Need to know if I have ant options

[hawkhill]

Late September 2013, I took my 5th wheel into a recommended repair shop to have it checked out before my extended annual trip. They checked the appliances, checked and touched up caulking on roof and side and installed a new Travl'r dish for me. After a recent rain storm I noticed some moisture inside.

Called the local mobile repair to check the roof out for me as I cannot go up on the ladder (recovering from broken leg). Repairman found that shop that installed satellite sealed up everything but missed sealing up around two wires that run into the roof. Apparently water has been running down the wires into my fifth wheel everytime it rained since September. I now have a soft spot in the roof right around that general area for about 2 feet. They sealed up the area for me, but recommended roof replacement for $4300. The area is about a foot from my back cap. I cannot afford that right now. Just rained very heavy last night and RV stayed dry.

What are my options? Can repair wait until next year when I can afford to do the replacement? I just completed last month a complete kitchen remodel so timing for this is not good. Does the entire roof need to be replaced or can te roof be rolled back and the wood repaired that way and then the roof relaid. Roof is TPO. Do I have any recourse with the company that installed the satellite? Any recourse with insurance? Mobile RV service will state where the damage was and that the roof was well maintained elsewhere. I have it routinely inspected and resealed and maintain those records.

[MPI_Mallard]

Sorry the shop dropped the ball on you and if it was me I'd hold them responsible for the damage and NOT give up!! These guy's charge a pretty penny down here and iv'e heard horror stories from other RV'ers about incompetence and it usually happens to people who either don't know anything about the repair or aren't able to watch them work like the elderly or disabled and frankly I always thought there should be a spot here in this forum to recommend good shops and name the hacks so other RV'ers could avoid getting screwed, after all our money doesn't grow on trees!

Red Green:
Remember, I'm pulling for ya. We're
all in this together

[super_camper]

hawkhill wrote:
Late September 2013, I took my 5th wheel into a recommended repair shop to have it checked out before my extended annual trip. They checked the appliances, checked and touched up caulking on roof and side and installed a new Travl'r dish for me. After a recent rain storm I noticed some moisture inside.

Called the local mobile repair to check the roof out for me as I cannot go up on the ladder (recovering from broken leg). Repairman found that shop that installed satellite sealed up everything but missed sealing up around two wires that run into the roof. Apparently water has been running down the wires into my fifth wheel everytime it rained since September. I now have a soft spot in the roof right around that general area for about 2 feet. They sealed up the area for me, but recommended roof replacement for $4300. The area is about a foot from my back cap. I cannot afford that right now. Just rained very heavy last night and RV stayed dry.

What are my options? Can repair wait until next year when I can afford to do the replacement? I just completed last month a complete kitchen remodel so timing for this is not good. Does the entire roof need to be replaced or can te roof be rolled back and the wood repaired that way and then the roof relaid. Roof is TPO. Do I have any recourse with the company that installed the satellite? Any recourse with insurance? Mobile RV service will state where the damage was and that the roof was well maintained elsewhere. I have it routinely inspected and resealed and maintain those records.

My first recommendation would be to seal the roof immediately, if the mobile guy didn't do it already get someone to do it right away.

Water intrusion for the last 7 months will undoubtedly have done significant damage to your roof so you need another inspection. I would return to where you had the work done in September and state your case. I think this is your best option for a resolution. I know my insurance would not cover this, you're coverage could be different I guess.

[bigred1cav]

Contact the installing agency, if they refuse to remedy, contact the consumer division of your state AG. File a complaint with the AG.

[powderman426]

I would at least contact the outfit that did the work and see how they react. It's possible but not likely that they will take Responsibility and have it repaired through their insurance. Not likely but it's worth a try.

[DutchmenSport]

If the leak is stopped, and the soft spot is on the ceiling, I'd not worry too much about it, but (as stated above), just keep an eye on it. If the roof is dry, and moisture trapped in the ceiling will eventually evaporate. Any mold will become dormant. Mold only grows and continues to be a problem when it has a constant supply of moisture to keep it growing. Dead mold won't hurt anything. Now if the roof starts leaking again, they you probably would do well to get it repaired.

Unless you live in the snow belt, you'll not have the problem of weight on the roof. So even if it is soft, as long as you don't walk directly on the soft spot, your roof is fine.

Just keep an eye on the roof, check it often, notice if the soft spot gets larger, or softer, and if that happens, go to plan 2 ... repair.

That's what I'd do.

[Popsie]

In my opinion:

You are not likely to get any help from insurance unless the leak in the roof was caused by branch falling off a tree.

Unless your mobile guy took before and after pictures, you aren't likely to have a strong legal case.

You have a chance that the place that installed the antenna will stand behind their work and make the necessary repairs.

Since the roof structure is soft, that shows that water has been doing damage. It is possible that the damp roof structure will support mold - which could lead to health problems.

[poncho62]

Why would you need a new roof?...There are all kinds of things through the roof that are sealed. AC unit, vents, antennae etc. A new roof is going to need sealer at these points too....I say you are good as is. Just keep an eye on where things are sealed.