Forum Discussion

AC1's avatar
AC1
Explorer
Aug 06, 2014

Water Damage - Where to Start?

We haven't used our 24V Itasca Spirit in a couple of years but during that time both of my brothers & my sister have borrowed it.

We pulled it out of the field (we keep it at my parent's farm) this past weekend and everything looks fine except one small supply hose to the toilet is leaking and, oh yeah, the entire rear passenger side corner (back by the ladder) is soft and has broken away from the corner cap. There is actual moss growing in the wood behind the outside panel!

This all appears to have originated because some yahoo opened the emergency window over the back bed a bit and never closed it. :M

Where do we even start to fix/remediate this? I'm sick to my stomach thinking of this damage.
  • You can do the inside wall the same as the exterior using 1/4" finished plywood. What I did was measure and cut my piece ( be sure to one solid piece as oppose to several smaller ones. This will add more strength over all). Once my piece was cut and tested for size, I applied a thin coating of epoxy resin to both sides; again this strengthens the wood. Let it dry and air out for day or two. You can install this against the interior foam and beams with screws and liquid nails or PL construction adhesive or any like bonding glue. I do not recommend applying epoxy inside the RV, it will stink for weeks. Even the exterior resin odor will seep inside. You'll need to air out the rig with windows open for several days to remove this smell. Allow for 24 hours curing time for the construction adhesive to bond. Once complete, you can paint or paper the wall as you see fit.
  • Cousin_Eddie93 wrote:
    ...You can install this against the interior foam and beams with screws and liquid nails or PL construction adhesive or any like bonding glue...

    Standard Liquid Nails will melt the foam and not adhere. Liquid Nails has a version that you can use on the foam - Projects & Foam Board Adhesive
  • Thanks for all the how-tos and explanations. Now to get time off to get back to the farm to fix Serenity.
  • You really should call your insurance company. A friend of mine had water damage on his camper that the insurance company covered the entire amount minus the deductible on his comprehensive.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    ron.dittmer wrote:
    That is one of many reasons why I refuse to loan or rent our rig. Not even to our adult children. What could I say to them when something like this is discovered? Simply put, it would be my loss of which my financials can't afford such losses.

    It's hard enough to loan out my tools. When I have to ask for them back, those people are on my "Do Not Loan" list.

    Yes, pictures would help to understand the situation you are left to deal with.
    X-2, I don't think many can help without seeing it.