Help! Where is this leak coming from?

[Hali_Mark]

Got my trailer out of storage and noticed the floor was swelled and soft in the marked area. Last year was out first year owning the trailer and while the wallpaper was rippled, there was never any evidence of water in the floor area.

I took the window frame off to check, and no evidence of anything there, same with the door frame. Sprayed water at both and no leaks found. There is no evidence of water on the floor, but it's somehow getting into the floor, under the vinyl. I saw another thread where someone had an issue with the long exterior trim piece not having sealant in the screw holes. Could that be what's happening here?

The underside of the trailer is in perfect condition, membrane is intact and the wood is dry and solid.

I plan to remove the cabinet faces shown in the pic and cut the floor along the edges and along the wall, so I can lay it back down and the cuts will be hidden. Hoping there isn't too much damage yet.

[bsmith0404]

Water can creep a long way and show up at a stopping point. Based on your pics, I’m guessing your bathroom is close to that area. Could also be the door sill. Maybe running down from the roof seem (I doubt that’s the problem, but don’t rule it out and inspect it). Water damage with no visible water can be very difficult to find.

[sourdough]

If there is no indication of water coming from above or below I'd look into the entry door as a possible source.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by sourdough

If there is no indication of water coming from above or below I'd look into the entry door as a possible source.

That’s my first thought

[Hali_Mark]

Thanks for all replies.

I added more pictures to help explain. Def not the bathroom as it's on the opposite side and end of the trailer.

I thought it might be the cargo hatch, but there is no evidence of any damage near it, and the damage in the bedroom is 12" away. The seal around it is good and no water entry when sprayed with hose.

Most likely culprit seems to be the entry door, but the entire opening along the floor is perfect.

[chuckster57]

Did you spray the whole door, including the window?

[jlc]

What year is your camper?

[Hali_Mark]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Did you spray the whole door, including the window?

Yes, had it on full jet setting and did the entire door and around the trim, window and cargo hatch.

[Hali_Mark]

Originally Posted by jlc

What year is your camper?

2016 Bullet 274BHS

[NH_Bulldog]

Two areas I would investigate; the roof where it meets the front cap or the awning mounting rail

[jsb5717]

Could be either the door or the window. Just takes a small void for water to get around the frame somewhere where there might be a small gap in the butyl tape or sealant. But could also be the same scenario along the roof line as well. Also, is there anything mounted into the exterior wall in that vicinity...like an outlet, a light, or a door catch? Any penetration of the wall is an opportunity for a leak. Time for a fine-tooth-comb inspection.

[Kojac]

I had a problem with my window, I had to press down very hard for the window to seal! The window was on the side of the main slide and would only leak when the slide was out!

[wegone]

Water does crazy things.....

HOWEVER, one thing is for certain, it ALWAYS travels the path of least resistance.

I can't help but think maybe the water traveled there in storage because it was a low spot.

I know I once was laxs in putting my trailer up before the next trip.
It rained pretty good, and all the water on the roof ran to one side that had my biggest slide-out, and under that onslaught in over ran the gutters and seeped in behind the top seal onto the slide roof, and eventually onto the floor.

It was caught before damage because it laid upon the floor, not under it.

I now am extremely certain my side to side leveling is spot on, and then for good measure, I give the trailer a little more tongue up, as the rear of my trailer has less spots for water to get it.

[JRTJH]

the vertical awning support arm is directly between the window and the door. At the lower end of that arm is a hole through the trailer wall (supposedly sealed with silicone) that was drilled to feed the electrical wiring from the belly to the awning. There is also 4 to 8 bolts holding that support arm to the trailer wall. EVERY one of those bolts is subject to leaking as is the 1" hole drilled through the outer FILON of the sidewall.

The awning rail, mounted at the top of the trailer, just below the roof membrane molding, has a long history of being pulled away from the trailer by strong winds buffeting the awning and literally "jerking the screws loose". That is an excellent place for water to run off the roof, behind the awning rail and into the wall through the loose screw holes.

I'd start by rolling the awning out about a foot, getting on a ladder and looking very carefully at the top of the awning rail for loose sealant, loose screws and any evidence of water intrusion. Then I'd pull the plastic covers out of the front vertical awning rail and inspect everything you see that looks like it might penetrate the FILON skin on the trailer.

If it's not the trailer door, which would be my "first suspect for a leak", then it's either the awning rail or the vertical awning rail. Chances are very slim that the J-wrap molding is leaking, but I'd also check that, but that area is a low probability for the leak.

So, first suspect, door frame. Second is the top awning fabric rail, third is the vertical awning support arm and last is the J-wrap molding.

[curtiscapk]

I bet your right John after looking at the layout pic the awning post is exactly right there. Good call! Let us know what you find.

[Hali_Mark]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

the vertical awning support arm is directly between the window and the door. At the lower end of that arm is a hole through the trailer wall (supposedly sealed with silicone) that was drilled to feed the electrical wiring from the belly to the awning. There is also 4 to 8 bolts holding that support arm to the trailer wall. EVERY one of those bolts is subject to leaking as is the 1" hole drilled through the outer FILON of the sidewall.

The awning rail, mounted at the top of the trailer, just below the roof membrane molding, has a long history of being pulled away from the trailer by strong winds buffeting the awning and literally "jerking the screws loose". That is an excellent place for water to run off the roof, behind the awning rail and into the wall through the loose screw holes.

I'd start by rolling the awning out about a foot, getting on a ladder and looking very carefully at the top of the awning rail for loose sealant, loose screws and any evidence of water intrusion. Then I'd pull the plastic covers out of the front vertical awning rail and inspect everything you see that looks like it might penetrate the FILON skin on the trailer.

If it's not the trailer door, which would be my "first suspect for a leak", then it's either the awning rail or the vertical awning rail. Chances are very slim that the J-wrap molding is leaking, but I'd also check that, but that area is a low probability for the leak.

So, first suspect, door frame. Second is the top awning fabric rail, third is the vertical awning support arm and last is the J-wrap molding.

This is excellent information, thank you.

[Hali_Mark]

Ok, peeled the floor back and it's spread much more than I thought. The largest area is under the window/awning support, although I can't tell how far into the center of the bedroom it extends. It doesn't appear to have run across the trailer side to side though.

The floor itself isn't too soaked, and hasn't started to fall apart yet, is still solid when sticking a screwdriver into it.

I can peek behind the wallpaper and it looks to have wicked up into the wall panel 3-4".

I'll inspect all the exterior areas mentioned, see if anything obvious is visible.

I've got the hatch and door open to get some air through to try and dry it up, we're going on the first trip of the year Friday.

[flybouy]

It may be my screen on my tablet but when I zoom in on the window it looks like there's no frame on the bottom. Anyone see this?

[sourdough]

I didn't see it but do now. It does appear that the interior framing/trim/seal is missing on the bottom. Mine attach and screw in from the inside. Missing part? Prior repairs?

[Hali_Mark]

Not sure what you guys are referring to, maybe the threshold piece that covers the door opening? That's off to the side so I could cut the vinyl along the frame.