If eyes are the window into the soul, then the windows of your RV can feel just as important. A firmly installed window with a proper seal will keep the rain and debris out—but a leak can dramatically change the temperature, quality, and condition of your RV interior. How can you handle RV window leak repair without resorting to more expensive options? Here are a few tips for sealing your window and closing off any leaks.
Get a Sense of the Problem
As with most repairs, it starts with the proper diagnosis. Even if there’s water present, you might not necessarily be looking at a leak. If you do see water, check to make sure that water isn’t running down from the wall or gathering simply due to condensation.
In other cases, it might be a lot easier to spot the problem—you might find a glaring leak that needs to be sealed. But make sure that you check difficult-to-eye areas such as seams, as these can sometimes be responsible for leaks without giving obvious signs of their presence.
Prepare the Area
Once you know what you’re looking at, it’s time to get ready. Prepare the area by moving things away from the window. You’ll also want to use this time to clean the affected window area first. If there are objects that can get in the way of your effective repair, move them aside.
This is also the time to use masking tape to seal off any areas you don’t want to affect as a result of your sealing efforts. This will help you maintain a clean, professional look on the rest of the affected window area.
Find the Right Materials
Working with the right materials will give you a leg up as soon as you start because they’ll make the application much easier.
You can browse our RV Sealants to get a sense of what will work for your specific RV window leak repair project. For example, Life-Calk® Polysulfide Sealant will adhere to glass if you need that—as well as wood, metal, and even itself. This is a nice “universal” sealant that has plenty of applications for a variety of window and window-area leaks.
Applying the Fix
Apply the sealant generously, being careful not to get anywhere you don’t want it—this is where the tape will help. Working on a clean surface, be sure that you keep your hands away from any scratches and cuts in glass—you’ll want to work with a pair of gloves just to make sure. Once the sealant is applied, use a plastic scraper to get rid of the excess and leave you with clean, thorough edges.
Stock Up On RV Care Products
With the proper steps followed, you’ll have a sealed RV window that can handle rain and debris. If the damage is extensive enough, you may need a full replacement. But for small dings and leaks, a seal-like this can not only enhance the performance of your RV but can improve its look as well. Keep browsing the RV products here at RV by LIFE for more ways to keep your RV in great shape.
