Rear Grab Handles- reseal
From the Water Ingress Report from January 2008, suspected the grab handles may have something to do with higher than normal readings and could do with resealing.
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Overview of the rear of the caravan and the grab handles.
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The handles are held onto the caravan with six screws. |
Removed the screws with a cross-point screwdriver.
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Screws removed, the are old silicone sealant was scraped off and wiped with white spirit. I will redo with W4 strip mastic.
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The stainless steel screws used to hold on the handles. The actual handle had a thin smear of silicone sealant on the backside... a completely useless way of stopping water ingress!
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The strip sealant was not wide enough to cover the base so I just used two pieces making sure they were sealed together where they touched.
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Next step, trim the mastic with a pair of scissors.
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The mastic used, W4 available at any dealers.
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The backing removed from the mastic, almost ready for fitting.
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To aid, placing the handle on the caravan (you only get one chance at this)used a couple of nails in two of the holes. I also put some Seamseal into the screw holes for good measure. |
Positioned the nails up with the holes, then pressed the handle into place.
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Then refit the six screws, if needed trim the excess mastic.
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After use, I seal the end of the sealant tube with a piece of duct tape. What would we do without it?
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The handles definately needed resealing as there was only a thin smear of silicone under them, they are hollow and there was evidence of moisture in there.
The only place silicone sealant should be used is in the bathroom/worktops, there is no place for it on the outside of the caravan, in my opinion.
Back to Water Ingress Report Jan 2008
Page Created 30th March 2008 | 
