So I go camping this weekend and when I opened the camper on Thursday to get it loaded and ready for the weekend I notice a slight moldy/mildew smell. Well I live in Fl and it has been extremely hot and humid so I figured it was just because it was closed up for so long. Get it ready get to the camp ground and I open the back slide in the bunk house. When I walked back there I noticed a 2ft by 2ft soft spot in my floor. Its in the center of the room. I did have the storage door on the outside of the camper leaking last year. I have since fixed that. So my question is do I start on the inside and remove wall panels to look for signs of water or do I remove the sheet metal on the outside to look. Not sure which would be easier. I figure the outside since to replace the floor I'm going to have to slide the floor in from the outside to get it under the wall. Whats your thoughts on this? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Sure, pulling a wall section will disclose a leak in that area. The thing is, water can travel across the ceiling and enter a wall space not close to the leak.
I'd suggest you either find a friend with a blower or buy one at Harbor Freight and perform your own test. You may also be able to rent one. All that is needed is some cardboard, some tape, a blower, and a Windex spray bottle of soapy water. It will uncover even the smallest pinhole.
Thanks for the advice. I can take pictures but the flooring is still down. I can just feel the soft spot. I know water has to be coming in from somewhere. I looked at seals on roof and everything looks good. Id rather not have to pay for a pressurized leak test but I've done a leak test with the water hose and can't find it. I just know if I pull the walls I'll see exactly where its been coming in. We last used the camper about 4 months ago and that spot wasn't there so its been leaking pretty good for it to have done that. Also I'm worried about mold. So it may be better to pull the walls.
Also note- I'd find someone able to preform the sealtest based on the sealtest website locator. I called several places and they just used a sprinkler and not the machine...
An interior pressurized leak test will be the least invasive method of discovering any leaks. Sealtech is one commercial service that does this test.
Depending on what type of floor you have and the location of the floor damage, will dictate how it's repaired. I replaced some subfloor from the inside by removing screws and staples and sliding new sheathing under the existing wall.
