The RVer's Open Forum

Swirve.com Links: Swirve.com Free Email Games Fantasy Sports E-Cards Movies Horoscopes Freebies Web Search

NOTICE: Beginning July 10th, 2008, this message board service will no longer be active or available for use.

The RVer's Open Forum / TECHNICAL RV HELP / Awning Leaks

Larry202br
User ID: 0909594 Sep 9th 8:32 AM
I knew the weather would catch up with me eventually, and after a rainfree camping summer, it rained all Labor Day weekend. Last year I noticed that my awning leaked where the seam fits into the rail that attaches it to the side of the TT. It's not leaking between the rail/bracket and the side of the TT, but the water actually drips out where the awning is attached to the rail. I climbed up on the roof and ran a bead of some vinyl patch adhesive this spring, but it still leaks. The water runs out the underneath side of the awning, follows the awning down about halfway, and then drips right on your head!

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this fixed?

Barthbill
User ID: 0067194 Sep 9th 10:18 AM
Liquid roof worked for me.

Larry202br
User ID: 0909594 Sep 9th 10:52 AM
That stuff looks great, but I hate to order a gal @ $75 (minumum qty on the web site), just to seal a tiny seam. May have to do it though.

Mike
Administrator Sep 9th 4:34 PM
Larry,

See the 'Elastomeric Roofing' thread. Would that work? It's a heck of a lot less than $75.00 a gal.

Mike

Barthbill
User ID: 0067194 Sep 9th 11:10 PM
$75 for a gallon to stop a small leak is indeed quite a bit. I seem to remember CW swlling it by the quart. Maybe your RV dealer can get it.

However, you have a lot left over. I just mix up a little bit at a time. It also works to coat the part of the awning that gets sun-weakened, and can extend the life of the awning by several years. That is worth many dollars. You also have really good stuff for sealing or preventing leaks on the roof. every time I do something upstairs, I mix up a little more. Having had some dry rot experience, a tight roof is worth a lot to me.

One other thought is to glue some convertible-top vinyl over the whole area. Marine grade vinyl should work, too. I have seen people do that to reinforce the sun-rotted section next to the rail. Wouldn't it be neat if we could all convert to the aluminum slats next to the coach?

jd
User ID: 9635043 Sep 10th 7:09 AM
The rail edge of our old awning was dried to the crunch stage, torn at the front when we got the coach. Then it tore at the rear in a windstorm. We got a couple yards of gray "Top Gun", used for boat and equipment covers, and was fortunate to find a man with a commercial sewing machine who would set up to let me walk the rolled awning along as he stitched about a foot-and-a-half replacement edge to the old material. Notice I said it took only a yard or so of material. We found we could piece it and the seam would still slide in the rail. Re-used the old gore that forms the bulge that slides into the rail. We're good for many years again. God Bless, jd

Larry202br
User ID: 0909594 Sep 10th 10:16 AM
Mike, The Elastomeric stuff sounds much more affordable, what is the name of the product from Wal-Mart?

Anette
User ID: 9189423 Sep 10th 10:34 AM
I don't think you will have any trouble finding it at Wal-mart or Home Depot or Lowes. It goes by several names, such as Snow roof Kool coat etc...I've seen it at both places, but can't think of the exact name for sure, but it's easy to find or ask the clerk.

Mike
Administrator Sep 10th 10:45 AM
Larry,

Other than the brand listed in the referenced thread, I don't remember any specific names. Just look for white 'elastomeric coating'. Many people here have used this stuff to 'paint' a protective coating on the first foot or so of their awning and with great success.

Prices for a gallon range from approx. ten dollars to $20 at the high end paint and hardware stores.

Mike

Larry202br
User ID: 2700404 Sep 10th 9:47 PM
Thanks for all your help guys and gals!

Carol
User ID: 8771373 Oct 1st 7:32 AM
I've read this "Awning Leaks" thread as well as the "Elastomeric Roofing" thread. I would like your opinion on another option I'm considering.

My awning has tiny pinholes in a straight line (about 8 inches long) just a few inches out from the awning roller. When raining, it allows a "mist" to come through the holes. I'm more worried about the strength of the awning in that area than I am about the mist coming through. I've seen vinyl repair kits (often used for waterbed repair) that contain a thin sheet of plastic/vinyl and a tube of glue that melds the thin sheet to the material being repaired. Would this work for my awning? Would it give enough strength to the material to extend its life a few more years? If so, should I place it on the top or underside of the awning. Should I paint a strip of elastomeric paint over it?

Does elastomeric paint add much strength to the awning? In other words, would using the paint without any other repair do the job? Comments on these questions or additional recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Carol

RichB
User ID: 2275264 Oct 2nd 9:03 PM
Carol, I had some pin holes like you are talking about, and I painted a 6-8 inch wide strip of elastomeric roofing on the topside of the awning. Did it strengthen it? I don't know, probably not, but it did stop the leaking.

Carol
User ID: 8771373 Oct 2nd 10:37 PM
Thanks, RichB. Maybe I'll try both--that is, elastomeric paint and some vinyl patch.

Arby
User ID: 0081374 Oct 3rd 10:32 AM
I ripped the edge of my awning where it joins the track during a high wind. I used the vinyl repair stuff on it. Pulled the rip together with duck tape and then painted the liquid vinyl on the awning (didn't bother with the piece of vinyl patch that comes with the kit). Let it dry, removed the duct tape and it has held ever since. I would not hesitate to use this product on pin hole leaks. Fairly cheap too. Bought it at Canadian Tire - called Dr. Vinyl - less than $10. I've even used it to repair a motorcycle seat and it never came apart.

Melissa
User ID: 9976863 Jul 19th 9:57 PM
Can not find the Dr. Vinyl, do you know where I can buy it. I have the same problem

Mike
Administrator Jul 19th 10:52 PM
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=fp-pull-web-t&p=Dr+Vinyl

Larry202br User ID: 0909594	Sep 9th 8:32 AM I knew the weather would catch up with me eventually, and after a rainfree camping summer, it rained all Labor Day weekend. Last year I noticed that my awning leaked where the seam fits into the rail that attaches it to the side of the TT. It's not leaking between the rail/bracket and the side of the TT, but the water actually drips out where the awning is attached to the rail. I climbed up on the roof and ran a bead of some vinyl patch adhesive this spring, but it still leaks. The water runs out the underneath side of the awning, follows the awning down about halfway, and then drips right on your head! Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this fixed?
Barthbill User ID: 0067194	Sep 9th 10:18 AM Liquid roof worked for me.
Larry202br User ID: 0909594	Sep 9th 10:52 AM That stuff looks great, but I hate to order a gal @ $75 (minumum qty on the web site), just to seal a tiny seam. May have to do it though.
Mike Administrator	Sep 9th 4:34 PM Larry, See the 'Elastomeric Roofing' thread. Would that work? It's a heck of a lot less than $75.00 a gal. Mike
Barthbill User ID: 0067194	Sep 9th 11:10 PM $75 for a gallon to stop a small leak is indeed quite a bit. I seem to remember CW swlling it by the quart. Maybe your RV dealer can get it. However, you have a lot left over. I just mix up a little bit at a time. It also works to coat the part of the awning that gets sun-weakened, and can extend the life of the awning by several years. That is worth many dollars. You also have really good stuff for sealing or preventing leaks on the roof. every time I do something upstairs, I mix up a little more. Having had some dry rot experience, a tight roof is worth a lot to me. One other thought is to glue some convertible-top vinyl over the whole area. Marine grade vinyl should work, too. I have seen people do that to reinforce the sun-rotted section next to the rail. Wouldn't it be neat if we could all convert to the aluminum slats next to the coach?
jd User ID: 9635043	Sep 10th 7:09 AM The rail edge of our old awning was dried to the crunch stage, torn at the front when we got the coach. Then it tore at the rear in a windstorm. We got a couple yards of gray "Top Gun", used for boat and equipment covers, and was fortunate to find a man with a commercial sewing machine who would set up to let me walk the rolled awning along as he stitched about a foot-and-a-half replacement edge to the old material. Notice I said it took only a yard or so of material. We found we could piece it and the seam would still slide in the rail. Re-used the old gore that forms the bulge that slides into the rail. We're good for many years again. God Bless, jd
Larry202br User ID: 0909594	Sep 10th 10:16 AM Mike, The Elastomeric stuff sounds much more affordable, what is the name of the product from Wal-Mart?
Anette User ID: 9189423	Sep 10th 10:34 AM I don't think you will have any trouble finding it at Wal-mart or Home Depot or Lowes. It goes by several names, such as Snow roof Kool coat etc...I've seen it at both places, but can't think of the exact name for sure, but it's easy to find or ask the clerk.
Mike Administrator	Sep 10th 10:45 AM Larry, Other than the brand listed in the referenced thread, I don't remember any specific names. Just look for white 'elastomeric coating'. Many people here have used this stuff to 'paint' a protective coating on the first foot or so of their awning and with great success. Prices for a gallon range from approx. ten dollars to $20 at the high end paint and hardware stores. Mike
Larry202br User ID: 2700404	Sep 10th 9:47 PM Thanks for all your help guys and gals!
Carol User ID: 8771373	Oct 1st 7:32 AM I've read this "Awning Leaks" thread as well as the "Elastomeric Roofing" thread. I would like your opinion on another option I'm considering. My awning has tiny pinholes in a straight line (about 8 inches long) just a few inches out from the awning roller. When raining, it allows a "mist" to come through the holes. I'm more worried about the strength of the awning in that area than I am about the mist coming through. I've seen vinyl repair kits (often used for waterbed repair) that contain a thin sheet of plastic/vinyl and a tube of glue that melds the thin sheet to the material being repaired. Would this work for my awning? Would it give enough strength to the material to extend its life a few more years? If so, should I place it on the top or underside of the awning. Should I paint a strip of elastomeric paint over it? Does elastomeric paint add much strength to the awning? In other words, would using the paint without any other repair do the job? Comments on these questions or additional recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks, Carol
RichB User ID: 2275264	Oct 2nd 9:03 PM Carol, I had some pin holes like you are talking about, and I painted a 6-8 inch wide strip of elastomeric roofing on the topside of the awning. Did it strengthen it? I don't know, probably not, but it did stop the leaking.
Carol User ID: 8771373	Oct 2nd 10:37 PM Thanks, RichB. Maybe I'll try both--that is, elastomeric paint and some vinyl patch.
Arby User ID: 0081374	Oct 3rd 10:32 AM I ripped the edge of my awning where it joins the track during a high wind. I used the vinyl repair stuff on it. Pulled the rip together with duck tape and then painted the liquid vinyl on the awning (didn't bother with the piece of vinyl patch that comes with the kit). Let it dry, removed the duct tape and it has held ever since. I would not hesitate to use this product on pin hole leaks. Fairly cheap too. Bought it at Canadian Tire - called Dr. Vinyl - less than $10. I've even used it to repair a motorcycle seat and it never came apart.
Melissa User ID: 9976863	Jul 19th 9:57 PM Can not find the Dr. Vinyl, do you know where I can buy it. I have the same problem
Mike Administrator	Jul 19th 10:52 PM http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=fp-pull-web-t&p=Dr+Vinyl