Leaks galore

westend wrote:

jstar wrote:
I called a local Travel Trailer shop near me that has been in business since the 50's and they said they have never heard of doing a pressure test to check for leaks. Who does this type of thing and what does it cost?

Sealtech is the commercial enterprise that has affiliates across the US.

You can DIY with a furnace blower, a leaf blower, or any fan/blower that moves a good bit of air. The idea is to introduce air into the interior until a positive pressure differential is achieved. 1/2"-> 1.5" of Water column is an accepted range. When the pressure has been achieved, the exterior is sprayed with a water-soap solution. Anywhere there is a passage to the interior will have bubbles forming on it.

A small pinhole leak:



If I knew this Forum would sticky the process as I do it, I'd do a write up and description of the testing. Unfortunately, everytime this comes up and I post up the info and pictures, it fades into the archives. The information is buried in my restoration thread in my signature line, "the Cowboy/Hilton".

What do you do to mark each spot until you're done with your test? I'm thinking a piece of blue painters tape, but it would not stick to a wet soapy surface. You would somehow have to mark each spot and then go back over the trailer with caulk after you were done with the test.

I have the largest hand-held, gas powered, blower that Stihl makes, so I'm thinking I could do this through the cargo door, propping up my DS's bunk bed a couple inches.