Roof leak. What to do?

[rsmith]

We bought a very used Sunlite Sable PU last year.  Put it away for storage and opened up this spring only to find a section of the contact paper on the ceiling falling down.  Upon further inspection, the wood under the paper is stained and when you run your hand across it, it leaves black on your hand.  Also, some of the fibers of the wood are opened up and hanging down.

My question is:  how serious is this?  Is it bad for our health?  Does it have to be completely replaced (the wood I mean).

The seams were caulked in the past and they may be leaking but i found a small pin-hole in the roof and it may be leaking there also.

Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this and what to do in the future?

thanks

Bob, Tina, Elizabeth and Bobby

[NightOwl]

this is an important question and needs to be bumped up because I KNOW someone here has some advice about this!!!

Come on, Gang, let's help with this!!

[MommaMia]

this is an important question and needs to be bumped up because I KNOW someone here has some advice about this!!!

Come on, Gang, let's help with this!!

I thik Cliff posted some pics to one of the Birol threads with headliner replacement photos... I'll go see if I can find them.

[MommaMia]

this is an important question and needs to be bumped up because I KNOW someone here has some advice about this!!!

Come on, Gang, let's help with this!!

I think Cliff posted some pics to one of the Birol threads with headliner replacement photos... I'll go see if I can find them.


Quote Gone-Camping Cliff    "As for ceiling panels, I'd recommend a product called Sani-lite, it's a fiberglass reinforced plastic panel about 1/8" thick, but extremely tuff stuff.
http://www.victory-ln.com/starcraft/roof-1.jpg
http://www.victory-ln.com/starcraft/roof-3.jpg "


As far as the pin hole leak... a little dab of caulk.

Recently, I read in another thread that someone was getting leaks along the seam when the camper was closed but not when it was up.  I guess when the roof was popped up and the stabilizers were down, it lifted up on the ends of the camper just enough to get the seam tight and waterproof.  But then when popped down and no longer held with stabilizers, it let the camper sag ever so slightly and opened up the seam enough to get a leak.  I'd recommend sealing all the seams completely, rather than assume it's just a pin point spot.
Do these help?

[wiininkwe]

I would have to wonder if the black stuff that comes off on your hand is mold or mildew, and in that case could be some kind of a health hazard, or at least cause some allergy problems.  The Pics that Cindy found from Cliff's mods show the ceiling with the roof panels removed. I am afraid that if it were me, I'd take the panels off and clean very good to get rid of any of the black stuff, sea; any holes and openings, and put on new ceiling panels.
T

[MommaMia]

And about the mold.... the black stuff.  Yes, It CAN be toxic.  There are several varieties of mold that are EXTREMELY toxic, even to the point of possibly causing brain damage, I have been told.  I advise either having the mold tested and then "inactivated" with appropriate cleaning solutions ( a mold specialist can help you)  Or better yet, complete removal of the affected materials.  Even after some molds are cleaned with bleach, the spores can remain active and can "bloom" again when you least suspect it. Especially bad if you have compromised respiratory system.

[MommaMia]

I would have to wonder if the black stuff that comes off on your hand is mold or mildew, and in that case could be some kind of a health hazard, or at least cause some allergy problems.  The Pics that Cindy found from Cliff's mods show the ceiling with the roof panels removed. I am afraid that if it were me, I'd take the panels off and clean very good to get rid of any of the black stuff, sea; any holes and openings, and put on new ceiling panels.
T

I think one shows removed panels and the next one shows with the new materials installed... I Think!

[Gone-Camping]

The above post is correct, those were just to show Birol what the ceiling could like like with some Sani-Lite up there, the first was just to show it was a complete re-do. Theres not enough info in this post to determine whether their entire ceiling needs to be ripped out. If it's not spread too far, they may only have to find the leak and seal it, then do some cosmetic work inside. A complete ceiling strip-out and re-do is a major undertaking!!!

[SkipP]

We bought a very used Sunlite Sable PU last year. Put it away for storage and opened up this spring only to find a section of the contact paper on the ceiling falling down. Upon further inspection, the wood under the paper is stained and when you run your hand across it, it leaves black on your hand. Also, some of the fibers of the wood are opened up and hanging down.
 
My question is: how serious is this? Is it bad for our health? Does it have to be completely replaced (the wood I mean).
 
The seams were caulked in the past and they may be leaking but i found a small pin-hole in the roof and it may be leaking there also.
 
Do you have any suggestions on how to fix this and what to do in the future?
 
thanks
 
Bob, Tina, Elizabeth and Bobby

It does sound like mold to me. First thing I'd do is mix some Chlorox bleach and water in a spray bottle (half strength or so) and spray the mold down (no need to soak it). Do this in a ventilated area though and keep it open. Run a fan if possible. Try and dry it out as much as possible because, if you don't, the mold will simply return. Since it sounds like the moisture is coming from above the wood, this may take some time (removing the wood is an option and possibly a necessity, if it won't dry out) Certainly, don't try and re-cover this area until you're sure it's dry. Molds like moisture, darkness and a medium to grow on. Eliminate the first two, find the moisture source (to keep it from happening again), and you should be fine.
 
Good luck.

[rsmith]

thanks everyone and especially the extra effort by nightowl to get this pushed up.  i do very much thank everyone else too.  for sure!

i'll try and let you know what i end up doing.

thanks again

[birol]

Good luck with it. I was looking at the panels at Home Depot a few days ago. Based on the first picture Gone-Caping sent, it wouild not take too much of an effort to get the old panels down and put in new ones. I am guessing a whole weekend should be enough for a project of this size.

Since your panels sounds like they are gone, you might want to consider replacing them. WHat I got is a 1968 Starcraft and definitely needs news panels

[NightOwl]

Recently, I read in another thread that someone was getting leaks along the seam when the camper was closed but not when it was up.  I guess when the roof was popped up and the stabilizers were down, it lifeted up on the neds of the camper just enough to get the seam tight and waterproof.  But then when popped down and no longer held with stabilizers, it let the camper sag ever so slightly and opened up the seam enough to get a leak.  I'd recommend sealing all the seams completely, rather than assume it's just a pin point spot.   Do these help?

Cindy, I am embarrassed not to  know this, but what exactly is a ned?  :J :J :J :-()  :-()  :-()

[MommaMia]

Cindy, I am embarrassed not to  know this, but what exactly is a ned?  :J :J :J :-()  :-()  :-()

Ohhh PBBTTHHTT!!! :p   You big ol' booger head! LOL!!!!!  I fixed it.

[NightOwl]

Ohhh PBBTTHHTT!!! :p   You big ol' booger head! LOL!!!!!  I fixed it.

"Big ol' booger head." ? "BIG OL' BOOGER HEAD"??? :yikes:   Oh, Cindy, you are now a real southerner for sure!!  :-()  :W    :J

Sorry, sweetie, I just couldnt resist.