Finding Water Leaks

By Gary Bunzer

March 2016

Online forums, discussion boards, owners-club websites, and how-to videos often focus on one of the most perplexing of all motorhome problems: water leaking into the RV. It’s perhaps the number-one cause of damage to today’s motorhomes.

Rainwater, heavy dew, and melting snow can seep through deteriorated caulk, faulty seals, and cracks and voids. Water then silently follows the path of least resistance, potentially long before it’s noticed. By the time it’s finally visible somewhere inside the coach, it may have traveled a considerable distance from the actual breach, making it difficult to determine where the water entered. And before anyone notices the leak, costly damage can occur in the roof, sidewalls, flooring, and insulation.

It’s common for motorhome owners and unwitting service technicians, year after year, to lather silicone sealant or other nonrecommended maintenance products over every seam and mounting screw. They think, “There; that ought to do the trick!” But guessing the exact location of the water entry point — without considering the damage and frustration caused by chronic leaks — is gambling with the monetary value of a motorhome. Water leaks left unabated will drastically reduce the trade-in or resale value of any coach, especially if mold develops.

But there’s good news. Sealtech Manufacturing USA in Macomb, Michigan, produces what I and many others consider to be the best apparatus for locating difficult-to-find water entry points on any type of RV. The Sealtech 430-R is not something motorhome owners are expected to have in their tool kit. Rather, select dealers and service facilities use this diagnostic device to determine, with 100 percent accuracy, exactly where water is entering.

The key to minimizing water damage is to find and fix the problem correctly and quickly. Service shops equipped with the 430-R machine offer a leak testing service to motorhome owners. The cost of the service varies depending on geographic location but generally ranges between $125 and $200. The device gives technicians the ability to find all breaches on a motorhome exterior so fixes can be made, thereby saving the owner from future — and often expensive — repairs.

The process is similar to a leak test for propane fittings, which involves applying a soapy solution to connections and looking for bubbles to appear where gas is escaping. The Sealtech 430-R is positioned inside an RV and connects to any 14-inch roof vent. Fresh outside air is drawn into the motorhome, where it is dispersed, creating a positive interior pressure. Then, a soapy solution is sprayed over every penetration or opening that has been cut into the coach exterior, as well as all window, door, and slideout seals. Large bubbles indicate the exact point (or points) of escaping air. And as I often state, if air can get out, water can get in. Corrective measures can then be taken.

To see a short video demonstration of this process, visit https://goo.gl/OYiXbA.

The proper interior pressurization is based on the size and design of the coach. Too much pressure can cause bubbles to appear at places that are not at risk for leaks. The Sealtech 430-R incorporates an adjustable impeller controller. A built-in pressure differential gauge assures the operator that the correct pressure is applied.

The 430-R is constructed of high-quality components, and each machine is guaranteed for two years.

According to Sealtech owner Scott DeLadurantaye, approximately 500 machines are in service throughout North America, though not all repair facilities that have one advertise the fact. Sealtech keeps about 35 units in stock. If your local service facility does not have a 430-R, now’s your chance to educate them.

In my opinion, customers are not well served by a shop that still resorts to force-feeding streaming water over a motorhome in hopes the drips inside will show where leaks originate. Often, time elapses between the moment water intrudes and when evidence of it appears. And there’s still uncertainty about the leak’s entry point. Having a Sealtech 430-R in a shop vastly improves the leak-detection process.

Mr. DeLadurantaye, a member of a lifelong RVing family, first heard about Sealtech after a frustrating experience with a water leak inside his then-new 2005 custom-ordered motorhome. No one could find the leak until he visited a shop that offered the Sealtech method. Mr. DeLadurantaye was so impressed that he purchased his own machine, started a new company (RV Leak Finders), and traveled to Florida in his coach, performing leak tests at campgrounds, rest stops, and even in driveways.

Mr. DeLadurantaye bought Sealtech Manufacturing in 2013 from Norm Seabrook, the inventor and patent-holder, and has been producing the tool ever since. According to Mr. DeLadurantaye, some insurance companies have required a Sealtech leak test before underwriting a motorhome.

I recommend having your motorhome Sealtech leak-tested every couple of years. Experienced motorhome owners know that the normal wear and tear associated with mountain roads, winding highways, and the occasional speed bump can cause sealants to crack and breaches to develop over time.

Here are other tips for keeping water out:

And remember, RVing is more than a hobby; it’s a lifestyle!

To learn more about the Sealtech leak test, visit www.sealtechusa.com. For a list of dealers and service centers that perform the Sealtech method on motorhomes, visit www.sealtechleaktesting.com or call (810) 310-3070.