Water in Outside Locker

[wheelmon]

During the last week I have noticed on two occasions a pool of water over 1/4" deep in the offside locker. Each time I have mopped it out with a sponge but I fear it might seep through into the void below if not fixed.

We've had the 1999 Duo for 5 months and it's seen quite a bit of rain (being parked outdoors) and I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened before.

So far I've been unable to see any trace of where it's getting in and I wondered if this was a common problem. Could it be leaking in via the rooflight and running down the cavity or perhaps via the rear side window seal? I couldn't see any sign of either - anyone had the same problem?

Keith

[Derek]

Hi Keith

Just a thought, do you still have water in the tank and is the pump in that locker? If the pump freezes and then thaws the plastic unions can come loose. If not, Ant, will know the main suspects on your model. As you say it can be roof lights or window seals.

Derek

[wheelmon]

Thanks for your suuggestion, Derek.

The pump on ours is inside the van under the seat next to the fridge whereas the offending water is in the outside locker and, as far as I can see, sealed off from the inside, although there seems to be a gap between the doorframe and the cupboard lining. Come to think of it I fed a wire through that gap a couple of months ago when fitting reversing sensors and it came out somewhere near the pump. From memory though I think the water would have to go uphill to get in that way! I'll check it again when this rain stops (if ever it does). We've developed a large pond in the back garden! Water, Water everywhere...... (Tommy Steele 195?)
By the way I checked the door seal (that was No 1 suspect) but that seems to be OK.

Thanks again, (as you say perhaps if Ant's browsing through . . . . ?)

Keith

[Derek]

Now you know why it's called the wet locker

Sorry about that, I thought you meant the offside,rear bunk locker, thats where our pump is as well.

My money is on the sealant round the roof vent but just to muddy the water, the water pipe goes over where you were poking around, at least it does in ours.

We await the advice from the wise one ---------

Derek

[wheelmon]

It hadn't occurred to me that that's the route to the tap durr!! I still didn't get to have a proper look today - we didn't even reach daylight in this neck of the woods and I didn't notice a break in the rain.
One point is that at the end of the season I had switched 'off' the pump on the control panel and then released the water pressure at the tap so, considering the amount of water that I have mopped out ie more than a 'pipeful', I think it all points to the skylight as you say and that probably means the insulation wadding will be wet.

Now where's the stepladder? there's an 'aerodynamic' shield round the outside of the vent just to make it difficult......

I'll keep you posted Derek thanks again.

Keith

[Derek]

derek said:

Hi Keith

Just a thought, do you still have water in the tank and is the pump in that locker? If the pump freezes and then thaws the plastic unions can come loose. If not, Ant, will know the main suspects on your model. As you say it can be roof lights or window seals.

Derek

I have just noticed the title, Water in the Outside Locker
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[wheelmon]

OK Bart, you can jump on your skateboard and go home.. .

[ant]

The outside lockers on the Duo Hylo and Duo Hytop are very different. The Hytop has Thetford cassette toilet locker doors and the Hylo has Romahome made doors neither of them are sealed to be water tight in heavy rain. The Hytop doors will leak if not pushed shut top and bottom and the build up of algea on the rubber is not cleaned off and replaced with a smear of vasoline. The Hylo door will move in different temp's, sometimes coming away from the seal altogether.
Ant

[wheelmon]

Many thanks indeed Ant, you have given me fresh hope and some useful info. I didn't like the idea of water ingress round the skylight (soggy insulation etc).

I've just been and given the door frame and seal a good scrubbing with 'algea killer' (and a good rinsing). I did notice that there was not as much water today despite constant rain - the van had been parked overnight leaning to the right so door leakage would have tended to run back out.

Next step the vaseline - I'm also going to smear some on the back door window seal; that sticks to the window on opening.

Going back to the wet locker, I wondered about installing a drain tube from the floor of the locker, through the void below and then through that floor to outside. Has anyone tried this already? I thought it would dispose of most of the water and prevent it from stagnating or seeping through to unseen places.

Keith

[ant]

Hi keith.
Romahome used to do it, why they stopped I don't know.
Ant

[wheelmon]

Very interesting, Ant.

Mmmmmm........perhaps a diy conversion kit could be marketed.......

Joking of course!!

I will certainly be doing ours in view of what you said. The locker floor looks to be plywood? so I will have to be careful to seal it well.

Once again, Ant, thankyou for the info.

Keith

[Derek]

ant said:

The Hylo door will move in different temp's, sometimes coming away from the seal altogether.

Thanks for that Ant, not had a problem with ours but I have the catches adjusted tight and push the doors with my knee as I turn the key.

Is it OK to use Vaseline on the side window seals? They stick if they have been left closed.

Thanks again

Derek

[ant]

Hi Derek.
Vaseline is a basic requirement for the Romahome owner! If smeared thinly on the window rubbers it plumps the rubber up and softens it, don't put great blobs all over it as the rubber will get too soft and sag.
Other uses for Vaseline include;
Easing the water filler cap ( smear on rubber inside cap).
Preventing frosted door locks ( push a bit in the hole)
Emergency leak sealant for roof vents and windows ( smear round suspect seal generously)
Cutlery draw and seat runner lubricant.
Head rest lubricant without the risk of staining upholstery.
Battery terminal grease ( if there are signs of corrosion)
Fuse holder grease ( if corrosion appears)
The list is endless, so keep a pot of Vaseline handy in the van, one day it is sure to get you out of jail.
Ant

[wheelmon]

Only a few times in a lifetime you get that feeling: "my life is complete! I now know everything I will ever need to know!"... etc.... This is one of those moments - having read your latest post, Ant, I feel inclined to print it out, have it laminated, and then superglue it for all eternity to the inside wall of the Romahome!

What a masterpiece! This has got to be the single most useful piece of info/advice ever.

Sorry to go on a bit . . .

To put it simply - Thanks, Ant

Keith

ps sorry to butt in, Derek, it was your question.

[yamaha]

Definately the Post of the Month, well done Ant (again) !!

How about that for a suggestion, Pauline & Graham - a Post of the Month award?

Mike

[Graham]

yamaha said:

How about that for a suggestion, Pauline & Graham - a Post of the Month award?

Great idea Mike, we could have a vote at the end of the month and see who wins it, mind you it would probably be Ant every month.

Graham

[yamaha]

graham said:

yamaha said:

How about that for a suggestion, Pauline & Graham - a Post of the Month award?

Great idea Mike, we could have a vote at the end of the month and see who wins it, mind you it would probably be Ant every month.

Graham

Maybe - except when he's on his holidays at the NEC in February!!



Mike

[Derek]

ant said:

Hi Derek.
Vaseline is a basic requirement for the Romahome owner! If smeared thinly on the window rubbers it plumps the rubber up and softens it, don't put great blobs all over it as the rubber will get too soft and sag.
Other uses for Vaseline include;
Easing the water filler cap ( smear on rubber inside cap).
Preventing frosted door locks ( push a bit in the hole)
Emergency leak sealant for roof vents and windows ( smear round suspect seal generously)
Cutlery draw and seat runner lubricant.
Head rest lubricant without the risk of staining upholstery.
Battery terminal grease ( if there are signs of corrosion)
Fuse holder grease ( if corrosion appears)
The list is endless, so keep a pot of Vaseline handy in the van, one day it is sure to get you out of jail.
Ant

Can I suggest an "Ants of Avon Addendum" for the back of the Romahome manual ? This would be invaluable to novice and seasoned romahomer alike. ;D

Thanks again Ant for sharing your knowledge with us --- Derek

[ant]

Hi Derek. Perhaps when I get a spare minute I'll compile a " Trouble shooting guide" to Romahomes. - maybe during a quiet spell when I'm on my holiday in Birmingham during Feb! I think the Romahome hand book is large enough already and is quite able to confuse without my additions. Thanks for the thought anyway.
Ant