People enjoy RVs that have slide-outs because it adds extra space for them to enjoy. One of the main complaints people have about traveling in an RV is the lack of space when they’re trying to sleep or perform other daily tasks. These RV slide-outs are a great way to negate that problem.
However, RV slide-outs can come with many issues for people unfamiliar with the technology. For example, it can be difficult to cope if you receive water damage on your RV slide-out. You don’t need to worry about replacing your slide-outs entirely when they receive water damage.
Please continue reading to learn how to deal with RV slide-out water damage repair. In addition, we will discuss the common causes of RV slide-out water damage so you can avoid this problem altogether.
What Causes RV Slide Out Water Damage?
Just like at home, several things can cause water damage in your RV slide-out. There are also several different types of water damage you’ll need to watch out for when you own an RV. Unfortunately, when you spend plenty of time outside, you’re more likely to encounter environmental hazards like water.
1. Flooding
Some regions of the world are susceptible to inclement weather, including flooding. If your RV experience is flooding, the water damage can be severe, and your slide-outs are no exception to this situation.
Sometimes you can reverse the water damage that happens from flooding, but other times the damage is irreversible. Fortunately, there are ways to waterproof your RV so that flooding doesn’t have a huge impact.
We recommend adding RV insurance to your vehicle to protect yourself from environmental hazards. You shouldn’t have to pay the price for something you didn’t cause.
2. Storms
No matter where you live or travel, you will encounter a rainstorm eventually. Rain is a common occurrence worldwide and essential to our ecosystem. However, if you’re not careful about weatherproofing your RV, these rainstorms can negatively impact your RV slide-outs.
Before you take your RV out of the storage facility, we recommend waterproofing the vehicle. However, you’ll want to keep your RV in a covered area before waterproofing it to ensure it cures. It can take up to three days for your sealant to cure on your RV. Water damage is likely if you take it out before the sealant finishes.
3. Leaks
Leaky pipes in your RV can cause severe water damage that builds up over time. Many people don’t realize their pipes are leaking until the damage is already done. Fortunately, this water damage only happens in places where you have pipes and plumbing.
If you have any pipes in your slide-out area, you should check them for damage. Fortunately, fixing damaged pipes is an easy and affordable process for RV owners. This is one of the most affordable RV repairs you can get.
4. Mildew
Have you ever noticed condensation on your RV’s walls when you shower or when it’s hot and humid out? Unfortunately, this situation can create the perfect spot for mildew to develop. Having mildew in your RV is not ideal because it can create an unpleasant stench and make your living environment unbearable.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to get rid of mildew, which is a common occurrence in any residence, including RVs and campers. It’s easy to spot and get rid of once you detect the problem. The hard part about dealing with mildew is receiving reoccurring mildew.
Effects of RV Slide Out Water Damage
Unfortunately, water damage can be a serious problem for your RV slide-out. In general, you want to avoid any water damage in your RV, if possible. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about water damage until it’s too late. The following are the biggest problems you’ll experience if you have water damage in your slide-out.
1. Hard To Open
Water damage can cause the parts of your slide-out to corrode. Unfortunately, this can create a tricky situation where you can no longer open your slide-out. This problem is frustrating because many people rely on their slide-outs to create a comfortable environment when they’re camping.
If you arrive at a campsite intending to use the slide-out, you likely don’t have enough room in your RV without extending this area. The last thing people want to do is leave their camping supplies out for animals or weather to ruin. It’s no secret that animals like to hang out around campsites scavenging for food.
2. Hard To Close
If the water damage occurs while your slide-out is extended, it can be difficult to retract the device. When you notice a rainstorm, it would be best to retract your slide-outs until the storm passes. Otherwise, you could deal with corrosion that’ll make it difficult to leave the campground when it’s time to return home.
3. Mold in Slide Out
Another huge problem people face with water damage and their slide-out is mold. People enjoy using their slide-outs as backup sleeping areas, and they need a clean environment to get a safe and secure night of sleep period unfortunately, mold in your slide-out area can create a health hazard, especially if you sleep in the spot.
You can easily get rid of mold from water damage, but you need to figure out what caused the damage initially. Otherwise, the mold will reoccur until you get rid of the problem. It’s easy for mold spores to develop in a moist area.
4. Poor Window Seals
Finally, another common water damage problem people have with their RV slide-outs is poor window seals. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest problems to resolve in your RV that’ll help you prevent further water damage. There are plenty of sealants out there that are easy to apply on RV windows, and they don’t cost much money.
Some types of water damage can cost a lot of money to repair period so it could be a big relief to purchase a window ceiling and discover that it doesn’t break your budget period always set aside a few hundred dollars for potential RV repairs, so you’re never out of luck.
How To Your RV Slide-Out Water Damage Repair
Now that you understand the most common water damage problems and causes, it’s time to discuss how to treat your water damage and your RV slide-out.
Fortunately, treating most water damage is easy as long as it doesn’t impact your RV engine. The most difficult type of water damage to treat is flooding; you’ll have to go to a professional for that.
1. Oil Your Slide Out
Whenever you struggle to open or close your RV slide out, it would be best to oil its parts. Water damage can cause parts of your slide out to rust, making it difficult to operate them. Fortunately, a little lubricant on these parts will help you easily maneuver your slide out in and out so you can travel safely.
If trying to retract your RV, you’ll want to apply the oil while the flight out is extended. This will ensure optimal mobility when you try to retract it again. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult to leave your spot. Most RVs won’t let you leave with the slide-out extended because it’s a road hazard.
2. Remove Slide Out Mold
If you have mold on your RV slide-out, you should use a mold remover to eliminate this issue. After you treat the existing mold, you need to figure out where the mold comes from. Then, you can seal the area, so the mold doesn’t reoccur.
Treating the mold without getting rid of potential leaks will only cause the mold to redevelop. Eventually, too much mold in your RV will create a health hazard.
3. Reseal Your Windows
Finally, sealing your windows is one of the main things you should worry about when it comes to RV water damage slide-out repair. You can purchase a reliable window sealant from an outdoor retailer specializing in RVs or other vehicles.
However, you must remove the old sealant from your windows before applying the new stuff. If you don’t have the time to seal your windows independently, you can bring it to a shop and get a good deal on these repairs.
Additionally, bringing the RV to a window shop is a great way to replace any cracked windows in the meantime. You’ll also reap the benefits of better climate control when you replace your window sealant.
Final Thoughts
RV slide-outs are just as frustrating as they are beneficial. Many people complain that operating them is difficult when things go wrong, like water damage and other problems. Fortunately, water damage is usually easy to solve on your RV slide-outs unless it’s flooding.
The main thing you need to worry about is getting rid of mold and detecting potential leaks. If you’re worried about permanent damage to your RV slide-outs, it would be best to bring your RV to a repair shop. They can diagnose and treat any problems your slide-outs experience if our troubleshooting methods don’t work in your situation.
