{"id":3395,"date":"2020-01-08T21:28:43","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T05:28:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/?p=3395"},"modified":"2020-06-08T20:30:07","modified_gmt":"2020-06-09T03:30:07","slug":"fix-leaky-rv-window","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/fix-leaky-rv-window\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Fix a Leaky RV Window"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Nothing shuts down a fun family vacation quite like a leaky window in your RV. Whether you wake up to a puddle on the ground by a window or you\u2019re just starting to notice signs of water damage from a possibly leaky window, you\u2019re going to have to make some repairs. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"709\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135-1024x709.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135-1024x709.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>ID 130071135 \u00a9 Uros Medved | Dreamstime.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>So, how do you fix a leaky RV window? <strong>Depending on the severity of the leak, a simple cleaning of the window weeping holes might be enough to fix the leak. However, if the leak is more serious, a resealing or a full window replacement might be necessary. <\/strong> <\/p><p>Are you looking for a\nway to fix a small leak in your RV window without having to spend a\nfortune at a repair shop? Or, do you have a larger leak that you\nthink will require replacing the whole window? If you answered yes to\none or both of these questions, keep reading. I\u2019ll also serve up\nsome bonus information for preventing your camper windows from\nleaking in the future.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-67d8a916211ab\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #5d7772;color:#5d7772\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #5d7772;color:#5d7772\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-67d8a916211ab\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/fix-leaky-rv-window\/#Have_a_Leaky_RV_Window_Do_this_first%E2%80%A6\" title=\"Have a Leaky RV Window? Do this first&#8230;\">Have a Leaky RV Window? Do this first&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/fix-leaky-rv-window\/#Start_the_Window_Repair_with_a_Good_Cleaning\" title=\"Start the Window Repair with a Good Cleaning\">Start the Window Repair with a Good Cleaning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/fix-leaky-rv-window\/#What_to_Do_if_Cleaning_Your_RV_Window_Doesnt_Fix_the_Leak\" title=\"What to Do if Cleaning Your RV Window Doesn\u2019t Fix the Leak\">What to Do if Cleaning Your RV Window Doesn\u2019t Fix the Leak<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/fix-leaky-rv-window\/#9_Steps_to_Resealing_An_RV_Window\" title=\"9 Steps to Resealing An RV Window\">9 Steps to Resealing An RV Window<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Have_a_Leaky_RV_Window_Do_this_first%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Have a Leaky RV Window? Do this first&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>Secure that leak! You want to stop any water actively entering your camper through the leaking window. If you\u2019re on the road or it\u2019s the middle of the night, you might not be able to get right in there and fix the problem.  <\/p><p>If this is the case, use strong, waterproof tape and thick plastic, like a garbage bag and tape the window off from the outside of the RV. If it&#8217;s raining out this may be tricky but you need to stop any more water from entering your motorhome or trailer. Also, make sure to address any water that\u2019s already gotten inside the RV.  Grab some towels and start moping.<\/p><p>Of course, these leaks happen to you at the worst of times, say right before, or even during a big rainstorm. You\u2019ll likely be getting out in the weather to temporarily stop the leak. By taping plastic protection over the window, you\u2019ll be able to keep additional water from getting in, before you do most of the repair work.  <\/p><p>Once you\u2019ve made sure\nmore water isn\u2019t getting in, for the time being, you can at least\nget a decent night\u2019s sleep without worrying or continue on down the\nroad until you\u2019re at the next stop. Then, you can move on to your\nnext plan. \n<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_113466581-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3430\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_113466581-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_113466581-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_113466581-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_113466581.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>ID 113466581 \u00a9 Kay Wiegand | Dreamstime.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start_the_Window_Repair_with_a_Good_Cleaning\"><\/span>Start the Window Repair with a Good Cleaning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>If you\u2019re a newbie to\nRV life and you have a leak in your window, or what you suspect to be\na leaky window, your initial reaction might be to panic and take your\nRV to the nearest repair shop. But, hold on just a minute!<\/p><p>In most cases, there\u2019s actually a quick, easy, and cost-effective solution to solving the problem. Anyone that doesn\u2019t mind putting in a little elbow grease (and I mean, very little elbow grease) can do this 100% on their own.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the Outer\nWindow Well<\/h3><p>More often than not, the outer window well has accumulated grit and grime from the road, causing a blockage in the \u201cweep holes,\u201d which then keeps the water from properly draining.<\/p><p>When you check your outer window well, use something small like a cotton swab, and just run it along the inside. If it comes out covered in dirt, then it\u2019s time to clean those suckers out.<\/p><p>Now there is a caveat to this simple fix, it only works with framed windows.  If your motorhome windows or trailer windows look like a sheet of glass mounted in the exterior of your RV and open from the bottom, i.e. they don&#8217;t slide, then you likely have frameless RV windows which means you need to skip to the next section, <a href=\"#still-leaks\">If Cleaning Your RV Window Doesn\u2019t Fix the Leak<\/a>, since these windows do not have weep holes<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Exactly Are Weep Holes?<\/h4><p>When we first started RVing we learned many new terms like weep holes. Weep holes are the little vents at the bottom of the window gasket. This is where the window sits.  <\/p><p>Weep holes in an RV window may look unimportant, or even like they are a simple crack in an aging RV. But don\u2019t be fooled, these little guys are a very functional, yet simple, drainage system for your camper window.  <\/p><p>If these are covered up by anything, or clogged by dirt and grease, they won\u2019t work effectively. If they\u2019re blocked enough that no water can get through, the water will just sit in the window well and eventually leak into your RV. This could lead to long term damage to the outside and inside of an RV if it\u2019s not addressed right away.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cleaning the Window\nWell<\/h3><p>First, you\u2019ll want to\nstand outside of the window that\u2019s causing all the issues. Once\nyou\u2019ve assessed the level of buildup you have going on around your\nouter window well, use a long, skinny tool or brush to clear out the\ndebris. \n<\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brushes<\/h4><p>A long, skinny brush\nwill work best, but any tool that fits into crevices is going to do\nthe trick. Just make sure it has a long handle, to avoid any awkward\nstretching and bending while you\u2019re cleaning and scraping.  \n<\/p><p>If you\u2019re an RV owner, you might want to invest in a bottle brush cleaning kits.  They each have a few brushes that will work for cleaning the outer window well, but they\u2019re also perfect for cleaning other small nooks and crannies within an RV.<\/p><p>I found this one to be perfect to help me clean my motorhome&#8217;s windows as well as other hard to reach areas, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07X6C6J25?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5 Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner<\/a>  (Amazon Link)<\/p>\n<div class=\"aawp\">\n\n            \n            \n<div class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--horizontal aawp-product--ribbon aawp-product--sale aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B07X6C6J25\" data-aawp-product-id=\"17892\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"lifeonroute02-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"ALINK 5-Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner - Long Bamboo Handle Water Bottle Straw Cleaning Brush for Washing Narrow Neck Beer Wine Decanter Sports Bottle Thermos Flask\">\n\n    <span class=\"aawp-product__ribbon aawp-product__ribbon--sale\">Sale<\/span>\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__thumb\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__image-link\"\n           href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07X6C6J25?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"ALINK 5-Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner - Long Bamboo Handle Water Bottle Straw Cleaning Brush for Washing...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41RaGumc3qL.jpg\" alt=\"ALINK 5-Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner - Long Bamboo Handle Water Bottle Straw Cleaning Brush for Washing...\"  \/>\n        <\/a>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__content\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07X6C6J25?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"ALINK 5-Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner - Long Bamboo Handle Water Bottle Straw Cleaning Brush for Washing...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            ALINK 5-Pack Bottle Brush Cleaner - Long Bamboo Handle Water Bottle Straw Cleaning Brush for Washing...        <\/a>\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__description\">\n            <ul><li>Set of 5, includes 17\"\/16\" bottle brush, 15.3\" extra long straw brush, 10\" spout\/tube brush and bottle lid detail cleaner. This quintet is...<\/li><li>17\" extra long cleaning brush with 2.5\u201d extra wide bristles diameter can easy reach the bottom and clean all inside area, perfect for long...<\/li><li>16\u201d water bottle brush, with enough bristles on the top, is great for washing all standard and wide-neck decanter, thermos, Yeti\/ Rtic...<\/li><\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__footer\">\n\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__pricing\">\n                                                        \n            \n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/prime\/?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Amazon Prime\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"aawp-check-prime\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/aawp\/assets\/img\/icon-check-prime.svg\" height=\"16\" width=\"55\" alt=\"Amazon Prime\" \/><\/a>        <\/div>\n\n                <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07X6C6J25?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Check Latest Deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Latest Deals<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve got your brush, start dry scaping all around the outer window well. You\u2019ll want to avoid using any soap or water since you\u2019re already dealing with a leak. If you\u2019re really struggling to get rid of the buildup or you\u2019re dealing with some major grease, you can use a little bit of dish soap and water. Just be sure you dry it when you\u2019re done, by either wiping dry or even using a blow dryer.  <\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Canned Air<\/h4><p>Canned air is another multipurpose tool that can help you clean your leaky window. Simply aim the air into the weep holes and surrounding areas, and blow. Hopefully, the dirt will come flying out, if you\u2019re lucky. It&#8217;s also a good idea to stand back or at least wear a mask and goggles.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"aawp\">\n\n            \n            \n<div class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--horizontal aawp-product--ribbon aawp-product--sale aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B0000AE67M\" data-aawp-product-id=\"17893\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"lifeonroute02-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"Falcon Dust Off Compressed Gas  152a  Disposable Cleaning Duster 1 Count 3.5 oz Can  DPSJB ,Black\">\n\n    <span class=\"aawp-product__ribbon aawp-product__ribbon--sale\">Sale<\/span>\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__thumb\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__image-link\"\n           href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0000AE67M?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Falcon Dust, Off Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster, 1, Count, 3.5 oz Can...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41xVn2EDvMS.jpg\" alt=\"Falcon Dust, Off Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster, 1, Count, 3.5 oz Can...\"  \/>\n        <\/a>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__content\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0000AE67M?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Falcon Dust, Off Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster, 1, Count, 3.5 oz Can...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            Falcon Dust, Off Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster, 1, Count, 3.5 oz Can...        <\/a>\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__description\">\n            <ul><li>Falcon Dust-Off Aerosol Compressed Gas (152a) Disposable Cleaning Duster, 1-count, 3. 5 oz can The Original Duster 100% Ozone Safe A...<\/li><li>Compact<\/li><li>Indispensable for places where space is tight<\/li><\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__footer\">\n\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__pricing\">\n                                                        \n            \n                    <\/div>\n\n                <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0000AE67M?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Check Latest Deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Latest Deals<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See If Your Cleaning Did the Trick<\/h3><p>Now that you\u2019ve\nreally got in there and gotten rid of anything that could be causing\na traffic jam in the weep holes, you\u2019ll want to put them to the\ntest. \n<\/p><p>Using something with a\nsmall spout for easy, guided pouring (even a simple measuring cup\nwill work), slowly and carefully pour lukewarm water through the weep\nholes. \n<\/p><p>The water should drain clear. If there\u2019s still some sediment or dirt coming out with the water, keep pouring until it runs clear. This is essentially flushing out any leftover buildup that might be lurking in there.  <\/p><p>Also, if you had to use soap, this will get rid of any soap that\u2019s still hiding within the weep holes. Leftover soap residue can attract more buildup, so make sure it\u2019s all gone to avoid getting back to square one.  <\/p><p>If you want a clear visual of exactly how this will all work, have no fear. The video below does a great job demonstrating how to weeping holes in your RV window.  The guy in the video is using some copper wire but I prefer to use a bottle brush.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Leaking windows? Cleaning the weep holes on your Hehr RV windows\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uGzTHxkvL2k?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"still-leaks\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_if_Cleaning_Your_RV_Window_Doesnt_Fix_the_Leak\"><\/span>What to Do if Cleaning Your RV Window Doesn\u2019t Fix the Leak<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p>No need to panic!\nThere\u2019s another easy fix that you can do all on your own. It will\nstill cost less money and time than a visit to the nearest\nmaintenance shop, especially if you\u2019re in a bind. \n<\/p><p>If you\u2019ve already cleaned the outer window well and there\u2019s no lingering grease or grime, but there\u2019s still water coming in through that window, try to determine where the water is originating from.<\/p><p>If there\u2019s a break in the window, you\u2019ll need to replace the whole window. Fortunately this something you can do yourself. You&#8217;ll need to source a replacement window then you will follow the same steps as resealing your window below.<\/p><p> If you\u2019re seeing that the water is coming in from the outer edges of the window, you may need to simply reseal the window.  <\/p><p>While this might be a little more work than cleaning the window well, it&#8217;s not a difficult task so don\u2019t let the sound of it intimidate you. Resealing is a fairly simple procedure, but it can make a world of difference with a leaking window.  <\/p><p>However, it does involve removing the window, cleaning, resealing and reinstalling so you should be comfortable with a drill or screwdriver and have a buddy on hand to help.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/dreamstime_m_156297057-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/dreamstime_m_156297057-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/dreamstime_m_156297057-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/dreamstime_m_156297057-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/dreamstime_m_156297057.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Photo ID 156297057 \u00a9 Welcomia | Dreamstime.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> Materials<\/h4><p>It won\u2019t take a lot stuff to get the entire window removed, cleaned, and resealed. Most of the necessities are things that you already have on hand in your RV.<\/p><p>The sealing tape is something you\u2019ll likely need to purchase, but even with that, the cost will most likely be under $25. And, you\u2019ll feel pretty great about your own skills when you\u2019re done. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need:  <\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Screwdriver:<\/strong> that fits in the screws of your RV window. <\/li><li><strong>Putty knife: <\/strong>if you don\u2019t have one available, use whatever you can for a scraping tool, even an old credit or gift card can come in handy. <\/li><li><strong>Rags: <\/strong>again, whatever you have on hand will have to work, even paper towels are better than nothing.  <\/li><li><strong>Cleaner: <\/strong>whatever cleaner you have available, dish soap will work if you don\u2019t have other options. <\/li><li><strong>Butyl tape:<\/strong> used for creating the seal, (you&#8217;ll need to measure the perimeter of the window to see how much you need and add about 5 inches)<ul><li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07BJLHH24?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">White Butyl Tape<\/a>  (link to Amazon)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li> <strong>Caulk: <\/strong>if possible, choose one in a shade that will blend in with the exterior of your RV. This one doesn&#8217;t need a caulking gun.<ul><li> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00HNDHEKG?tag=lifeonroute02-20,tools,155&amp;sr=1-7&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=lifeonroute02-20&amp;linkId=d663ba1e614cea9b61a996a9667c7803&amp;language=en_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flex Shot Mildew Resistant Rubber Adhesive Sealant Caulk<\/a> (link to Amazon) <\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n<div class=\"aawp\">\n\n    <table class=\"aawp-table\">\n        <thead>\n            <tr>\n                                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-thumb\">Preview<\/th>\n                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-title\">Product<\/th>\n                                                <th class=\"aawp-table__th-links\"><\/th>\n            <\/tr>\n        <\/thead>\n        <tbody>\n                    \n            <tr class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B00HNDHEKG\" data-aawp-product-id=\"17894\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"lifeonroute02-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"Flex Shot 8 oz Almond Flexible Rubber Silicone Sealant Waterproof Caulk UV Resistant No Caulk Gun Needed Perfect for Kitchen Bath Showers Sinks Baseboards\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00HNDHEKG?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Flex Shot, 8 oz, Almond, Flexible Rubber Silicone Sealant, Waterproof Caulk, UV Resistant, No Caulk...\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31NymWDadhL.jpg\" alt=\"Flex Shot, 8 oz, Almond, Flexible Rubber Silicone Sealant, Waterproof Caulk, UV Resistant, No Caulk...\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00HNDHEKG?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Flex Shot, 8 oz, Almond, Flexible Rubber Silicone Sealant, Waterproof Caulk, UV Resistant, No Caulk...\"\n                       rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">Flex Shot, 8 oz, Almond, Flexible Rubber Silicone Sealant, Waterproof Caulk, UV Resistant, No...                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-links\" data-label=\"Link\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00HNDHEKG?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Check Latest Deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Latest Deals<\/a>                <\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n\n                    \n            <tr class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B07BJLHH24\" data-aawp-product-id=\"17895\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"lifeonroute02-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"White Butyl Tape 1\/8 inch x 1 inch x 30 feet for RV\/Mobile Home  Single Roll 1\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07BJLHH24?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"White Butyl Tape 1\/8 inch x 1 inch x 30 feet for RV\/Mobile Home (Single Roll)1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41T+cg8-VJL.jpg\" alt=\"White Butyl Tape 1\/8 inch x 1 inch x 30 feet for RV\/Mobile Home (Single Roll)1\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07BJLHH24?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"White Butyl Tape 1\/8 inch x 1 inch x 30 feet for RV\/Mobile Home (Single Roll)1\"\n                       rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">White Butyl Tape 1\/8 inch x 1 inch x 30 feet for RV\/Mobile Home (Single Roll)1                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-links\" data-label=\"Link\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07BJLHH24?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Check Latest Deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Latest Deals<\/a>                <\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n\n                    \n            <tr class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--ribbon aawp-product--sale aawp-product--css-adjust-image-large\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B00004YNM2\" data-aawp-product-id=\"17896\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"lifeonroute02-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"Red Devil 6251 EZ Grip Multi-Purpose Painter s Tool 3\">\n                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-thumb\" data-label=\"Preview\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00004YNM2?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Red Devil 6251 EZ Grip Multi-Purpose Painter's Tool, 3'\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aawp-product__img\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31nHOG9cX6L.jpg\" alt=\"Red Devil 6251 EZ Grip Multi-Purpose Painter's Tool, 3'\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-title\" data-label=\"Product\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00004YNM2?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Red Devil 6251 EZ Grip Multi-Purpose Painter's Tool, 3'\"\n                       rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">Red Devil 6251 EZ Grip Multi-Purpose Painter's Tool, 3\"                    <\/a>\n                <\/td>\n                                                <td class=\"aawp-table__td-links\" data-label=\"Link\">\n                    <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00004YNM2?tag=lifeonroute02-20\" title=\"Check Latest Deals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Check Latest Deals<\/a>                <\/td>\n            <\/tr>\n\n                <\/tbody>\n    <\/table>\n\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Steps_to_Resealing_An_RV_Window\"><\/span> 9 Steps to Resealing An RV Window<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Take Out Screws <\/h3><p>Before you can remove the window itself and get down to business, you\u2019ll need to remove the screws. Before you start, have a second person in position right outside the window, standing on a ladder if necessary. <\/p><p>You\u2019ll need this person to help remove the window and having them in place while removing the screws will prevent a major disaster if the window is loose and falls out prematurely.  <\/p><p>Unscrew the screws that are holding the window in place and set them aside. Put them somewhere that they won\u2019t roll away and they\u2019ll be easy to access again when you\u2019re ready, small tupperware containers are perfect for this.<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Peel Off the Seal<\/h3><p>Gently pull back and peel off all of the old sealant, this part is always fairly satisfying. This isn\u2019t something that you\u2019ll be able to salvage and ultimately is what you\u2019re replacing, so go ahead and throw this in the garbage.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Scrape off Buildup <\/h3><p>This is another part of the job that, while not really fun and exciting, is exceptionally satisfying. Using the cleaner or soap and towels, gently scrub away any debris and buildup that\u2019s around the window, including the walls on the outside of the RV as well.  <\/p><p>While one person addresses the buildup around the window opening, another can work on the residue that\u2019s living on the window itself. There can be some gunk stuck in some of the overhangs on the non-glass parts of the window, so go slowly and pay extra attention to any areas where this yucky stuff might be hiding.  <\/p><p>You want to get rid of anything that could possibly be in the window seal areas. A clean smooth surface will allow proper adhesion of the seal and prevent future leaks. If you come across any stubborn spots that refuse to go away, use the putty knife. Once you\u2019ve gotten rid of all the residue and your RV and window frame is sparkly clean, this part is done.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Dry, Dry, and Dry Some More <\/h3><p>Since we\u2019re trying to fix a leak and hopefully prevent any more from popping up, make sure that the window well and surrounding area is dry. Leaving any dampness will just trap the moisture into your seal, leaving it with no escape.<\/p><p>Leaving\nbehind even a trace of <a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/guide-to-inspecting-rv-water-damage\/\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">water can cause even more water damage<\/a>. So,\nthat old \u201cit\u2019s better to be safe than sorry\u201d rule applies here.\nThere\u2019s no such thing as too dry. \n<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Seal with Butyl Tape <\/h3><p>Measure out a piece of tape that\u2019s a little longer than the actual length that you\u2019ll need. You\u2019ll need to trim later, so keep that in mind. Leaving about five inches of excess should be plenty.  <\/p><p>Starting\nat the bottom and working slowly upward, attach the Butyl tape around\nthe window, creating a new seal. The tape should be partially inside\nthe RV as well, so you\u2019re creating a tight seal for both the\ninterior and exterior. \n<\/p><p> The seam of the tape should be at the bottom and try to make it fit together as much as humanly possible. Leaving the seam at the top can leave a weak spot in the seal, which could lead to a leak in the future.  <\/p><p>As you make your way around the edges of the window, pinch the inside and outside together to get the tape firmly stuck in place. Also, make sure to press the top of the tape into place on the thin wall where the window opening is. All in all, the tape should be smoothed into place, leaving absolutely no gaps to be found.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Replace the Window <\/h3><p>Using your trusty two-person window removal technique, with one inside and one outside, carefully hoist the window and set it into place. As you\u2019re positioning the window, pay special attention to working around the seal.  <\/p><p>Although the butyl tape should be firmly stuck in place, you still don\u2019t want to risk any extra jostling that could loosen or weaken the seal formed with the tape.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Replace the Screws <\/h3><p>Locate\nthose screws that you put in an extra safe spot for easy finding.\nEven though the window should be held in place by the RV wall, you\u2019ll\nstill want to ensure it doesn\u2019t fall out. \n<\/p><p>Accidents\nhappen and they always seem to be at the most inconvenient times, so\na broken window at this point would make fixing that leak all for\nnot. \n<\/p><p>While your partner is outside the RV, keeping their hands on the window to prevent it from falling out, start replacing those screws. It\u2019s best to work in opposites, so if you start at the bottom left, your next screw should be the top right. By doing this, you\u2019re securing each side of the window, and again preventing the window from falling out.  <\/p><p>Once you\u2019ve put in all of the screws, your partner is safe to let go of the window.  <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Caulk the Window <\/h3><p>Just like you did with the butyl tape, start at the bottom just in case there are any gaps left. It\u2019s harder to leave a gap with caulk, but again, better safe than sorry.  <\/p><p>Slowly, work your way upward, around the window, evenly apply the caulk. Once you\u2019ve circled around the whole window, take your finger and smooth out the caulk. Trace the whole window, all around where the seal was applied. If you need help getting the caulk smooth, spray a bit of window cleaner on your finger and then smooth the caulk.  <\/p><p>By doing this, you\u2019re making sure that there are no areas left uncovered. It will also press caulk into any air bubbles that might have been created, and it will even out the amount that\u2019s been applied. Let the caulk dry according to the time on the container. <\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Test it Out <\/h3><p>Once your caulking is dry it&#8217;s time to test your repair job but, don\u2019t get too crazy. You&#8217;ll want to make sure that you properly sealed the window by giving it a test. Using a spray bottle or something with similar pressure, spritz water directly at the window. <\/p><p>If you followed all of these steps and created a perfect seal, the new seal will keep out any of that water. And, hopefully, there won\u2019t be any downpours in the near future, just to make sure that seal has time to cure. More than likely, you\u2019ll be on the road again, free of window leaks, in no time.  <\/p><p>This video does an excellent job of showing how to replace the seal around your camper window.  They do use a specific RV window resealing kit, found <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"here (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/sealdesignllc.com\/product\/seal-tite-window-foamcore-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>, but the  process is the same.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"RV 101\u00ae - RV How-To Reseal &amp; Replace RV Windows\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K02m24R73B0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nothing shuts down a fun family vacation quite like a leaky window in your RV. Whether you wake up to a puddle on the ground by a window or you\u2019re<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3395","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rv-maintenance"],"author_meta":{"display_name":"Diane Dee","author_link":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/author\/dedavies3\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/dreamstime_m_130071135-300x208.jpg","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/category\/rvs\/rv-maintenance\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">RV Maintenance<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">RV Maintenance<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 years ago","modified":"Updated 5 years ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on January 8, 2020","modified":"Updated on June 8, 2020"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on January 8, 2020 9:28 pm","modified":"Updated on June 8, 2020 8:30 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"ID 130071135 \u00a9 Uros Medved | Dreamstime.com","series_order":"","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3395"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4189,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3395\/revisions\/4189"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3395"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lifeonroute.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}