What exactly does a leak survey catch, and why does it matter before you buy?

A leak survey is a deliberate hunt for water entry points before they become expensive problems. We inspect the roof (Dicor sealant condition, EPDM or TPO membrane integrity), all window frames (caulk cracks, seal degradation), slide-out seals (Schwintek or Lippert mechanisms), door thresholds, vent boots, antenna mounts, and plumbing penetrations. We also check interior moisture damage - soft walls, stained cabinetry, mold spores - using moisture meters and visual forensics.

A single undetected leak in a 2015 Forest River can cost $8,000+ to fully remediate if it's rotted the floor structure or shorted out wiring. Pre-purchase, this survey gives you hard data to negotiate or walk away.

We inspected a 2018 Jayco Jay Flight owner-operated from the Midwest last year. He thought the rig was clean, but our survey found a hairline crack in the roof Dicor sealant above the bedroom vent and a wet wall cavity behind the kitchen slide-out.

The moisture meter readings were 18 - 22% (dry is under 12%). That leak had been silent for months.

Without the survey, he'd have bought a rig with structural rot waiting to happen. Full remediation ended up being $6,200 - floor decking replacement, slide-out seal rebuild, interior reconstruction.

He renegotiated the purchase price instead. That's the power of a leak survey.

Inspection points covered:

How do we diagnose a leak if you can't see obvious water?

Most active leaks don't announce themselves with visible drips - they hide in walls and floor cavities until rot shows up. We use a three-step diagnosis: visual inspection with a flashlight and magnifying glass (checking for sealant cracks, missing caulk, separation between materials), moisture meter probing (pointing an electronic meter at suspect areas to read moisture content in wood, walls, and cabinetry), and pressure testing (using low-pressure air or water spray to simulate rain and watch for seepage). A Winnebago Travato with a micro-crack in the roof caulking might show 16% moisture deep in the wall but no visible stain for months. Catching it at survey time saves thousands in hidden remediation.

A 2016 Tiffin Motorhome owner came to us after buying a rig from a private seller in Idaho. Interior looked spotless, but our survey found soft cabinetry near the master window.

Pressure test revealed the caulk seal had failed. We estimated $2,800 for window reglazing and interior rebuild.

Owner fought back with the survey report and knocked $3,200 off the purchase price. Without the meter and pressure test, he'd never have known. That's why we don't rely on your eyes alone.

Diagnostic tools and methods:

A1 RV Repair certified mobile tech on-site at a customer rig.
A1 RV Repair certified mobile tech on-site at a customer rig.

What does the repair and sealing process look like once we find a leak?

Repair depends on whether the leak is active or dormant and how deep the water has already traveled. Active leaks get sealed first: we remove old Dicor or TPO-brand sealant, clean the joint (acetone wash, air dry), and re-seal with new elastomeric caulk or membrane tape. If water has penetrated into cavities, we inject foam barriers or replace structural sections.

Dormant leaks with soft wood require decking removal, rot assessment, frame replacement, and re-sealing. A fresh roof seal on a Keystone takes 4 - 6 hours.

A full slide-out seal replacement (Schwintek) with interior drying runs 8 - 12 hours. We work flat-rate quoted by phone first - no surprises.

A 2017 Grand Design owner came in with a musty smell and a suspected leak near the front window. Our survey found active seepage and 19% wall moisture.

The window's Dicor sealant had cracked from UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycles. We removed the window frame, cleaned and prepped the joint, replaced rotted caulking foam behind the trim, installed new Dicor elastomeric sealant, and re-mounted the window.

Interior walls were dried with portable dehumidifiers over 24 hours. Total: 10 hours labor, $1,200.

He paid flat-rate. No guessing.

Repair process steps:

What are the real costs, and what drives the price up or down?

Leak survey alone: $400 - $650 depending on rig length and complexity. Basic roof seal: $600 - $1,200. Window reglaze: $400 - $800 per window.

Slide-out seal rebuild: $800 - $1,600. Full floor decking replacement (if rot is deep): $3,000 - $6,000.

Price scales with rig size (a 40-foot diesel pusher costs more than a 22-foot travel trailer) and damage scope. A one-leak job costs less than a three-leak remediation.

Dicor and TPO membrane repairs are standard; specialty adhesives or structural lumber drive costs higher. We quote flat-rate by phone - call (866) 623-1340, describe your rig and symptoms, and we give you a number.

A Coachmen Pursuit owner with a 32-foot rig called for a leak survey after noticing a soft spot in the kitchen. Survey was $550.

We found one active leak at the vent and two older water stains in the wall. Active leak seal: $900.

Dried cavity and interior touch-up: $500. Total repair: $1,400.

If he'd ignored it for another year, the floor frame would've needed replacement - $5,000+. Early detection saved him money. That's why the upfront survey investment pays.

Cost factors:

Flat-rate quote before the truck rolls. No surprise charges.
Flat-rate quote before the truck rolls. No surprise charges.

How long does the entire survey and repair process take from start to finish?

Survey itself: 2 - 3 hours depending on rig size and complexity. A 22-footer runs faster than a 40-foot toy hauler. Basic single-leak repair: 4 - 6 hours same-day.

Multi-leak jobs or structural work: 2 - 5 days. We're mobile - we come to you in our covered metros.

Core-area emergency response: 2 - 4 hours. You don't wait in a dealer shop.

If your Atwood or Dometic plumbing is involved and we need to order parts (gaskets, seals, connectors), add 1 - 2 business days for delivery. We manage the timeline and keep you posted.

A Thor Four Winds owner in Boise called Friday morning with water dripping from the bedroom ceiling. We arrived by noon.

Survey took 2.5 hours and found a cracked roof vent boot. We sealed it that afternoon (3 hours labor) and pressure-tested it Saturday morning to confirm.

Total time: 1 day. No waiting for the dealer's service schedule.

The owner was back on the road Saturday evening. That's the mobile advantage - speed and flexibility.

Typical timeline:

What warranty covers the leak repair, and what happens if it leaks again?

A1 RV Repair backs every leak repair with a 90-day workmanship warranty. If the seal we installed fails or a repaired joint leaks within 90 days, we come back and fix it at no charge (parts and labor). This applies to roof seals, window reglazes, slide-out seals, and plumbing repairs.

The warranty covers our work, not pre-existing damage or manufacturer defects in the component itself (a faulty Schwintek motor, for example, is on the manufacturer). We document every repair with photos and a work order so you have proof if an issue arises. Most leaks don't reappear - we do it right the first time.

A 2014 Jayco owner paid for a window reglaze in March. Five weeks later, a thermal stress crack opened up in the new Dicor sealant (rare, but it happens).

He called us back. We came out, re-prepped the joint, and re-sealed at zero cost - 90-day warranty covered it.

No argument, no invoice. That's the difference between a tech who stands behind the work and a dealer service department that forgets your phone number after you pay.

Warranty coverage details:

Same-day mobile RV repair from A1 RV Repair's nationwide network.
Same-day mobile RV repair from A1 RV Repair's nationwide network.