Water damage is the most expensive repair a caravan owner faces — and it's almost always preventable.
Of all the problems we see at Alpine Caravan Services, water damage is consistently the most costly for owners. A small leak — often invisible and symptom-free for months — can quietly rot the timber frame of a caravan from the inside.
Caravans are sealed at dozens of points — window frames, roof hatches, antenna mounts, air conditioning bases, corner moulds, body joins, and door frames. Every one of these is a potential entry point as the sealant ages and the van flexes with road vibration.
Most modern caravans use silicone or polyurethane sealants. These products are durable, but they're not permanent. Once a gap opens in a seal, even a narrow one, water finds it.
Caravan insurance typically does not cover water damage caused by deteriorating seals. The reasoning is that seal deterioration is a maintenance issue, not an accidental event.
Repair work for established water damage involves stripping interior cladding, removing and replacing rotted timber framing, remediating mould, and rebuilding affected sections. For severe cases, the cost can exceed the value of the caravan.
The most effective prevention is regular seal inspection — ideally annually as part of your caravan service. For proactive resealing, the general industry guidance is every 3–6 years depending on the age of the van, how it's stored, and what it's made of.
At Alpine Caravan Services in Kilsyth, seal inspection is included in every full service.
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