Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Table of Contents
Help is your RV Window Seal Shrinking?
Is your RV window seal shrinking? This common issue among RV owners can lead to a host of problems. As RVs age, exposure to varying weather conditions can cause the window seals to contract and lose effectiveness.
- Age is a primary factor in window seal shrinkage.
- Exposure to elements, such as UV rays, contributes.
- Poor quality material can lead to premature shrinkage.
- Installation errors can exacerbate the shrinking process.
- Shrinking seals can cause leaks and drafts.
- Replacing the seal is the best solution.
I love having windows in my RV, and plenty of them. The more natural light, the better, in my opinion. However, RV windows can develop small gaps over time, which can cause water to leak during periods of rain.
These gaps or holes may cause window fogging, leading to mold and other related issues. Such gaps and holes are often the results of the window sealant shrinking, but it’s not the end of the world.
If you’re experiencing this issue, it’s crucial to address it promptly to prevent further damage.
Understanding the causes and signs of a shrinking RV window seal can help you take necessary preventative measures and maintain the longevity of your recreational vehicle.
So, if you need help with your RV window seal shrinking, you’ve come to the right place.
What Causes RV Windows to Shrink?
Let’s start by determining what caused the seals on your RV window to shrink. There are several potential causes of RV seals shrinking. Everyday use and aging are two of the most frequent culprits.
Those RV window seals are susceptible to drying out and shrinking from repeated use and age. Sunlight is another culprit in the premature deterioration of RV window seals. Sunlight’s ultraviolet rays can quickly deteriorate a wide variety of materials.
Materials composed of silicone, rubber, and similar compounds tend to degrade in direct sunlight. As a result, the silicone or rubber will dry out and contract in size.
It is the same if we are discussing significant temperature changes. This sealant can dry out and contract if exposed to excessively hot and dry air.
Extreme temperature changes, particularly from hot to cold and back again, could also trigger this.
Is Your RV Under Warranty?
Now, if you have a relatively new RV and see that the RV window seals are shrinking, it could simply be a case of poor installation.
As a side note, it’s always wise to check the warranty on your RV window seals before attempting to repair or replace them yourself. The manufacturer should replace the window seals if the warranty is still in effect.
The best repair is to reseal or replace the window. Most people choose to take their RV to a service center and get the repair done.
However, it’s straightforward to do it ourselves, and in this article, we’ll be looking at how to reseal or replace the RV windows.
How To Reseal An RV Window
First, we’ll need a sealing window kit with everything needed to get the job done. Most of them come with one or two rolls of hybrid seal tapes. These tapes are usually 5/16 inch round, and their length is sufficient for several windows.
The good things about these tapes are that they do not require any trimming, do not ooze or sag, and have excellent temperature resistance for warm and cold climates.
These tapes have round shapes and allow precise placement around the radiuses of the window without leaving any gaps falling off or rolling.
The tape has to be run along the inside seams. On the corners, mold the small pieces of tape around to join other pieces on either side.
The kit also comes with cartridges of clean finishing sealing. Usually, they have a unique white color, which, after drying, becomes apparent.
The white color helps the user know where he is placing the sealant, and then the finish dries to a clear, clean finish, which provides a good look at all the RV exteriors.
Using the putty knife, which may or may not come with the kit, we can clean the surfaces, and the sealant is finished with the spray bottle.
The kit can also have other valuable items and a brief catalog to teach how to replace the RV window.
How To Remove And Replace An RV Windows
On the interior window frames, there are screws which keep the clamping secured to the window. We have to locate them and remove all of the screws using the correct screwdriver tip.
Once the clamp rings are removed from the window frame, the window can be easily removed.
Always use two people to remove the window—one person to push it from the inside while the other has to hold it properly so it doesn’t fall and break.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to RVgeeks
Proper Cleaning is Essential
After this, clean the old sealant from the edges of the window, the interiors of the frames, the fiberglass frame, and the exterior metal on the window. With the help of the putty knife, we can easily scrape off the old sealant from the window frame.
After the old sealants have been removed, the exterior surface of the unit and the window have to be cleaned using a suitable cleaner.
Many types of cleaners are available in the market, but the most popular used cleaner is denatured alcohol, which can be quickly soaked by a cloth for cleaning.
For those units with metallic exteriors, we will check the staples and see if they are rusted, and if they are, we will replace those staples with new ones.
We’ll remove the old staples and re-staple the metal to the frames. It is best to start from the bottom, where the component weep holes are located. Install all the new seal-type sealant around the window frame and leave no gaps.
Position the tape at 1/8th of an inch from the window edge for an approximation.
Overlap the tape to a length of 3/8th of an inch where it meets the bottom corner. Since the tape doesn’t require trimming and doesn’t sag, it fits into the frame perfectly.
Just as we did while removing the window, we’ll have two people reinstalling as well—one person on the outside and the other on the inside to assist the outer person.
While installing, we’ll ensure that the window component is on the right side up and the weep holes in the window are at the bottom.
We’ll place the interior column ring against the window, and now we have to insert the screws, but before that, we’ll be assured that the screw holes are in line.
We can fasten the screws in any sequence we want, but to hold the window in position while we’re fastening, we should fasten them in an opposite screw position pattern. For example, if we start with the upper-left corner screw, then fasten the lower-right screw next.
If the next screw is lower-right, then the following one should be upper-right. We’ll proceed in this manner by fastening the left-middle, then the right-middle, and so on until all the screws have been fastened securely.
We will make sure we do not over-tighten the screws, as this may break the glass.
After fastening all the screws, the process of finishing is to be done using the white finishing sealing. We’ll start from the top and finish around the top window radiuses.
The white color of the finishing will give us an idea of whether we are applying the finish correctly.
We will apply it well and then leave it to dry. After drying, it will automatically become transparent. It’s good to use such a finish that doesn’t have any solvent and is waterproof because it can be cleaned easily using water.
Using the putty knife, we’ll peel off the extra sealing tape, which may bleed out while the window is compressed against the sides. We should be careful while moving the knife to the edge and not pulling the tape from underneath the window itself.
Resealing and replacing the RV window is not a difficult task, and it can be done quickly and in no time if we follow the steps mentioned earlier.
What is the Gap in the RV Window Seal?
The gap in the RV window seal is a design aspect that serves a crucial purpose. It’s not, as some might assume, a flaw or a sign of damage. The gap is intentionally placed to function as a drainage outlet.
During travel or inclement weather, it’s common for water to accumulate behind the window. If not addressed, this accumulation could lead to potential damage or even safety issues.
Therefore, these gaps are engineered into the window seal’s design to allow any built-up water to drain freely outside the coach, mitigating any potential risks associated with water buildup.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to Outliers Overland.
Final Words
The condition of the window seal in your Recreational Vehicle (RV) can significantly impact your comfort and the overall efficiency of your vehicle. If you’re asking yourself, “Help, is your RV Window Seal Shrinking?” it’s crucial to understand the factors contributing to this issue.
The age of the seal is the primary factor in window seal shrinkage – older seals are more likely to shrink and lose their effectiveness. Exposure to harsh elements such as UV rays can expedite this process, causing the seal to shrink faster than usual.
The quality of the material used in the seal can also play a significant role. Poor quality material is prone to premature shrinkage, leading to early degradation of the seal.
Likewise, installation errors when fitting the seal can exacerbate the shrinking process, reducing its life span.
Shrinking seals can cause many problems, including leaks and drafts, which can affect the internal environment of your RV, making it less comfortable to live in.
Replacing the seal is often the best solution in light of these issues. Replacing a shrunken seal with a high-quality one properly installed can prevent future issues, ensuring a comfortable and efficient RV environment.
Home page
Back to the top of the page
