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Post by wisconsinjoe on Nov 16, 2021 8:36:35 GMT -8
I've been wondering if folks who have done multiple restorations have seen common areas where water has caused rot. For me, I noticed that anywhere where a "protective" pan of metal has been placed under a floor, or even where a piece of metal has been added from below to repair an opening, the wood above has completely rotted, even more so than surrounding wood. I suspect that water got in and could not find a way out.
Other places in particular?
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57 Trotwood
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Post by 57 Trotwood on Nov 16, 2021 11:39:32 GMT -8
Rot can occur and be present under all siding and roofing. It just depends if a roof seam opened or a window seal dried up or the molding along the edges have opened. Or the previous owner liked to keep the roof vent open. The best practice is to take off all of the outside sheet metal first before you go and dig around or remove anything from the inside.
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Post by Teachndad on Nov 16, 2021 12:26:01 GMT -8
Hi Friends,
Once the skins are removed, you often find the paneling near the innards of the tail lights have rotted out. Water leaks behind the tail light bases as the putty dries up and it's a leak. Water damage can occur, but not necessarily wood rot underneath the window sills. Rot can be found along the interior edging along the roofline as the putty tape under the J- rail has dried up, so the water seeps in that way and as others have said around the roof vent. The roof vent doesn't have to be left open, the putty under the sheet metal of the base of the roof vent dries out and the water comes in. After that, the roof can sag from water intrusion as the water pools up on the roof and it gets worse from there.
I am not a snow state guy, but I imagine snow weight can play into the formula as well.
Window gaskets dry out as do any other gaskets on the trailer and then water can come in that way especially in storms when rain is blown around and can enter a dried up gasket on a vintage Hehr window.
Cheers,
Rod
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Post by vikx on Nov 16, 2021 12:47:14 GMT -8
Water stains and panel ripples indicate lots of ROT behind:
1. Below front and rear windows, including bottom boards.
2. Edge wood, where the J and awning rails attach.
3. Sills and skirt boards at the bottom of the trailer walls.
4. Floor joists if the trailer has a metal belly. These boards are often OK with a Celotex belly.
5. Around roof protrusions, especially the air vent.
6. Rafter and cross board ends, where they attach to the edge wood.
Most of the time, if the floor is soft, it means a frame up build as it is impossible to use "patches". Patching the floor can lead to loss of structural strength and cabin attachment to the frame. I think the attachment bolts are often overlooked, especially with flippers. A flipper has no clue...
I haven't found a lot of rot around windows and doors. The putty protects even if old and dry. Leaks tend to come from above. Water can settle at the bottom board but the window wasn't actually leaking.
Lastly, severe rot is caused by storing the trailer outside, especially if never moved. If your trailer is sad and green with moss/mold, expect more rot than one that has been used and towed.
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