Leaky sky light!!!

[MrBell]

Hi everyone, i have just been away in my caravan which is a Bailey Ranger 460/2 yr 2000. Its a lovely caravan and while i was away this weekend i have noticed the sky light where the cooker is, is leaking. It started leaking when the van was not level, i was unable to get the van level at the time as it was raining extremly heavy so i waited until it basically died down to a drizzle. i got the van level and it still leaked but not as bad tho. The leak seems to be coming from the air vent around the sky light so i cant make my mind up if it is just a manufactures fault or the seal may have gone and it needs to be re sealed. I spoke to the people who i store the caravan and they where quoting me huge amounts of money to get it fixed, thats if it needs fixing.
What do i do as i dont want a van which will leak and then will cause problems in the winter months. The last thing i want is a damp caravan. I have seem a blog on this site which shows someone putting a new sky light in which was slightly bigger than the original one, but i dont know if i should replace what is already there. I have also another bit of the sky light which has unfortunatly broken which is the roller blind part, but to be truthful i can buy that from Bailey and its not a huge expense.
Any idea on what i can do?? more ideas the better.
I was going to have another look sometime over the next couple of days but depends on weather as have no where under cover to do the work so has to be a nice day which is going to hard with the way the weather is going at the minute!

 

[Parksy]

Hi Mr B, sorry to learn of your troubles but a repair or replacement is a relatively simple job for a reasonably competent D-I-Y-er.
First of all measure the rooflight to find out which model you would require if a replacement were needed.
Towsure and most caravan accessory shops will stock the replacement that you would need without having to alter the size of the aperture for a direct fit. Whether you need a replacement or the existing rooflight simply needs re-sealing the procedure is the same. You will need:

• 1) Step Ladders to reach the roof area safely
• 2) Screwdriver to remove retaining screws
• 3) A Plastic Freezer Scraper or similar
• 4 White Spirit and clean lint free cloth
• 5) Methylated Spirit to clean away the oily residue left by the White Spirit
• 6) Non Setting mastic strip or cartridge with sealant gun, the strip is similar to This

To complete the job first remove the surround (if fitted) and retaining screws from around the rooflight, these will be inside the caravan around the edges of the rooflight.
Ensure that the steps are on a level firm surface and using the plastic scraper remove the old mastic sealant from around the affected rooflight taking care not to damage the roof of your caravan.
Ease the scraper gently underneath the exterior of the rooflight and lift it away from the caravan.
Scrape off any remaining old mastic sealant and use the white spirit to thoroughly clean the area. When the roof area and rooflight surround are completely clean and free of old mastic use the methylated spirit to remove any oily residue from the rooflight surrounds and the caravan roof aperture.
If the rooflight is cracked or broken a replacement is the best option, otherwise use the mastic roll or apply a generous thick bead of sealant around the sealant groove in the rooflight surround and replace the rooflight firmly pressing it into place so that mastic sealant spills out from underneath the edges of the rooflight (This procedure is the same whether you re-fit the old rooflight or a replacement)
Replace the fixing screws into the surround inside the caravan and using the white spirit clean away any excess mastic sealant from around the rooflight.
The job is quite straightforward and doesn't take long, it's important to use non setting mastic sealant because of the movement in caravan components and the possibility of re-sealing in a few years time.
Good Luck

 

[MrBell]

It sounds not too bad of a job to do, it is just finding a day when it wont rain while im doing the job.

 

[Parksy]

If you collect all of the necessary tools and materials beforehand the job would take less than half a day Mr B.
Have confidence, if I can do it anybody can, and the rooflight will only be 'absent' for about half an hour if you plan the job methodically and read the instructions if fitting a replacement roof light.

If you are unsure of anything just add a forum post and we can offer more advice, but anything has got to be better than leaving things until the winter months when water ingress could do some serious damage to your caravan.

 

[Connie1]

I replaced our sky light, myself, it was quite easy, I was dreading, it, but with my OH being away you just have to do it.