Water Damage- What would you do??

[KC8WX]

Found water damage end of Feb. Found underbelly panel screws falling out of edge 2x4 on curb side. Noticed problem before winter, used Exterior white duct/fiberglass tape to seal edges and stop water in case it was getting in from outside siding on panel edges that were not flush or receeded.

Long story, in 2010 camper interior was flooded with fresh water from hose left on by child. Faucets were open for venting while not in use. Y Splitter was on to camper...:R Neighbors saw water coming out bottom of camper in several places, called immediately. Water was shut off and I rushed home to strip the bottom insulation and poly covering. Was all soaked inside insulation. Insurance inspector came next day and we stripped entire underbelly and took pics. We found old dark damage in both rear corners, curb side worst.

Insurance paid to have it fixed. Took it to Camping World (Sirpilla) in N. Canton. They saw the corner damage and were to find leak, seal and cut out old 3ft of 2x4 to replace.

Now I find the Luan/Poly covered panels sagging, falling off. Removed the outer panels along the curbside and found not only original rotted 2x4 still under there but now soaked insulation and 3x more damaged area. Stripped off all curbside outer panels from underbelly. Luan falling apart like sheets of wet poster board.

Now looking at having to strip aluminum panels to replace entire double 2x4 on curbside behind rear axles and a piece ahead of steps. Will have to be cutout and replaced or spliced in.

Immediate concern is finding entrance point of leak above, guessing Marker lites on rear corner and swingout bunk window frame. Ahead of front tires, guessing door catch and awning mounting plate/s. Only thing there. Will have to pull rear corner retainer trim and try to pull out panels enough to see wall damage if any. Will have to Butyl seal again and replace damage wood found.

Talked to Collison shop 90 minutes from here that does repairs, pretty sure would be over $2500 total, maybe more, depends.

Watched lots of strip down repair vids on YTube. Possibly a friend and I or my neighbor (camper guy/Carpenter) could fix and restore siding into place.

No insurance coverage for this... Sure put a bummer on camping plans this summer so far. 😞

Ii have detailed pics, thought I could just Attach here, looks like I need to upload them to photo site first...

[KC8WX]

Here's the pics, all from the curb side, awning and door side....

[westend]

Yes, you need your pictures hosted on a site like Photobucket, Imgur, etc. to post them to this Forum.

Water leaks are the most troublesome aspect of RV ownership, IMO. The mfg.'s are using the same old sealing techniques from when sealants were first introduced. They rely on a bead of caulk to seal joints that are constantly in motion. That would be OK if the sealants didn't degrade or could withstand the rigors of transportation and storage but they can't. Dicor is making millions with sealants that need to be upgraded or renewed, for example.

I'd suggest that you plan to remove siding in the areas that leaked if you have aluminum siding. Water will travel with gravity and run to adjacent areas readily. It is not always the closest observable entrance point.

Good luck with the repairs.