RVs are vehicles that can take you and your family on amazing trips. However, RV maintenance is essential to ensure it will last a long time. Leaks can cause significant damage to an RV, so it’s necessary to inspect the RV for leaks or water damage. Though there are several possible causes of RV water damage, the most common cause is from the roof. Let’s go over some of the signs of water damage in your RV and how to inspect your RV for water damage.
Signs of Leaks and Water Damage in Your RV
1. Mold and mildew
When you see a semi-foggy film growing on windows, furniture, or other parts of your RV, that’s a sign of water damage. Mold and mildew are a result of moisture that accumulates in an RV. You can prevent this by using fans when it’s hot inside the RV to increase airflow or running the air conditioning if it’s cold outside. A dehumidifier will also help keep the interior of your RV dry.
2. Water stains or rust on ceilings or walls
When water leaks and drips onto the walls of your RV, you may notice water stains. The ceiling may also have areas where water has seeped in and created rust patches. If you find that the metal of your RV is rusting, get it fixed because it can damage the structure.
3. Moldy carpet
Mold spreads when there’s excessive moisture inside an RV. One way to detect mold growth is by smelling your carpet. If your carpet smells musty or looks like it has black or gray spots on it, that’s a sign that mold may be growing in your RV. You can remove the mold by using a household cleaner designed for mold removal and scrubbing the carpet with a brush.
4. Puddles in the shelter
When water leaks from windows, roof vents, roof seams, plumbing lines, or through doors, puddles can form inside your RV. These puddles can cause a lot of damage to your RV if they remain on the floor, furniture, or walls. Pools can be dangerous, and you could get injured, so it’s essential to keep an eye on them and clean them up as soon as you notice them.
5. Bad smells
A musty or damp smell in your RV may indicate mold or mildew growing inside the shelter. If your RV has a bad smell, you should get it cleaned. You can do this by calling in a professional and asking them to clean the inside of the RV.
6. Paint or aluminum peeling or flaking
If the paint or aluminum parts on your RV are peeling off, that’s a sign that water damage has occurred. There are several things you can do if this happens to your RV. Sealing any holes in the roof or doors where water may have penetrated the shelter would be best. You can also plug any leaks with caulking and ensuring you seal the windows. If the problem is only minor, it may not be too expensive to fix.
7. Squeaks in the walls or floors
When you listen closely to the wall of your RV, you may hear squeaks or rattling noises when you walk through it. These sounds could be a sign of water damage. It is because water damage is often accompanied by wood rot or rust. You should check the walls for leaks and holes, then seal them to stop water leakage.
Tips for Inspecting Leaks and Water Damage in Your RV
1 Check the roof
The most common place water damage is going to come from is your RV roof. That is why RV roof repair is one of our most requested services. First, to check your RV Roof, you need to make sure it’s clean. A quality inspection can’t be performed if the RV roof is covered with dirt, dust, leaves, or mold. Rub your hand over the membrane surface to see if it feels chalky. If so, clean your roof and then continue with the inspection. If your RV roof is walkable, carefully use your RV ladder to get up there and check for damage. On a non-walkable roof, safely inspect the roof from a sturdy telescoping ladder. Look for cracks, tears, or holes in the roof. Then check around seams and feel for soft spots, cracks or damaged areas. This includes seams and seals around the attachment points for your RV roof vents, air conditioning unit, solar panels, and any other roof-mounted accessories.
2. Use a water detector
A water detector is one of the best tools that you can use to inspect for water damage in an RV. This tool will eliminate the guesswork by identifying hidden moisture behind walls, carpeting, or inside appliances. It sends an electrical charge through the surface of your RV, and then it detects any water that may be present. If your RV is relatively new and has little mold growth, you can use a black light to find leaks. It illuminates mold growth so you can see the source of the leak.
3. Check for water stains on the walls
If you leak, you’ll likely get a water stain on the wall in your RV. You should use a black light to check it and shine it on the wall. If you see anything that stands out from the rest of the wall, that’s a sign that something is leaking. It could be small or large, but your RV will still require repair work if this is detected.
Leak and water damage are common issues in RVs. They will expose the interior to outside elements if the roof is compromised. Spray America Coatings is a leader in RV roof repair and coatings. Our roof coating is sprayed with 187 mils polyuera and is hail-proof and puncture-proof. Contact us at (281) 503-4443 for a free quote to repair or coat your RV roof.
