Leaks!

Shell/Exterior Maintenance, Windows, Gaskets, Awnings, Vent Lids/Covers, Rockguards
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KYAvion
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Leaks!

Post by KYAvion »

So we had 24 hours of steady rain and I discovered a couple leaks. Ugh. One is a drip through the tv antenna crank, so I imagine the source above should be pretty obvious. The other is a small drip along the bottom of the metal trim of the front window on the door side. That one I'm afraid may be tougher to find, since who knows how far the water travels along that trim before reaching the point where it drips. Hopefully it's obvious once that metal trim is removed.
KYAvion
1984 Avion 30R
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Re: Leaks!

Post by Razorback »

Don't leaks just bug the heck out of you?

For what you described, I would start with the upper awning bracket that has the screw-down wheel on it..... maybe the porch light.....the drip rail above the door...... the rail where the awning attaches to the trailer (I had to seal along the bottom edge of that rail to keep water from wicking under the rail. That one fixed a leak that showed itself along the lower edge of the rear bedroom window on the curb side.)

I still have a small leak to fix on ours that shows itself at the top of the front curved window, curb side. I'll be looking at the radio antenna base, the rock guard hinge, and the running lights. The roof seams are sealed well already.

Good luck!
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KYAvion
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Re: Leaks!

Post by KYAvion »

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Mine is the front curved window too. The leak is at the bottom on the door side. Same potential entry points as yours.
KYAvion
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Re: Leaks!

Post by silverloaf »

KYAvion wrote: Sun Dec 24, 2017 9:03 am Sorry, I should have been more clear. Mine is the front curved window too. The leak is at the bottom on the door side. Same potential entry points as yours.
Our trailer consumes the space from the driveway to the detached garage. The front corner lines up with back door of the house. Bad for driveway access but good for observing water flow.

I have seen a lot of water pouring down the front corner from the side awning and front stone guard. In the case of the awning, I have seen a 4"-wide river flow over the right side of the window, the awning bracket and all points below.

In the case of the rock gaurd, I found a frozen stream of water running along the hinge and along the seal of the upper corner of the front window. Interestingly, the stream did not run down the seal; it went outboard before running down the skin. It may have run under the seal at the top but I couldn't see it.

I have moisture damage in the right front corner of the floor. Although there are likely other sources, I believe leaky window rubber seals around the windows contribute heavily to the floor damage. Mine appear to be original so they will be on the top of my list.

I also think its important for me to steer the water away from the windows. I think this can be done with some flashing that directs the water to sections of the skin less vulnerable to moisture penetration.

I'm also working on a fix for the awning bracket. I called ZipDee about my idea. He claims to have used it on a trailer at a camping jamboree.

Bob
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Silverloaf (Bob)
Dawsonville, GA
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Re: Leaks!

Post by Tarnished »

Silverloaf, I've got the same leak same place. Will have to wait until spring. There is some soft floor in the front corner also that will need to be replaced.
The last trip in my Argosy is the next couple of months in fla. Leaving Sun or Mon a m.
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Re: Leaks!

Post by silverloaf »

Safe trip.

Better take tire chains. Florida weather is rather unpredictable these days.
" Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel.”


Silverloaf (Bob)
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KYAvion
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Re: Leaks!

Post by KYAvion »

silverloaf wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:04 pm
I have moisture damage in the right front corner of the floor. Although there are likely other sources, I believe leaky window rubber seals around the windows contribute heavily to the floor damage. Mine appear to be original so they will be on the top of my list.

I also think its important for me to steer the water away from the windows. I think this can be done with some flashing that directs the water to sections of the skin less vulnerable to moisture penetration.

I'm also working on a fix for the awning bracket. I called ZipDee about my idea. He claims to have used it on a trailer at a camping jamboree.

Bob
I may be mistaken, but I think the rubber window seals that go around the windows are purely cosmetic.

I'd be curious to see pics of any flashing you install to divert water away from the windows. What's your fix for the awning bracket?
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Re: Leaks!

Post by silverloaf »

I wasn't aware the window seal was cosmetic. What kept water out of Avion windows?

No ideas for the flashing yet. Integrating functionality with aesthetics will be the challenge.

I'm going to add an attachment screw for the awning bracket where it supports the rafter arm bar.
My theory is the rafter arm bar is putting an upward force on the bracket when wind lifts the awning.
" Faith can move mountains, but don't be surprised if God hands you a shovel.”


Silverloaf (Bob)
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Re: Leaks!

Post by KYAvion »

Are we talking about the rubber piece that covers the screw heads for the window? If so, I believe it is cosmetic, but I'm not positive. Nralifer--can you answer this definitively?

As far as that awning bracket, is it currently riveted in three places? I'll have to look at mine next time.
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Re: Leaks!

Post by KYAvion »

Regarding the rubber moulding over the screws, check out post #20 by Becky. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f417/ou ... 462-2.html
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1984 Avion 30R
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