DIY Pressure Testing for Rain Leaks
I have an impossible to find leak in my travel trailer and I am at my wits end. My trailer is a 40 ft. Park model on a permanent campsite in southern Delaware with a hard room and deck attached so I d...
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I’m very thankful for this thread. It really helped to perform a decent DIY leak pressure test.
My TT is 31’ long so I knew I would need a decent amount of air to gain enough pressure to find leaks.
In my case I used a high powered (2000 cfm) 14” tube fan ducted into a window as well as a leaf blower into another window. I cut down an old tarp to create the 14” duct.
My manometer showed approx 0.3 inch of water column movement which was enough positive pressure to find leaks using a soap and water spray.
I found about 10 leaks in total. 3 of the 4 gutter ends leak which is obviously not where you want water coming in. My 2 tail lights as well as one of the front seams also had decent leaks. I was happy that neither of the 2 slide outs are leaking, and none of the windows or 2 doors leaked. Roof was also good showing no bubbles.
Unfortunately for me, there is already significant water damage inside under my cabinets. I’m hoping that caulking my leaks and fixing the cosmetic damage will be enough. There is soft floor under the cabinets where nobody walks. I don’t plan on repairing the floor unless I notice the rot leaching.
Thanks again to all who posted here. Very helpful, and it potentially saved me $300 that my dealer charges for a seal tech test.
My TT is 31’ long so I knew I would need a decent amount of air to gain enough pressure to find leaks.
In my case I used a high powered (2000 cfm) 14” tube fan ducted into a window as well as a leaf blower into another window. I cut down an old tarp to create the 14” duct.
My manometer showed approx 0.3 inch of water column movement which was enough positive pressure to find leaks using a soap and water spray.
I found about 10 leaks in total. 3 of the 4 gutter ends leak which is obviously not where you want water coming in. My 2 tail lights as well as one of the front seams also had decent leaks. I was happy that neither of the 2 slide outs are leaking, and none of the windows or 2 doors leaked. Roof was also good showing no bubbles.
Unfortunately for me, there is already significant water damage inside under my cabinets. I’m hoping that caulking my leaks and fixing the cosmetic damage will be enough. There is soft floor under the cabinets where nobody walks. I don’t plan on repairing the floor unless I notice the rot leaching.
Thanks again to all who posted here. Very helpful, and it potentially saved me $300 that my dealer charges for a seal tech test.
