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Post by wazkaren on Jul 24, 2018 5:52:31 GMT -5
This weekend I noticed a small leak under the dinette bench where the water heater is located (it's a 2017 160RBT). This is my first RV and I still have a lot to learn but I know enough that I need to fix this leak asap. I think I've found a couple area's around the window that is located just above the leak where there is a gap in the sealant. What type of sealant is recommended? Is it something that I could get at a hardware store or should I go to an RV shop to get the right sealant? I'm assuming that I need to remove the old sealant first, and not just cover up the gaps. Any other words of wisdom before I try to patch this? Thanks, Greg ![]()  |
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Post by csp1116 on Jul 24, 2018 17:05:10 GMT -5
Go to an RV or Marine store and get what they recommend. Get a clear sealant.
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Post by nvguy on Jul 25, 2018 0:23:13 GMT -5
Using a popsicle stick gently trim the putty oozing out of the joint, while also pushing it into the gap (don't push to hard on the metal siding, it dents easily). Wipe the area down with paint thinner or mild solvent to remove dirt /goop left by the putty, then apply a bead of silicone RTV caulk around the window. All you want is enough to cover the joint between the window frame and exterior metal. In your case, clear would probably be the best choice.
You might try your local RV dealer to see if you can get a partial tube of silicone from their shop, as it isn't going to take a whole lot to do the job & a caulking gun will allow you to make a nice neat bead rather than trying to use a small "toothpase tube" size.
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 25, 2018 3:00:35 GMT -5
Do not use silicone, future repairs will be unsuccessful. The primary sealing is probably butyl tape, or a foam gasket applied under the flange, and you already know that failed. The proper fix it to remove the window and redo the installation. Pro Flex RV sealant link can be applied after the window is fixed properly. You can find YouTube videos to help you. |
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Post by wazkaren on Jul 25, 2018 6:04:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies everyone. After some further investigation I think the leak is actually coming from around the water heater, not the window. I'm kicking myself that I didn't see this when I picked up the trailer from the dealer but I didn't know what I was doing. It looks like the foam gasket got screwed up during manufacturing and then the caulking job was even worse. As a temp fix I put Pro Flex RV that was recommended by a local RV dealer, and lynnmor, on the hole until I can get the installation redone correctly. After a night of rain there was no leak this morning. I took a look at a couple of YouTube videos on how to redo the installation and it looks like it isn't too difficult. Is this a common issue that the foam installation and caulking job is so bad? Has anyone else seen such a crappy job on their KZs? (Although I guess it's my own fault for not properly inspecting when I bought it...)   |
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Post by mdconvert on Jul 25, 2018 6:24:29 GMT -5
I also had a leak around the water heater. Dealer added caulk to try to fix it, but didn't work.
I found it wasn't installed per the water heater installation instructions. I took off the flange and caulked it (with, I believe butyl tape) per the instructions and, so far, no problems. I don't recall seeing any foam, but I'm not surprised.
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Post by wazkaren on Jul 25, 2018 6:48:44 GMT -5
I took off the flange and caulked it (with, I believe butyl tape) Was it a difficult job? |
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Post by mdconvert on Jul 25, 2018 7:13:15 GMT -5
It was a while ago and I'm going from memory, but I'll do my best.
All in all it wasn't hard, but I took some time to do it right.
I think I used a small piece of aluminum flashing to ensure any water that got under the flashing could not wick back into the hole that was cut for the water heater. I believe the biggest problem with the installation was following the directions for where to use the butyl tape on the flange that goes around the water heater and attaches to the outside of the camper. Look up the directions for your water and follow them and it should fix the problem.
The proflex caulk mentioned in an earlier post is good stuff to put around the outside of the flange. I taped (masking tape) the places I didn't want the proflex to get on and removed the tape soon after applying the caulk and it turned out good.
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Post by wazkaren on Jul 25, 2018 7:17:57 GMT -5
Thanks!
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Post by lynnmor on Jul 25, 2018 8:52:15 GMT -5
Workmanship can vary widely as there is a shortage of qualified workers in the RV industry. The speed at which they are thrown together is also a major problem.
Look where the water drains when working on the water heater. Often it will go right into the wall and cause serious problems in time. Caulk to prevent that issue as well as rain water intrusion.
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Post by wazkaren on Jul 25, 2018 8:57:40 GMT -5
Thanks lynnmor. I'm discovering I'm still in the "I don't know what I don't know" phase when it comes to maintenance and preventing long-term issues.
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Post by nvguy on Jul 25, 2018 23:28:20 GMT -5
Unfortunately, every RV mfg has it's good and bad days, and as Lynnmor said the RV biz is competing with every other industry for workers, so this sort of thing happens.
That foam tape keeps coming back. It didn't work in the past, so putty / butyl tape came back. Apparently someone found a warehouse full of the foam stuff so it's back again. I like butyl tape, yep it's kind of a pain, but it works really well. I haven't tried the proflex, but it looks like a good product.
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Post by wazkaren on Jul 26, 2018 14:36:44 GMT -5
I found the installation instructions for my heater and I just ordered some butyl tape. So I'll give this repair a try.
Thanks,
Greg
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Post by esox07 on Jul 29, 2018 21:16:43 GMT -5
I went through this last year. I got it fixed up with some help on this forum. The one thing you need to understand is that you cannot use standard window materials or proceedures to repair leaks. Our RVs are mobile and as such experience a lot of flexing in the body and frame. Standard silicone will not hold up. You need to use butyl tape and to be reall sure you sealed it up good, some ProFlex sealant. Here is my thread from last year: kzfamilyforum.com/thread/1466/fixing-window-leak |
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Post by Chuck on Jul 31, 2018 9:05:07 GMT -5
Here again i good PDI would have solved the problem as stated as the OP stated ... I can say it enough an wish I could talk to each an every new owner just before they did their PDI, Look everywhere, all over an under, take your time, touchy feely everything ...
Safe travels an happy camping 
Chuck
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Post by esox07 on Jul 31, 2018 12:16:05 GMT -5
I agree Chuck. However, many new RV owners have no idea what to look for. I didn't when I purchased mine. I am not clueless, but unless you have owned RV's in the past, it is hard to know exactly what to look for. If you have a buddy with RV experience, use them.
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Post by lodost on Aug 1, 2018 20:32:22 GMT -5
It is true as a new prospective owner, you don't know what to look for. That is why if, as a RV owner, you would volunteer to tell a friend that is looking for their first RV what to look for or go with them could solve a lot of problems. One thing they could do is to go to pages like this to learn what they might want to look for.
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