caissiel
Senior Member
Today I checked the caulking on the unit and to my disappointment the left rear wall section has rotted out about 2 ft wide top to bottom. Everything is solid around the window and the roof. To my surprize there was very little wool and it and it was wet. The insulation starts above the lights.
My only assumption is the moisture was caused by living in the unit during cold weather.
All the screws on the end trim were rusted out and the ones on the lower trims were also all rusted out.
The trim had no putty other then a small bead of caulking that was still good. But all the screws were wet under the trim.
Years ago I removed all the bottom screws that were rotting and replaced them with caulked new screws that sealed under the screw covers. But the rear corners looked good then.
I plan on doing the repairs properly tomorrow by taking the outside wall cover down and drying the beams. Installing new supports and insulating with foam after sealing the interior panelling. The interior paneling has not rotted yet and hope its going to dry properly in this Florida sun.
I had to do similar work on my previous unit after 10 years.
I am starting to think that these unit now have a life expectancy of 5 years and then its major rebuilding to build them so they last. My previous unit had the molded back that had no insulation. I was happy that mine was a wall similar to the sides. Buts its not, it's a wood framed flimsy wall that I will repair to last the next 10 years.
My only assumption is the moisture was caused by living in the unit during cold weather.
All the screws on the end trim were rusted out and the ones on the lower trims were also all rusted out.
The trim had no putty other then a small bead of caulking that was still good. But all the screws were wet under the trim.
Years ago I removed all the bottom screws that were rotting and replaced them with caulked new screws that sealed under the screw covers. But the rear corners looked good then.
I plan on doing the repairs properly tomorrow by taking the outside wall cover down and drying the beams. Installing new supports and insulating with foam after sealing the interior panelling. The interior paneling has not rotted yet and hope its going to dry properly in this Florida sun.
I had to do similar work on my previous unit after 10 years.
I am starting to think that these unit now have a life expectancy of 5 years and then its major rebuilding to build them so they last. My previous unit had the molded back that had no insulation. I was happy that mine was a wall similar to the sides. Buts its not, it's a wood framed flimsy wall that I will repair to last the next 10 years.