Check Sealant to Maintain Your RV
By Greg Dewalt Every RV should have a sealant check performed twice a year . Here is a list of things you can do :
• Walk around the exterior and check the roof . Carefully look at all sealants . Be sure to pay special attention to the water runoff paths on your RV .
• Check all windows , doors , moldings and trim . Thoroughly inspect roof sealants around vents , antennas , roof racks , ladders , and edges . Pay special attention to transition sealants where the front and rear attached to the roof .
• Touch and feel all the sealants if you can . They should be soft and flexible , not brittle , or hard . Look for signs of drying or cracking sealant material .
• Check for any visible voids in the sealant material ; look for signs of brown or rust colored residue .
• Pull off the vinyl screw cover and check for any rusted screws or brown or rusty residue .
• On hard wall RVs , look down the side walls for any signs of bubbles , soft spots , or delamination , especially under windows or compartment doors .
• Check the interior . Look for signs of water : water tracks , puddles on countertops , discoloration on fabrics , mattresses , and drapes ; gray discolored sections of vinyl floor covering . Pay special attention to the area under the mattress in the cabover of Class C motorhomes . The front windows , the counter under the stove exhaust vent , and the outside compartments .
• Use your nose . Any sign of mildewy smell indicates water damage . Do not stop looking until you find the source of the smell .
• Check around roof vents and interior ceiling for any sign of water . Wavy , soft , or rippled ceilings mean water damage .
• Check the floor closely . Look for soft spots or discoloration . check the doorway , door jamb and outside compartments with a sharp eye .
• On hard wall RVs , check interior wallboard under windows for any signs of water “ pimpling ,” or small bumps in the wallpaper , or discoloration .
• Check all windows to be sure the drain vents , or weep holes , are clear and working . Most windows are designed to allow some water to flow in and channel out through these vents or weep holes . Be sure the drain path is clear .
indoor
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Pennsylvania ’ s Newest Indoor Storage Facility
Reasonable Rates Convenient to I-81 in Chambersburg , PA
Fire Rings , Playground , Pool , Snack Bar , Store , Laundry , Horseshoe Pit , Planned Activities ( weekends ), Game Room , Recreation Hall , Trails , Volleyball , Wooded Sites
Be observant . Whenever you are in or around your RV , look for signs of any kind of problems and act if any are found . All the signs above are indications of some water damage . If you suspect water is getting in , get your RV checked ! Do not wait for a problem to get more serious and costly . Fix it now !
Your RV service center will perform a detailed sealant check and provide you with a report of your RV ' s current sealant condition including repairs needed and any problem areas that should be monitored closely . The same technicians who do the major water damage repairs , perform the inspections . They have experienced dealing with the most common trouble spots . The recommendation is to have this done twice a year at a minimum . 28 | EXPLORE Pennsylvania 2021
610-381-3381 or 800-635-0152
Located near Beltzville Lake & 18 miles from Pocono Raceway .