Exterior Waterproofing

[BBBFLASH]

Hi all. It has been really wet up in the mid north coast. I opened up the caravan to are it out one day and ended up having open for a week due to wet weather. This led to some observations befor going away which I have some questions about. I have done some searching for suggestions but I need more info/details which I will be looking in depth on the forums. Happy to read your ideas/fixes. See the below list.
- tv antenna; there is water coming through the base either around the fitting or through the part itself.
- bed ends; water pools on top the the canvas. I have read a few threads and tightened the "hockey stick" but still happens. I suspect leaky hinders, seapage over the edges, privacy screens pulling water onto it.
- it appears that the canvas soaked up water. Haven't really noticed it as I haven't noticed water coming through...yet. Is it worth putting canvas waterproofed on and if so, what brand?
- our zippers leak. Thoughts about waterproofing these? Ideas were surfboard/candle/bees wax?
- exhaust vent; i can see water leaking through. I think water actually comes in through slots as I have looked as the seals around and they look fine. I will probably reseal and look to put a small cover over it.
- toilet compartment; this one really gave me the shits!!! (Ha, sorry couldn't help myself) emptied out the toilet last night and there were ants everywhere. Turned on the hose, sprayed out and compartment and then noticed the waterfall coming out the door. Heaps of water through the caravan. My thought, why/how the hell could the most potentially disgusting place in the caravan NOT be sealed? Has anyone removed this and sealed it.
- our bed ends appear to let water in. I noticed some water coming in when driving. Haven't looked, but think I need to tighten the cover.

look forward to seeing any feed back and I will try to sort out some solutions.

 

[Dobbie]

Hi. We were camping in that area the last few weeks and also had some water issues...not surprisingly.

• Bed ends...water gets in via the stitching around the Zips and other areas. Keep mattress well away from canvas and season the canvas and particularly the stitching if you can. Otherwise, bees wax on the stitching helps. Check out this forum for suggestions as to how to get the water flow away from the canvas.
• Vents....it was horizontal rain with wind so the vent covers will be susceptible in those conditions. Only real solution is a cover ....we're solving the same issue by putting sail track over the vents and using a tarp to protect
• Toilet area....not sure but I'd be looking carefully at the pipes feeding water to the loo....a burst fitting is not uncommon and that will flood the van. I've experienced the same! If it's not a pipe issue, redo the seals.
• TV antenna...again, no idea but I'd check to ensure it was properly wound down and tightened. If not, that might be the leak...or get up,on the roof and check the sealing compound

I know it's infuriating getting wet but the rain was extreme and caravans are designed for milder conditions.

I'd also look at the storm covers...they're designed for those conditions.

You didn't say if the van was open or closed up when you had these problems...I assumed it was open.

 

[BBBFLASH]

Yes the caravan was open in all situation with the exception of the exhaust fan, toilet and tv antenna. We go away almost every other weekend over winter to trial dogs in agility. They run in all weather so rain is going to be part of our experience. I don't mind it as it is just that, an experience. It is the main reason we bought the caravan and upgraded from the tent. I will be looking around and reading about others fixes to prevent as much as I can. I already have my eyes on the storm covers and that is probably number one on my want list. Gas heater is number two!

Bees wax vs surfboard wax; which is better for the zips? I see the surfboard wax getting hard and potentiallly fouling the zips. Thoughts?

The toilet really shits me! (Ha, dad jokes! Love them) we have a very manual toilet with. I running grey water. It is one of those canister type where you pull out to empty it. That said, if a seal fouls upon replacement or the canister cracks fro what ever reason, I would not want the material in that compartment sealing into the living area. I am really surprised this isn't a one piece tub that slides in fully sealed with a hole at the top for the toilet. It the canister does crack then all the contents would just leak out the door and not through the caravan. Has anyone taken their toilet area out and fixed/sealed it up?

I look forward to reading everyone's ideas and threads.

 

[bigcol]

Bees wax vs surfboard wax; which is better for the zips? I see the surfboard wax getting hard and potentiallly fouling the zips. Thoughts?

Silicon spray is the best for zippers
wax will go hard and make it horrible to try to zip up and open
Palmolive soap is good as well

I think the reason why the zippers and such leaked was because it was a very abnormal rain fall over the east coast
not much would have prevented the damage it has caused to some Vans with leaking

little covers over all vents - extreme maybe - but still a good idea

 

[Dobbie]

Just to clarify the covers over the vents we're doing....mainly for shade on fridge wall when needed...we've used these before.....and the second for protection against the leaks from the horizontal rain.

It fulfills the two uses rule!

Ours will have sail track on van wall over the vents, length 3 metres and the protection will come from a good quality shade awning (3m) which is almost waterproof and has Kedor rope. It's also used as a spare end wall when we don't want to bother with AFKs. Again, the two uses rule!

Hopefully, we'll never be caught in those extreme conditions ever again but we'll carry the protection, just in case.

Agree with silicone spray suggestion...it does work....but we've found the bees wax on the stitching works better for major water problems. Never tried surfboard wax.

 

[Drover]

Brings back some memories....lets see...

To check your seals around the bed end lid, run chalk around the seal and then close the thing up, where there is no chalk on the opposite surface you don't have a seal. (the powdered builders stuff is what you should use).

Toilet...Old Thunder is a pet fun place of mine, the remove and seal the thing is on the To Do List, if you intend to do this mod then you should be fully familiar with the operation of your unit before attacking the problem...the can won't split or break unless you do something to it, it will discharge into the cavities underneath if overfull, it has an overflow valve, if paper or other stuff jams in the flap it will dump into the cavity, thats just some of the fun things that can happen. Every so often give the flap seal a clean and spray with olive oil, always have a spare seal in the spares box and if your not prepared to don the gloves and dismantle the Thunder Can to replace the seal, Don't Use the Thunder Box.......
I use Aldi Napisan stuff, way cheaper and no pong, also keeps the Thunder Can a lot cleaner than the other commercial stuff.

Bees Wax is good for zipps, also just plain old candle wax, using siliconspray is good but doesn't last and can mark the canvas, my old bike jackets and stuff I found soap to be the best, good for Zipps, padlocks etc.

The vents do let spray in when it's a howling gale and/or buckets of rain, you may also find soap, wax over hinges will also give a seal.

Giving the canvas a good soak of water after doing bees wax over the stitching will proof the canvas, with a spray of Oil Skin/Drizabone waterproofing stuff once a year should keep it all dry but like all canvas stuff when its wet don't have anything against it or it will weep.

Big Mal has a sail track the whole length of the right side so I can slot a full size screen along to keep the heat off, works a treat, can also slot a smaller screen along if need be.......