Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Roof Leaks
| Roof Leaks [message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 16:31  |
pzerkel
Messages: 212
Registered: September 2007
Location: Salisbury, IL
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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OK, we are starting to use the coach a little more this summer. This past weekend was the first time that we were out camping in a serious rainstorm. The time has come to stop procrastinating! While I have made some feeble attempts at leak control, I'll admit most of my leak control to date has consisted of a few strategically placed buckets.
I keep hearing that it is impossible to stop ALL the leaks. I can accept that, but MY GOODNESS MAN, it has to be able to get better than it is now! If not, I might be lured to the dark side in a SOB. I was taking shelter in a 1991 travel trailer that was staying dryer than the GMC was! (and my wife was in the GMC with three pre-teen girls on a church campout). Wife not happy camper!!
So I have procured a squirrel cage blower. What I do not have and cannot find is the tubing to get the air into a window.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10107&cat=3874
Do I really need that or can I just set the blower on a ladder next to the window?
What do I need to seal for the pressure test? refrigerator vents, dash a/c vents, plumbing vents, what about the fans in the bathroom and living room?
I currently have the rear headliner out. I have seen some pictures of people using drain tubing to go from the gutter through the floor. I would like to do that. But I am having a very hard time getting a drill square to make a hole up there. Do I need a right angle drill bit? It does not seem like there is enough width to get a 3/8" pipe thread in there. If it matters I have a 78. Did the gutters get any skinnier in the later years?
I know I have some holes were I moved clearance lights that are currently just duct taped over. I will start with putting some real sealant in those holes. But I need to figure out a way to do the pressure test, and to get some drain hoses installed in this, or else.
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88576 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 16:38  |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| pzerkel wrote on Mon, 14 June 2010 16:31 |
So I have procured a squirrel cage blower. What I do not have and cannot find is the tubing to get the air into a window.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10107&cat=3874
Do I really need that or can I just set the blower on a ladder next to the window?
I currently have the rear headliner out. I have seen some pictures of people using drain tubing to go from the gutter through the floor. I would like to do that. But I am having a very hard time getting a drill square to make a hole up there. Do I need a right angle drill bit? It does not seem like there is enough width to get a 3/8" pipe thread in there. If it matters I have a 78. Did the gutters get any skinnier in the later years?
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There are some pictures around somewhere with the blower on a ladder and cardboard and duct tape used to make a duct to the window, and cardboard to block off the window where the duct did not fill it.
GeorgeR of Chicago has a Palm Beach where he installed internal gutters and drains. I hope he will see this and chime in on how he did it. Also hopefully he will have pictures. It looked like a slick way to go when I saw it.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88583 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 17:43 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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typical leak spots are the clearance lights and the two seams across the top at the front and back. next popular spot is along the right side where the awning attaches; then around the windshield. the windows leak if the drain channels are not cleared. i believe the coach can be made leak proof but it takes some doing and don't go off thinking an SOB doesn't have leaks.
i had a clearance light that poured water into the rear of the coach. unbelievable amount. got it stopped with a little 5200 sealer.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks [message #88588 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 19:06 |
peter bailey
Messages: 367
Registered: March 2009
Location: Gawler, South Australia
Karma: 0
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Paul,
Make sure your fibreglass end caps are sealed to the main frame across the
top a source of bad leaks which generally run to the sides of the coach due
to the shape. They are held tight together with bolts and some of mine were
rusted to the point they allowed the seams to open and PO just filled the
gaps and didn't fix the actual problem.
Peter Bailey
from Ozy (Aussie)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Zerkel" <gmc2@zerkelhome.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 15, 2010 7:01 AM
Subject: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks
>
>
> OK, we are starting to use the coach a little more this summer. This past
> weekend was the first time that we were out camping in a serious
> rainstorm. The time has come to stop procrastinating! While I have made
> some feeble attempts at leak control, I'll admit most of my leak control
> to date has consisted of a few strategically placed buckets.
>
> I keep hearing that it is impossible to stop ALL the leaks. I can accept
> that, but MY GOODNESS MAN, it has to be able to get better than it is now!
> If not, I might be lured to the dark side in a SOB. I was taking shelter
> in a 1991 travel trailer that was staying dryer than the GMC was! (and my
> wife was in the GMC with three pre-teen girls on a church campout). Wife
> not happy camper!!
>
> So I have procured a squirrel cage blower. What I do not have and cannot
> find is the tubing to get the air into a window.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10107&cat=3874
>
> Do I really need that or can I just set the blower on a ladder next to the
> window?
>
> What do I need to seal for the pressure test? refrigerator vents, dash a/c
> vents, plumbing vents, what about the fans in the bathroom and living
> room?
>
> I currently have the rear headliner out. I have seen some pictures of
> people using drain tubing to go from the gutter through the floor. I would
> like to do that. But I am having a very hard time getting a drill square
> to make a hole up there. Do I need a right angle drill bit? It does not
> seem like there is enough width to get a 3/8" pipe thread in there. If it
> matters I have a 78. Did the gutters get any skinnier in the later years?
>
> I know I have some holes were I moved clearance lights that are currently
> just duct taped over. I will start with putting some real sealant in those
> holes. But I need to figure out a way to do the pressure test, and to get
> some drain hoses installed in this, or else.
>
>
> --
> Paul Zerkel
> '78 Eleganza II
> Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88591 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 19:23 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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If it ain't leaking, it ain't an RV... mine leaked from the top of the windows something fierce. Had to used some RTV stuff to get it plugged. They flooded through those holes. Got them plugged and I guess a few bumps down the road opened up the sides, have since resealed all the windows. Also got some leaks through the clearance lights. Took them all off and put on new sealed LED lights. That solved that problem. Still get some leaks, namely around the door (it always puddles in the bottom of the window track, can't figure that one out) and up where the cap meets the headliner up front. Must be the joint but I haven't solved that one yet either. I think there's still one in the back somewhere over the driver's rear, maybe the cap joint again. Probably some more. Don't think I'll ever get them all...
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88597 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 20:42 |
Ernest Dankert
Messages: 133
Registered: May 2007
Location: Ogden, New York
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Here is what I did to make mine leak free.
1) Pulled the rear A/C and bent the flange back; it must have leaked from day one; could not see unless the unit was pulled up.
2) Pull and seal all the clearance lights with butyl rubber tape.
3) Fill each pop rivet with your favorite sealer.
4) Fill and seal each A+E awning attachment point; I would not consider an A+E awning for a GMC, BTW. Do not allow a clearance light to contact the awning frame or any other ground source.
Think like a raindrop.
1977 Eleganza II
Ogden NY
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88606 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 21:45 |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I did install the interior drains/gutters on my Palm Beach, and basically ran some plastic channel (actually some surface electrical plastic conduit) along the seams under the front and end caps. At the outer edge of the coach I used a heat gun to soften the plastic to shape it into a cone shape to install into plastic tubing that ran down along the outer wall through the floor.
In addition, I drilled and tapped the end of the roof extrusion to help channel any leaks into more drains. There is not a lot of room to get into the channel, but it can be done with a long extension for the drill bit and tap. A bit of putty can then be installed to seal the end of the channel behind the drain tube. Unfortunately, I did not take any photos and have since sealed over the area. I did find some on the photo site that gave me the idea.
Basically, assume that the joints will eventually leak and try to channel the water under the coach! It's been working so far, and my coach was quite leaky when I first acquired it.
Enjoy your project in good health!
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks [message #88613 is a reply to message #88575] |
Mon, 14 June 2010 22:14 |
Kosier
Messages: 834
Registered: February 2008
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Paul,
I made a bracket to mount a furnace fan in the passenger side
window. Put a piece of foam on it to seal it to the window.
A lot of air came out the louvers in the reefer door, so I laid a
sheet of foam on the inside of it. A spray bottle and the
grandkids jug of bubble solution and, VOILA!, found lots of
leaks. Wally-World has the bubble solution on sale.
Gary Kosier
77EII & 77PB
Newark, Ohio
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Zerkel" <gmc2@zerkelhome.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2010 5:31 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks
>
>
> OK, we are starting to use the coach a little more this summer.
> This past weekend was the first time that we were out camping
> in a serious rainstorm. The time has come to stop
> procrastinating! While I have made some feeble attempts at leak
> control, I'll admit most of my leak control to date has
> consisted of a few strategically placed buckets.
>
> I keep hearing that it is impossible to stop ALL the leaks. I
> can accept that, but MY GOODNESS MAN, it has to be able to get
> better than it is now! If not, I might be lured to the dark
> side in a SOB. I was taking shelter in a 1991 travel trailer
> that was staying dryer than the GMC was! (and my wife was in
> the GMC with three pre-teen girls on a church campout). Wife
> not happy camper!!
>
> So I have procured a squirrel cage blower. What I do not have
> and cannot find is the tubing to get the air into a window.
>
> http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=10107&cat=3874
>
> Do I really need that or can I just set the blower on a ladder
> next to the window?
>
> What do I need to seal for the pressure test? refrigerator
> vents, dash a/c vents, plumbing vents, what about the fans in
> the bathroom and living room?
>
> I currently have the rear headliner out. I have seen some
> pictures of people using drain tubing to go from the gutter
> through the floor. I would like to do that. But I am having a
> very hard time getting a drill square to make a hole up there.
> Do I need a right angle drill bit? It does not seem like there
> is enough width to get a 3/8" pipe thread in there. If it
> matters I have a 78. Did the gutters get any skinnier in the
> later years?
>
> I know I have some holes were I moved clearance lights that are
> currently just duct taped over. I will start with putting some
> real sealant in those holes. But I need to figure out a way to
> do the pressure test, and to get some drain hoses installed in
> this, or else.
>
>
> --
> Paul Zerkel
> '78 Eleganza II
> Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88712 is a reply to message #88575] |
Tue, 15 June 2010 16:40 |
pzerkel
Messages: 212
Registered: September 2007
Location: Salisbury, IL
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Last spring, one thing I did do is look at the seem on the front of the roof. Several rivets had popped out. I replaced those, and put some C-10 sealant in that seem. I honestly thought that slowed the leaks at that time.
But now the leaks there are just as bad as ever. I went up and looked at that seem last night. There are now lots of holes in that bead of sealant. That bead looked pretty good last spring. I suspect it may be because I have been driving the coach more and the flexing may have pulled the sealant bead. There also was one rivet missing, which I did replace.
Should I try to dig out as much of the old C10 as I can before I try to put more sealant in it. I have another tube of C10 and one of the 3m 5200. Is asking which to use the same as asking which tires to use??
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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| Re: Roof Leaks [message #88731 is a reply to message #88575] |
Tue, 15 June 2010 18:07 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I have made some feeble attempts at leak control, I'll admit most of my leak control to date has consisted of a few strategically placed buckets.
________________________________________________________
I was working on the GMC in my yard one warm Summer day. I took a moment to lay down back on the bed and it started to rain....
after a few minutes, I could hear a drip, then another. I looked and found the drops a-drippin from the trim above the passenerside rear window. It turned out to be a clearance light leak.
Another spot to check is the seam between the front cap and the center roof and the center roof and the rear cap. When I looked at it, the sealant was all gone.
Actually, my experience has been pretty good. seal anything that has a hole in the roof, rack supports ladder, clearance lights ( I dont trust the rubber, used sealant around the base to seal to the roof), the windows may need sealing too. When I checked mine, the tops had nothing. I am guessing when GM installed them, the seal was behind the aluminum. As I was not going to take all the windows out, I sealed around the frames.
One roofing company told me to raise the Air Con on top of 3/4" riser on the roof. the riser is sealed like a part of the roof and the foam seal and AC sit on top of the riser. They said a large amount of leaks come from that seal failing. The riser wont let the water get inside.
Another spot is check the drains in the window channels. The rubber comes solid with no drain holes. The PO installed the rubber with no holes for the water to drain out so I had some water problems until I cut the drain holes in.
I won't say all my leaks are gone, but I have not seen any leaks since my last attack on the leaks I knew of.
Good luck, hope this helps
LarC ( Keeping dry when the rain man cometh )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks [message #88739 is a reply to message #88712] |
Tue, 15 June 2010 18:48 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Paul,
I'd vote for the 5200; the C-10 is designed to flow and will probably
continue to do so for a long time -- like yours has. I'd definitely
dig out as much old stuff as possible.
Ken H.
On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 5:40 PM, Paul Zerkel <gmc2@zerkelhome.com> wrote:
...
> Should I try to dig out as much of the old C10 as I can before I try to put more sealant in it. I have another tube of C10 and one of the 3m 5200. Is asking which to use the same as asking which tires to use??
> --
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: [GMCnet] Roof Leaks [message #88783 is a reply to message #88756] |
Tue, 15 June 2010 22:59 |
pzerkel
Messages: 212
Registered: September 2007
Location: Salisbury, IL
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| ljdavick wrote on Tue, 15 June 2010 20:17 |
I wonder why the rivet's are popping out. Could the body pads be missing in the front causing the body to flex?
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Yes...several body pads are missing. I have a new set in a box. Never thought about that indirectly causing the leaks problem.
Paul Zerkel
'78 Eleganza II
Salisbury IL (near Springfield)
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