I intentionally waited for a severe rain storm to check out an Itasca Ellipse at my local RV dealership. The full wall slide was extended out. Water was pouring in from the middle of the full wall slide and on to the dining table. After the rain subsided and the water was removed the salesman stated that the leak was due to "blocked weep holes". He pointed out two small holes located outside at the top of the slide out about 10 feet apart. The holes were about pencil sized diameter. I was stunned by his answer. I assumed the weep holes were to allow any water that accumulated on top of the slide to slowly drain out before retracting the slide back in to limit any puddles on top of the slide that may end up on the floor inside. How can a blocked weep hole allow water inside the RV? What am I missing here? thanks........

I don't think you're missing a thing. A slide should seal regardless of "weep holes" or not. Heck our 2002 Dutchman TT doesn't have weep holes or a slide topper and it doesn't leak.

Well the trip did answer one other question for you also, you found out what salesman NOT to deal with.

I agree with Mr. Bruce, the slide seal should prevent any water from entering around the slide.Our 2008 Dynasty with four slides never leaked as when the slides were opened, the seals touched and sealed the opening to prevent water intrusion.Our coach now has air seals which also work well. But, like with any seal design, everything needs to be kept clean and clear of debris.Safe travels,MM.

Weep holes in the slide? Just what an rv needs, more places for water damage. Sounds like another lie.

This has happened to us. The weep holes are for the slide lock. It can fill with water when slides are out and should weep out the holes on the exterior; but if blocked the water will fill up the lock and leak inside. Part of the maintenance is to clear the weep holes periodically with a pipe cleaner.

Weep holes....REALLY?! | Good Sam Community

rockhillmanor
Explorer
May 11, 2017
Teeshot1939 wrote:
I intentionally waited for a severe rain storm
to check out an Itasca Ellipse at my local RV dealership. The full wall slide was extended out. Water was pouring in from the middle of the full wall slide and on to the dining table.
After the rain subsided and the water was removed the salesman stated that the leak was due to "blocked weep holes". He pointed out two small holes located outside at the top of the slide out about 10 feet apart. The holes were about pencil sized diameter.
I was stunned by his answer. I assumed the weep holes were to allow any water that accumulated on top of the slide to slowly drain out before retracting the slide back in to limit any puddles on top of the slide that may end up on the floor inside. How can a blocked weep hole allow water inside the RV?
What am I missing here? thanks........

Yes blocked weep holes CAN and does let water to back up into the window tracks and then into the coach and run down the wall. Depending where you park these weep holes can get clogged up routinely. I check all the windows and clean the weep holes regularly.

AND

If the RV is not perfectly level and tipped ever so little to one side
.....in a strong rain storm the water running off the roof will overflow the weep holes on that side and again the water comes inside. Making sure RV is level rectifies that situation.

Been there done that, watched it happen.
Effy
Explorer II
May 11, 2017
Mile high, it's not really brand bashing, it's a poor design. When other manufacturers are using various slides and don't have this issue it begs the question why a design would be chosen to allow water intrusion. It would scare me, if I had this unit in storage and bugs like mud daubers decide to plug it, it will sit getting water in the coach every time it rains until I find out about it. It's a lot different than a clogged house gutter - which is pretty noticeable the first time it rains. Each brand has their share of silly designs so don't take offense - it's not personal. Some brand's slides fail altogether - so...
Solo
Explorer
May 11, 2017
Mile High wrote:
Well, I've known about mine since I bought it. Doesn't take too much nose time in the manual to realize some of this stuff.

The weep holes are to drain off the slide locks on the large full wall power gear slides. If they don't drain, water can come in through the slide lock.

Boy, doesn't take long for the brand bashers to step up on the soap box and offer no help whatsoever. They offer negativity without even knowing what it is they are talking about. I thought this was a friendly helpful forum - but it just isn't.

Oh Boy! Thanks for this info, Mile High. Never knew this but know exactly where mine are after your description. Easy to do with a pipe cleaner. Have never had leaks on ours but will simply add this to routine inspections.

It's much easier to bash instead of help I suspect.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 11, 2017
Sounds like another very poor design.
Mile_High
Explorer
May 11, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Mile High, I also had never heard of weep holes in the slide out room. Learn something everyday!

How long is the drain pipe for the weep hole? It's not the whole height of the slide is it? I can't tell much from the pictures.

Safe travels,
MM.
They are only an inch or so - they drain the well the slide lock sits in above that black plastic cover. The drain more or less takes the water out the side and then straight out through the wall.

There were a lot of things my Dealer didn't mention, but he sure talked about those weep holes :)
mbrooking
Explorer
May 10, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Mile High, I also had never heard of weep holes in the slide out room. Learn something everyday!

How long is the drain pipe for the weep hole? It's not the whole height of the slide is it? I can't tell much from the pictures.

Safe travels,
MM.

My weep hole pipe is short. Just long enough to go through the side wall. Ours stopped up and we had a leak inside. Not bucket fulls, but a slow drip out of the lock mechanism. After I got up and cleaned the weep hole all was good.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
May 10, 2017
Why wouldn't it be just like eave troughs on a house. Keep them clean, no problem. Don't ever clean them and water backs up under the shingles and into the house wall. Windows will leak if the weep holes at the bottom are never cleaned, water will back up into the wall. That explanation makes perfect sense. But, I would want them cleaned and then re-check to see if water still comes in.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
May 10, 2017
Mile High, I also had never heard of weep holes in the slide out room. Learn something everyday!

How long is the drain pipe for the weep hole? It's not the whole height of the slide is it? I can't tell much from the pictures.

Safe travels,
MM.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 10, 2017
If it is pouring in I'd look at the TOP of the slide.. There should be a wiper seal

IN my case there was about a half inch gap between top of slide and said wiper

I used foam tape to build up the top of the slide... Leak ... Vanished.
Mile_High
Explorer
May 10, 2017
Well, I've known about mine since I bought it. Doesn't take too much nose time in the manual to realize some of this stuff.

The weep holes are to drain off the slide locks on the large full wall power gear slides. If they don't drain, water can come in through the slide lock.

Slideout Lock Drain Line
If your coach is equipped with electric
Slideout Room Travel Locks, it is recommended
to periodically inspect the slideout lock drain line
(located near the top of the exterior slideout
room).
NOTE: Depending on the length of your slideout
room, there may be two Slideout Room
Travel Locks. Therefore, two drain lines
will need to be inspected (typically one
located on each end of the slideout
room).
It is possible for dirt and debris to collect
inside the drain line and cause obstruction, not
allowing water to drain properly. If the drain line
is plugged, use a small tool (i.e. pipe cleaner) to
dislodge any debris. Failure to comply may result
in water backing up inside the drain line,
resulting in water leaks and/or property damage.

PS, the slide lock covers can be removed to access the slide lock to operate it manually if you have a bad motor or it jams - also something to be aware of.

Boy, doesn't take long for the brand bashers to step up on the soap box and offer no help whatsoever. They offer negativity without even knowing what it is they are talking about. I thought this was a friendly helpful forum - but it just isn't.

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Weep holes....REALLY?!

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