Rain Gutter trim

[upstech76]

The trim piece that hides the screws on my rain gutter has dry rotted and fell out of the track. Is this purely for aesthetics or does it help to keep water out. If its aesthetic I'm not concerned with replacing it but if its needed I will replace.

Not my picture but here is what I am reffering to:

[LarryJM]

As mentioned it's mostly for aesthetic, but for me it's important to cover up what I did to all my external screws to prevent the rusting out mentioned by others. I went and 'entombed" all the exterior screws in "Eternabond". I used the double sided tape and simply cut two small squares leaving the top paper layer on the top square so it wouldn't stick to the vinyl protective molding. I removed each screw, put one square over the hole, wrapped a little Eternabond around the screw threads, reinstalled the screw and then put another square over the top that way the entire screw including the threads are covered in Eternabond. I don't trust caulking to really seal those screw heads up and much prefer the better adhesion of the Eternabond microsealant. Here is a pic of what "My treatment" looks like ....

Step 1:



Step 2:



I fully appreciate the hidden damage until it's too late that ALL SCREWS will suffer from "wicking" given enough time. It might be two years or twenty, but eventually there is a high probability that they will start "wicking"

Larry

[Gjac]

What I found with mine was that water got into the track under the rubber and flowed to the front. The rubber just held the water in the track. The MH was parked on a slight incline. Over the years the screws rusted almost completely through. Some were half the original dia some rusted completely through. I found the same thing in the molding above my baggage doors. My MH was 15 years old at the time. I put caulking on the threads or the new screws and most threaded tight. I ended up caulking the bead so water could not enter.

[DutchmenSport]

Camper1977 wrote:
Is the screw issue valid for other trim pieces ? I have a small 17' travel trailer and noticed that the power cord compartment cover was coming out. The screws basically can't be tightened at all they just spin. Most concerned with water getting in between the cap and the fiberglass

Yes. Once the material holding the screw in place is broken, worn, or rotted out, that spot is basically useless. You can try with a larger diameter screw. Sometimes it's just the threads created in the wood that's stripped out. Using a larger screw will make a bigger hole. Make sure you putty it real good.

If this does not work, make sure you putty the hole, and simply start a new screw hole near the same spot. If that's rotted out, you've got larger problems.

But if it was seal good around your trim, it should be no problem. And actually, as long as you have good putty holding on the trim (like around the hole where your plug wire comes through.) You can try to put a dab of putting INSIDE the screw hole too to help seal it back up, and then a bit on the top of the screw, even if it's loose. The putty will dry, making it sealed. It still may not be solid, but it will be sealed. As long as the other screws holding the trim are good. The more you disturb it, the bigger risk you're taking of introducing a spot for water intrusion in the future.

[Camper1977]

Is the screw issue valid for other trim pieces ? I have a small 17' travel trailer and noticed that the power cord compartment cover was coming out. The screws basically can't be tightened at all they just spin. Most concerned with water getting in between the cap and the fiberglass

[upstech76]

Thanks everyone, I will place to replace as its fairly inexpensive but am going to wait until we get a nice warm day to help with the install!

[DutchmenSport]

upstech76 wrote:

newman fulltimer wrote:
yes it needs replaced and why not its cheap enough to buy

Any suggestions on where to purchase?

Some suggestions:


Here

Here

How about Ebay

[downtheroad]

upstech76 wrote:

Any suggestions on where to purchase?

Lots of places...on line at etrailer and I think Camping World. Also any RV dealer's parts department.

Tip: heat it up with a hair dryer or lay it in the sun or even put it it hot water before you install it. Much easier to snap into the track when it is warm and pliable.

[DutchmenSport]

On my last camper, that plastic strip kept popping out. I never lost it due to wind on the road, but it was not caught at the top or the bottom. I put up with this for 8 years. I know lots of water went under that plastic strip. It didn't hurt anything. That strip really does very little to keep water and humidity out. The screws will still rust up, regardless of the cover or not.

Advise! Don't mess with the screws UNLESS you see they are backing out or are loose. Taking them out and replacing because the screw head has a bit of rust will only weaken the wood behind the screw, making the next screw even weaker. If you have to replace a screw and it does no hold because the wood behind is now broken out, simply drill a small hole in the metal near the original hole, just enough to penetrate the metal, and then use a new screw. Put some putty over the old screw hole. But REALLY! There no need to replace those screws.

And... to answer your question.... that plastic strip is for aesthetics. It really does very little by way of an actual "function". Kind of like artificial shutters attached to your house. They serve no functional purpose, because they are attached permanently against the outside wall of your house. But they do make the house look better!

[upstech76]

newman fulltimer wrote:
yes it needs replaced and why not its cheap enough to buy

Any suggestions on where to purchase?

[Gjac]

Check you screws underneath they may need to be replaced also do to rust.

[newman_fulltime]

yes it needs replaced and why not its cheap enough to buy