Introduction and request for advice

[nick]

Hi Everyone,

Just signed up to be a member after quietly absorbing your good words over the past few months in selecting a suitable 2 berth relatively lightweight caravan.  Now I have it, a Windrush 13/2 1990 ish.  It's absolutely fine, tows well and all the bits work as they should.
 
However, although dry when bought, not so now after a quick outburst of heavy rain in the Bristol area this PM. I can only assume previously kept under cover for most of the time.  Area of dampness (wet actually) is the left  hand rear corner where the kitchen eye level locker/cupboard meets the outer wall.  Have stripped back the soggy bits I wish to remove the locker/cupboard to gain full access.  Partly successful after removing all the visible screws and trim and the thing is loose, except for some unseen fastenings that appear to be attached to the roof in some way holding the upper part firm.

Rather than going down the brute force and ignorance route, grateful for any advice on how to fully remove the complete unit.  There are some fastenings up there, as I can slide a fine knife along the entire roof/cupboard join except for 3 points where there are obstructions, presumably screws.

Thanks in anticipation. 

Nick

PS.  Just ordered 30 metres of mastic tape!

[Administrator]

First and foremost you need to identify where the ingression of moisture is coming from and it is always from outside the van by definition. Point of entry is limited to very few areas on any van .

Usual points of entry are.
The seal behind the awning trim which also cover the roof lap joint, this being the one that usually fails through sealant degradation.
To correct this the outer awning rail needs to be removed in its entirety and resealed and put back again, Due to the fact that non stainless steel screws was used in its construction this can be a daunting task but needs to be done , I suggest once you have managed to get them off you use a good quality mastic sealant and re drill holes in the awning rail and countersink the new holes and refix with stainless steel screws.

other points of entry are roof lights again as moisture gains entry under the sealant and runs down the inside of the roof to corners of the van. This type of repair is relatively easy to carry out as its matter of taking out the roof light cleaning both surfaces off and refixing with a good quality sealant. Hope this helps Stuart.