After my slide/water struggles I have become intimately familiar with the slide seals. There are two stages of water "proofing". Slide open & Slide closed. I think the sweep is pretty important as a first defense against water intrusion when the slide is open.
When the slide is closed the outer bulb seal is it. The sweep is in a position that will be less effective for blocking water. So keep an eye on those external bulb seals. They take abuse when the slide is open as they are exposed to the sun and elements.
When the slide is open there is a bulb seal that is attached to the back of the slide facia or to the interior wall where the slide rests. This bulb seals mostly helps with keeping out bugs and wind. If water gets on this seal it has the potential to find it's way to your RV floor (not the slide floor) if everything at the bottom of the seal is not exactly right.
Next up is the trim that holds the siding and roof down. It's usually an aluminum piece with a lip to block water that is screwed into the slide on 3 sides (top left right). This is your last real defense against water. If the caulk has lifted or aged water can get under that trim and into the walls or roof of the slide. To check it close the slide half way, get in a step ladder inside the RV and examine the roof. You may need a mirror to examine the sides depending on how tight it is to the walls. If the sides are a problem and they are hard to reach the easiest way to access them is open the slide all the way after removing the sweeps from the sides. They will be easily accessible for re-caulking from the outside.
The sweep is your first line of defense, albeit far from impenetrable. You will notice there are gaps where they overlap in the corners if you examine them at all. The sweeps can keep out an amazing amount of water. Their weakness is any sort of foreign object. A single pine needle under the sweep makes a perfect pathway for water. This still shouldn't be a major problem if you're leveled correctly, but if not, water can come flooding in at those weak spots.
If your roof is sagging the inner trim piece should still do it's job, however water going under the sweep is then sitting on the roof "inside" your RV making a place for insects to "swim" or adding to humidity as it evaporates. If the sag is large enough water could accumulate to a depth that is can get over that trim piece and then you'll have water coming down behind the fascia boards on the inside.
When you begin to close the slide, the sweep flips and, IMHO, retracts into a position that actually makes it easier for dirt and debris to enter the RV or get trapped under the sweep. it's best to sweep off your slide roof with a broom before you close it if you've been camping under trees or to put a slide cover on.
Hopefully all that typing helps someone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsmith948
Interesting thread. The slides on our 5er are not very long so the roof sag isn't a problem. However, isn't it the bulb seals around the edges of the slide opening that keeps the water out? It is my understanding that the rubber sweeps are there mainly to sweep light debris and water off of the slide as it is retracted.
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