is the max air fan and 2 a/c ducts

 

[ChrisParise]

Are the bunks on a slideout?

Where are you seeing water?

Check your slideout roof and wall seams along with the rubber wiper seals on top, sides and bottom

 

[Medic455]

No it is not a slide out. It’s like in middle of floor just inside of the doorway. I’ll get pics later

 

[ChrisParise]

No it is not a slide out. It’s like in middle of floor just inside of the doorway. I’ll get pics later

Ideally you can observe the water puddle being formed.

I have found laying down paper towels on around the puddle area extending them to the walls and then detecting where they get wet first or the most can point you to the source

Of course gets complicated sometimes because water is always seeking pathways downward and could originate a little further away

Something else I would do is take off any vent or ac bezels, inside of course, and see what you can see. Stuff a rolled up piece of paper towel in any open areas and probe around for any damp or wetness

 

[Medic455]

Yeah the first time I found it I thought it was coming from a slide since it is right outside the door and it was closed due to tornado winds. Last night it was open and floor around slide was dry, it was all in a little area right pretty much under that a/c duct in the room. I’m gonna look again when I get back to site and see what I can find. Unfortunately I am currently living in it for work, so I cannot just take it in for repair.

 

[Medic455]

I’m wondering if it’s possible for it to be coming through the a/c unit itself. We had really heavy rain and wind last night and trailer is backed in toward the wind.

 

[ChrisParise]

I’m wondering if it’s possible for it to be coming through the a/c unit itself. We had really heavy rain and wind last night and trailer is backed in toward the wind.

I don't know. Seems unlikely. You're probably level or close to it so even if rain water is flooding the roof it ought not to come in through the ac.

Maybe someone else has had that happen?
Your rig is pretty new right? That doesnt male your roof caulk excellent! Ive seen some terrible caulking from the factory

My 2006 Class C had 4" of snow on the roof about a week ago and it all melted in a few hours water was pouring off over the drivers side gutter rail and I didn't have any leaks.

Good luck let us know.

 

[ChrisParise]

Might want to check your ac bolts. Factory might not have tightened them enough. If loose the outside seal isn't good. Don't overtighten that will crush the seal.

Look for diy video help on tightening them

I didn't have to do this but heard others have

 

[jimmoore13]

My experience:
I had a difficult-to-find leak around my main exhaust fan. I think I finally fixed it on my third try.
What I discovered is that the original lap sealant had a big air bubble in it. Somehow, though the sealant looked solid, water was getting into the bubble and into my rig. I found the bubble, dug away the lap sealant to ensure I'd fill it, and added more lap sealant. The leak appears to have stopped.

How does this apply to your situation? Visual inspection may not be enough. In my case, I had previously re-sealed around the edges of existing lap sealant...on both sides (against the fan housing and at the edge of the lap sealant. I did not heap on lots of sealant on the "main field of sealant" that appeared to be intact.

Last note: Someone recently posted info about using Eternabond tape instead of lap sealant...with a compelling case for the superiority of Eternabond. Since the source of your leak is a mystery, you're stuck guessing. But if you're going to guess, and since my lap sealant failed due to air bubbles, you might consider systematically removing lap sealant and replacing it with Eternabond. Easy and fun? No. Effective? Maybe.

BTW, Cleaning the affected area before adding Eternabond or lap sealant is vital.

 

[kipkohl]

Interesting about the air bubble; I have a leak that is collecting in the inner skylight cover in our shower (GeoPro 20BH). It’s only during heavy rains, and once when I flooded the roof with the garden hose in an attempt to locate the leak.
I have inspected and re-inspected the roofing and lap sealant around the skylight and A/C unit (as there is a big strip of sealant between them that seals both) and can not find any visible defects in the roofing or sealant.
Jimmoore, how did you discover the air bubble?

 

[Larry-NC]

Interesting about the air bubble; I have a leak that is collecting in the inner skylight cover in our shower (GeoPro 20BH). It’s only during heavy rains, and once when I flooded the roof with the garden hose in an attempt to locate the leak.
I have inspected and re-inspected the roofing and lap sealant around the skylight and A/C unit (as there is a big strip of sealant between them that seals both) and can not find any visible defects in the roofing or sealant.
Jimmoore, how did you discover the air bubble?

Kip, you could simply put 2" or 3" wide Eternabond directly over the sealant, all the way around the skylight. Clean the surface well first and let it dry. Place strips on two opposite sides, extending beyond the skylight rim. Roll them down well, using a wallpaper seam roller. Place two more on the other two sides, lapping well over the first two, and roll them as well.

 

[kipkohl]

Thanks Larry, I’ll definitely look into that as a solution.