Roof Leak Help!

[wrenster7]

Hey everyone!
Been looking for help anywhere i can get it!!

I just bought a new to me 1992 Rockwood 1260. We have camped in it twice so far this season. Just this past weekend I thought since it was goingto rain to let it be up in my driveway and glad I did. We have a leak!! Arrgh!!!!

It doesnt seem to be to major, but would like some advise from others out there. Water is dripping from the support pole that holds up the tent. As I took a dry papertowel to it, I found that the water gently sits along the seam in the roof. I would appreciate any ideas on what the issue could be. (Hoping that it is a simple caulking job!)
Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!
Deborah

[flyfisherman]

If that's an aluminum roof, the seams do require re-sealing after a time. But you do want to be careful of what kind of sealant you use, that it will do the job, yet can be removed at a later date should it become necessary.

My Starcraft has an aluminum roof and I have resealed that roof using what was recommended (by Starcraft) - Dow Silicone Sealer #999A.
First removed the old sealant using a plastic putty knife (so it would not scratch the roof finish - available Lowe's or Home Depot), then cleaned the surface using a 70% isopropyl alcohol - won't hurt the painted roof surface - (available in the drug section at Wal-Mart for fifty cents).  Finally, run a bead of the sealant along the seam, wipe off the excess and let it dry.


Fly

[dthurk]

Can you be more precise in the location of the leak?  Is it in the roof itself, the tenting or at the point the tenting joins the roof?  From your description, it sounds like one of the seams in the tenting is leaking, indicating a seam sealer might be effective.  You want to make sure you use a product compatible with your camper.

[dthurk]

Can you be more precise in the location of the leak?  Is it in the roof itself, the tenting or at the point the tenting joins the roof?  From your description, it sounds like one of the seams in the tenting is leaking, indicating a seam sealer might be effective.  You want to make sure you use a product compatible with your camper.

[wrenster7]

It is the hard actually it is the hard top portion of the roof not the canvas. Can I get this sealant anywhere or from a RV dealer? I appreciate the help. Thanks

[tlhdoc]

If you go to a hardware store and explain what you need they should be able to direct you to the right product.  You don't need to go to an RV store to get it.

[dthurk]

It is the hard actually it is the hard top portion of the roof not the canvas. Can I get this sealant anywhere or from a RV dealer? I appreciate the help. Thanks

I don't have any experience with leaks in the hard roof.  I'll defer to others who may have more knowledge of that situation.  Good luck.

[flyfisherman]

It is the hard actually it is the hard top portion of the roof not the canvas. Can I get this sealant anywhere or from a RV dealer? I appreciate the help. Thanks

Assuming your talking an aluminum roof (and I suspect you are), the Dow Silicone Sealant 999A is a top notch product for the job. If you go to Lowe's Bldg. Supply or Home Depot, if they don't have that specific Dow product in stock, you could ask for it's equivalent in a different brand (they should have a product cross over sheet). In fact, Dow makes products for other other brands so you might be getting the same stuff under a different name.

Marine supply stores carry silicone sealants, too, but like RV stores, have a real healthy mark up just because it says "marine" on the label; and sometimes you could buy the same exact product in an automotive body shop supply store for less.

Ought not be that difficult to buy ... you could order it out from Starcraft, too, but then you'd have to pay shipping charges.


Fly

[wrenster7]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate all of your help!