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Old 03-21-2015, 05:49 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Roof Leak

So I recently purchased a short bus to convert into a food truck. I have recently discovered that there is a leak coming from the roof, and this makes it difficult to move forward in the process. I have painted the roof with multiple coats of elastomeric paint but it has not worked. I can't really identify any specific places on top of the roof that would be causing the leak so I'm very confused. The roof had been raised with wood, so there is a crevice on the side connecting the two that seem to be concerning, however, the water does not seem to be coming from the side as it is dripping from the metal paneling on the roof. It's pretty much only dripping on the sides, and mainly in the corners. If anyone has any advice/suggestions please let me know!

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Old 03-21-2015, 06:47 PM   #2
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The roof hatches on mine leaked horribly.
Check them. They can let water in and it rests between the metal panels of the ceiling and roof. I'm cleaning up the mess that the leaks caused.
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Old 03-22-2015, 12:29 AM   #3
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Lights. Pull your lights and seal them up. Apparently I can't just post a one word response.
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Old 03-22-2015, 01:25 PM   #4
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I don't think it's the lights. And there's no roof hatch on it so it can't be that either. I'm starting to think that they just didn't use the right material when raising roof. Here's a couple photos to get a better idea of the leak. It doesn't seem to be coming from a particular area, but instead somehow building up a lot of moisture on the inside.
Attached Thumbnails
photo 2 (2).JPG   photo 1 (1).JPG  
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Old 03-22-2015, 01:39 PM   #5
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Has anyone else had the giant red flag go up with the fact that the roof was raised with wood? The structural strength of the bus is compromised.

The pictures seem to indicate that your water leak may be more condensation than anything else. Is it cold and humid outside? If there is no insulation in the roof it may be just condensation, put a heater inside and warm the thing up. It will be easier to locate any leaks when everything else is dry.
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Old 03-22-2015, 01:42 PM   #6
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BTW If the food inspector sees the roof raised with wood, you may not be able to use it at all. I would check with the right people first before continuing.
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Old 03-22-2015, 02:53 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by bluebird90 View Post
BTW If the food inspector sees the roof raised with wood, you may not be able to use it at all. I would check with the right people first before continuing.
Yeah, I'm going to call them. Do you think there is any way to cover the wood with something else on both sides?
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Old 03-22-2015, 02:54 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluebird90 View Post
Has anyone else had the giant red flag go up with the fact that the roof was raised with wood? The structural strength of the bus is compromised.
Oh dear.. yeh, that's scary...

It might be ok if it isn't going to be driven and much snow-load isn't expected, but I'd seriously consider getting another bus.

pdxfood: Is the roof honestly being held in place by wood and screws, or is there welded steel holding it all together? It's hard to tell from those photos. I would fear that the wood part could buckle sideways and dump the roof.
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Old 03-22-2015, 02:59 PM   #9
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Oh dear.. yeh, that's scary...

It might be ok if it isn't going to be driven and much snow-load isn't expected, but I'd seriously consider getting another bus.

pdxfood: Is the roof honestly being held in place by wood and screws, or is there welded steel holding it all together? It's hard to tell from those photos. I would fear that the wood part could buckle sideways and dump the roof.
The roof was raised with wood, but only the side is wood. The whole roof is metal, and its being held into the wood with metal and screws. It won't be driven much at all, and Portland never gets snow, at least not enough to be concerned. I'm considering getting another bus...but was hoping I wouldn't have to
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Old 03-22-2015, 03:03 PM   #10
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Oh wow, thats not a very good way to raise a roof at all. Not trying to be mean or negative, but thats not how I'd do it.
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Old 03-22-2015, 03:05 PM   #11
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Oh wow, thats not a very good way to raise a roof at all. Not trying to be mean or negative, but thats not how I'd do it.
Yeah :/ it's not the way I'd do it either, lol. The previous owners had raised the roof, and I had no idea it would cause so many issues.
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Old 03-22-2015, 03:07 PM   #12
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These photos should give you an idea of how it was done
Attached Thumbnails
photo 1 (2).JPG   photo 2 (4).JPG  
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Old 03-22-2015, 06:28 PM   #13
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Fellow skoolies, IMO

This roof raise using wood is why I recommend NOT buying a bus that was already modified / converted. Your buying someone else's mistakes.

I would cut that apart and fix it. However in reality where they cut it, there is no fixing it. That is right at the curve point, no room to splice onto the support ribs.

A different bus would be my approach. That one is fit for storage that never moves.

Having said all that, Do what you need to with your budget to get by.

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