water on inside back step

Section for discussion of Chinook interior and appliance issues, repair or installation.
buddyboy
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Joined: December 27th, 2016, 9:32 am

water on inside back step

Post by buddyboy »

The back door has been resealed and roof has been checked. Yes, I over filled the water tank but it has since been drained and rv dried out. It is parked on a 20 degree slant to the back and it occurs when it rains. No sign of water anyplace else. Any ideas?
Manitou
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Re: water on inside back step

Post by Manitou »

Seems like a stretch, but I had a leak from the outside fridge vent cover area. The outside seal had pulled away from the firmer glass shell and rain came in down under the fridge.. like I said.. it seems like a stretch, but I guess it could make its way to the back with a 20 degree slope.
buddyboy
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Joined: December 27th, 2016, 9:32 am

Re: water on inside back step

Post by buddyboy »

Thank you. I will check it out.
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kdarling
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Re: water on inside back step

Post by kdarling »

Is the curved head bumper above the door wet as well?

Mine used to leak during strong storms and drip onto the step.

Resealing the top rear running lights above the door didn't fix it, as I hoped.

Eventually I took a chance and resealed the ladder roof flanges off to the side, and bam the leak stopped. Apparently it was flowing along under the inside of the fiberglass roof over to the door.
1994 Concourse dinette, Ford 7.5L (460 V8)
buddyboy
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Joined: December 27th, 2016, 9:32 am

Re: water on inside back step

Post by buddyboy »

Thank you. I will check this out as well. So appreciate this help.
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jeanie19
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Re: water on inside back step

Post by jeanie19 »

A few years ago my rear step got very wet when it rained, re-caulking around the hatch behind the spare tire stopped that leak. On that note, it seems that the dicor tape or whatever the hatch frames were originally set with is failing after 12-15 years. Have had to caulk around the rear hatch, the battery/storage hatch and the refer hatch including the joint between the hatch frame and the hatch floor.
Jeanie K.
2000 Chinook Concourse
Plank flooring, Wave heater, CO cubby
buddyboy
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Joined: December 27th, 2016, 9:32 am

Re: water on inside back step

Post by buddyboy »

Thank you! Thank you! My rv is a 99 and I just got it so I have not had a clue What type of caulking did you use?
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jeanie19
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Re: water on inside back step

Post by jeanie19 »

I isolated the leaks with electrical tape, then had the RV shop do the caulking when it was in for service next. A good thing is to have the roof and whole rig inspected so that any possible leaks are caught before they happen. Don't know what caulk was used, but keep hearing to not use silicone because nothing will stick there in the future. Am hoping that Blue will chime in, he has good caulk knowledge and advice.
Jeanie K.
2000 Chinook Concourse
Plank flooring, Wave heater, CO cubby
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Blue~Go
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Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: water on inside back step

Post by Blue~Go »

Caulking (or, bedding/re-bedding as we'd say in the boating world). How can I resist? :mrgreen:

Yes, I say fie on silicone. It doesn't work super well for what we're doing, and it is a bear to get off when you (will) need to re-seal the item. And as if that wasn't enough, it's the gift that keeps on giving with an invisible "silicone oil" contaminant that is next to impossible to remove. Good luck ever painting, or getting new bedding to stick -- or even getting more silicone to stick (as if you'd want to). Can you tell I love it? :lol:

Another thing that I find curious about the typical bedding job (done even by manufacturers and RV shops). They put bedding on TOP of the item. If there's anything that's hard on bedding/seals it's boats. They are almost never stored indoors, rarely in the shade, and when they move they twist and wrack. Plus "green water" often pours over them (i.e. not just rain or spray, but actual "solid" water). You can always tell when someone tried to put a "quick fix" on something that was leaking because you'll see caulking around the outside of the item. This is not something you normally see on boats, because it basically doesn't work. So after a while they admit defeat and do it the proper way. I'm sure I sound high and mighty, but the proper way works! Putting caulk on top or around the edge is sort of like putting a band aid on your cut, then putting the Neosporin over the top and edges of the band aid :?

There can be variations here, depending on what one is bedding, the underlying surface and other details, but the basic idea is this:

1) Remove item that needs re-bedding (whether it be a preventative job or fixing a leak).

2) Clean up both surfaces (for example the underside of a window or roof vent flange, and the area of the RV that will be under the flange when you reinstall. This might involve scraping, solvents, and/or cursing (if there is silicone there :roll: ).

3) Choose a bedding compound. For the vast majority of things I'm bedding to fiberglass that also have mechanical fastening, I choose good* butyl tape (bad butyl tape doesn't work very well). I have also used polyurethane, polysulfide, and polyether caulks in various circumstances.

4) Note that whichever bedding compound you choose may have specific solvent notes affecting the last prep step.

5) Mask off if desired (blue tape, etc.)

6) I like to clean fasteners, especially if new (they often have machine oil on them). Then if using butyl I'll make a little upside down cone of butyl under the head (this is the only sealant that you could say sort of goes on top).

7) Apply bedding (oftentimes to the bottom of the flange, but sometimes on the "deck," depending.

8) Tighten fasteners in appropriate pattern. If using butyl don't tighten "all the way," especially if it's cold out. Tighten to put some pressure on it, and then let that pressure "work" for a few days, then re-tighten, then maybe repeat. Anything like polyurethane that is "gooey" and cures I do tighten down all the way right away.

9) Clean up as appropriate (if butyl, you can wait until the last tightening; if something like polyurethane, I remove all squeeze out right away (you want to use plenty of polyurethane and get ample squeeze out. You can also clean up squeeze out from around the screw heads.

That's basically it. All your bedding is tidily protected under the flange, where its doing its job.

Any specific questions I can try to answer.

Here is a good tutorial from a sailor. I tried to keep it simple above, so didn't say everything, but he has some good additional tips on beveling the holes, and etc. Another consideration is closing out the core in cored areas, but that's perhaps "TMI" at the moment.

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware

He also sells the good butyl tape (only place I can find it anymore, and I've tried quite a few):

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/buy_bedit_butyl_tape
1999 Concourse
buddyboy
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Joined: December 27th, 2016, 9:32 am

Re: water on inside back step

Post by buddyboy »

Thanks for responding.
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