I Need help and advice with replacement Canvas for Popup Roof.

[garygiles1963]

Hi


I recently had the canvas for my popup replaced by a Canvasman Canvasman: We Have The Outdoors Covered - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club] based in Bradford. Unfortunately, it has been a complete disaster. Whilst on my 1st trip and 1st full day of rain, the installation leaked like a sieve. Links to pics and vids Microsoft OneDrive - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club]

This happened in Austria traveling down to Turkey for a planned 5-month trip to Turkey, Georgia and Armenia. Because the leaks were so bad which flooded the truck, I decided to return to the UK and get it sorted.

Canvasmas took the canvas off and refitted it last Thursday. I tested it over the weekend with a garden hose set to spray setting. Still leaks just the same as before. Links to Pics and vids Microsoft OneDrive - [Leaving Land Cruiser Club]

This is a copy of the email I received from the boss this morning.

Hi Gary

I’m sorry to hear that, it’s really disappointing for us both. We did put a lot of time and effort to try and stop it and I know the inconvenience for you is significant, so I am sorry for that. I think the design with the mesh on the outside just isn’t working as water can get in the gap.

We are committed to achieving a satisfactory result and we are willing to remake with window on outside and try again or offer a refund if you prefer.

I personally don’t think it’s anything to do with the mesh being on the outside. This is how it seems to be done on all the installations I have seen. I think it’s the material that they using is absorbing the water and sucking it in.

I would very much appreciate anyone thoughts on what I should do next. Anyone with experience of installing a canvas on a popup would be great to get your thoughts.

Thanks in advance.
Gary

 

[Gr8Yota]

Hi Gary,

Really sorry to hear this, it looked like they’d done a great job. My mesh is outside as are many roof tents etc so I don’t think this is an issue. I would start by sealing all the seams with seam tape if they are not already and then applying Grangers Fabsil over the entire canvas. Stitching lets water in in two ways, firstly it makes a row of holes across the fabric and secondly the thread acts as a capillary allowing the water to ingress down the thread. Sealing the inside stops both of these.

These guys are my go to for fabric and associated so have a look at what they sell or give them a call they are really helpful.

Waterproofing & Seam Sealing - Outdoor & Camping

Point North's collection of seam sealing and waterproofing kits. Includes top of the line Nikwax, Grangers and McNett products.

www.profabrics.co.uk

You can also achieve this with painting glue along the seams on the inside but it looks awful.


Looking at some of your pictures It would seem that some of the ingress is definitely through seams. But I can’t quite work out if it is also pooling on the outside along the join to the frame and then finding a way into the inevitable gaps that will exist at joints. If so then you might need to add a bead of silicone along the outside?

It does look like the fabric itself is waterproof but the Fabsil would still be a good addition.

 

[Gr8Yota]

I also see one (or more) zips is letting it in. Did they fit any type of cover /deflector over the zips or are they exposed on the outside? There would normally be a piece of fabric over the top of a standard zip (or behind it) to deflect the rain. (Think tent or even rain jacket).

 

[Lorin]

I would second Gr8Yota. Definitely seal the seams and treat the fabric and check again.

What fabric did they use and what is the hydrostatic head?

 

[garygiles1963]

HI

Many thanks for your reply’s.

I'm confident that a large amount of seam sealant has already been applied. Canvasman spent a couple of hours on Thursday and 5hrs on Friday morning applying seam sealant. I stupidly trusted them when they said they felt it was sort and I left without checking it myself, having a 4hr drive to return home and get my caravan out of storage.

There are points where water is coming through stitching. Why I think it is an issue with the canvas looking at the pictures and videos is the water even and constant across to rear panel, nowhere near a seam join. My feeling is the canvas is absorbing the water and its being sucked under the right-angle clamp.

Canvasman did give me another tube of seam sealant which I will apply this afternoon and do another test this evening. I’ll take more pics of the installation itself and how the water is pooling on the outside.

Let me know if there is anything else that you like to see.

Thanks again.

Regards
Gary

 

[Lorin]

If the canvas itself is leaking I would suggest requesting the spec of the canvas used. Either way, if the seals are sealed as you say, it may be possible to completely resolve the issue with a proper cavas waterproofing treatment.

 

[Lorin]

If the canvas itself is leaking I would suggest requesting the spec of the canvas used. Either way, if the seams are sealed as you say, it may be possible to completely resolve the issue with a proper canvas waterproofing treatment.

 

[Gr8Yota]

Agree with Lorin. If you think the canvas itself leaks then ask for an offcut and set it up with a ‘puddle’ in it and see if it drips through. Then coat it with Fabsil and repeat. But I would also say if the fabric itself is leaking then they should replace it. Trouble is even if they give you a full refund it doesn’t help you at all You have a truck you can’t use. I’ll keep thinking.

 

[garygiles1963]

Hi

Thanks for your suggestions. Much appriciated.

I will try to get the specification of the canvas and a sample.

To be honest I am totally demoralised by it all. I shouldn’t have to be doing any of this. I’ve paid over £4500. Gave them a 2nd chance, and it’s no different from the 1st installation. Now I can’t use the truck until this is fixed, which will take months.

I’m going to go to ABENTEUER & ALLRAD, to see what my options are.

I’ll keep you updated.

Many thanks.
Gary

 

[garygiles1963]

hi

This is the reply from Canvasman.


Hi Gary

I have 100% confidence in the canvas. It isn’t fully waterproof, but it does have a very good water resistance and a water column test of 700mm. In my experience the only time water comes through the canvas are when these 3 things are all happening. Its lost its outer coating, its touching a surface (this is usually only on a horizontal surface)and when its torrential rain or if water has collected on the surface. We have used it for 30 years (it has been improved over the years) for all sorts of outdoor and marine applications and its pretty much an industry standard for outdoor boat covers and canopies.

Will happily send you a sample and the specs are attached. Yours is the PU coated version. Let me know if you need anything else.

Kind regards

Have attached the pdf that was sent.

G.