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92DakotaHD's avatar
92DakotaHD
Explorer
Sep 18, 2016

Discovered a leak, where is it coming from?

My floor cracked a few winters back. Decided to fix it and pulling the old linoleum I found a leak in the back corner I wasn't aware of. It's wet even with the trailer sitting since labor day weekend and some recent rains. Oddity is that there is zero sign of the leak above the linoleum. The trim above it is dry, everything feels solid. Cant find any leaks on the water heater and the signs of moisture seem to end under it. Wet on one side, dry under the flooring on the other. The awning does have the lower clamp near it but I am stumped. Anyone have any ideas?






  • 92DakotaHD wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Pay to have it seal tested.


    The whole trailer? I can tell you now it's not air tight. Underbelly is "sealed" but not air or water tight, although water would have a hard time getting up there. And there are holes in the floor for utilities going up and down from trailer to the "basement" area.

    the test is not looking for "air tight" and then you "point" at the one leak you are looking for..... if it was, you would likely blow out the windows during the test... :-)
    You are looking for air leaks some where near or in likely areas close to the problem. A significant amount of air is "pumped" in via an enclosed fan in an appropriate opening from the outside. Then you listen or spray soap water around areas to spot air leaks in various areas (ie. joints, fittings, etc). My guess from your pictures is that the water heater / piping / pump has a leak somewhere allowing a small amount of standing water to sit in the corner where you found the result.
  • 92DakotaHD wrote:
    donn0128 wrote:
    Pay to have it seal tested.


    The whole trailer? I can tell you now it's not air tight. Underbelly is "sealed" but not air or water tight, although water would have a hard time getting up there. And there are holes in the floor for utilities going up and down from trailer to the "basement" area.


    Folks on here know that most water leaks come from places far from where the damage is observed. Look at any and all joints and redo anything that is suspect. If in doubt, a pressure test is worthwhile. Of course there will be leaks out the bottom, but you would be looking elsewhere. If it were me, I would pull that water heater, check it, and redo the installation. Often the water heater area is not sealed at all.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    Pay to have it seal tested.


    The whole trailer? I can tell you now it's not air tight. Underbelly is "sealed" but not air or water tight, although water would have a hard time getting up there. And there are holes in the floor for utilities going up and down from trailer to the "basement" area.
  • donn0128 wrote:
    Pay to have it seal tested.
    Yup, a pressurized interior test is the best for finding any leaks. I DIY it with a furnace blower. I should do a test this year just in case something has opened.
  • Water test. Dry everything out first and then start with the door. Have someone pour water at the door from a hose while you look for water with a flashlight from inside. If it isn't th door, try higher up. Keep searching by trying water from different areas. Inspect caulk above....that is the usual areas.
  • Those kind of leaks usually start up higher where rain can accumulate and enter the wall. Gravity pulls the water down through the wall and onto the floor.

    It looks like you have another leak with the utility knife, the scissors, and the band aid. Red stuff leaking?

    I'd suggest to inspect the walls in that corner and see if everything is solid and sealed. One image you posted shows the discoloration in the corner. Since this is a utility space that is enclosed, I'd suggest to remove wall paneling in that corner and inspect. You may be able to cut the panel along the trim of the enclosure and pry the whole panel piece out of the corner. That would allow you to reinstall easily. One of the small reciprocating saws is a great tool for this kind of job.