Benefit to a cover
Hey all, just though i'd share some current revelations.
I discovered i have a small patch of de-lam occurring on the skinny/long strip of wall between my roof and slide. I really have no direct reason for it, the area is well sealed from my yearly maintaince.
I do have a strong suspicions however. Most areas where screws are used they are hidden in a strip molding covered by a push in plastic/rubber filler. location in my case is along the entire roof, holding down the EPDM membrane and involving the tiny drip/gutter bead. A similar strip is used for screwing the slide seals/flappers in place to the wall. I live in Canada, i believe frost snow and ice to be the active ingredient to my issue. I'm thinking moisture accumulates down in and around the slide seal when stored all winter closed. Expansion and contraction enables water into the wall at the screws. Upon pulling the EPDM back to re-laminate this area of wall i discovered most of the screws to be rusted or their heads snapping off. Everything was well calked/sealed except for the crew bead, covering it interferes with its later removal. The bead seal appears to be an ok method away from the moisture trap of the slide seal.
I was trouble shooting how to prevent moisture in this area during long winter storage when i realized the value of my trailer cover/bag. Of which i have owned for years and never used for various reasons. Fasepalm ! does anyone have advice or drawbacks when using covers ?
The days i will have spent repairing this de-lam will allow me plenty of time to reflect on the merits of fibreglass vs tin walls. Personally i will buy fibreglass again. Both are susceptible to water damage. Ultimately informed detailed yearly inspection is a mandatory requirement of both. I will grant tin has an advantage if water damage is left unattended for a long periods.
I believe a better bead method could be developed. What will i do differently, is caulking the screw holes an idea of value ?
Bottom line if you RV you better be rich or handy, ideally both.
Im interested in your thoughts.
I discovered i have a small patch of de-lam occurring on the skinny/long strip of wall between my roof and slide. I really have no direct reason for it, the area is well sealed from my yearly maintaince.
I do have a strong suspicions however. Most areas where screws are used they are hidden in a strip molding covered by a push in plastic/rubber filler. location in my case is along the entire roof, holding down the EPDM membrane and involving the tiny drip/gutter bead. A similar strip is used for screwing the slide seals/flappers in place to the wall. I live in Canada, i believe frost snow and ice to be the active ingredient to my issue. I'm thinking moisture accumulates down in and around the slide seal when stored all winter closed. Expansion and contraction enables water into the wall at the screws. Upon pulling the EPDM back to re-laminate this area of wall i discovered most of the screws to be rusted or their heads snapping off. Everything was well calked/sealed except for the crew bead, covering it interferes with its later removal. The bead seal appears to be an ok method away from the moisture trap of the slide seal.
I was trouble shooting how to prevent moisture in this area during long winter storage when i realized the value of my trailer cover/bag. Of which i have owned for years and never used for various reasons. Fasepalm ! does anyone have advice or drawbacks when using covers ?
The days i will have spent repairing this de-lam will allow me plenty of time to reflect on the merits of fibreglass vs tin walls. Personally i will buy fibreglass again. Both are susceptible to water damage. Ultimately informed detailed yearly inspection is a mandatory requirement of both. I will grant tin has an advantage if water damage is left unattended for a long periods.
I believe a better bead method could be developed. What will i do differently, is caulking the screw holes an idea of value ?
Bottom line if you RV you better be rich or handy, ideally both.
Im interested in your thoughts.
