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Along the Natchez Trace

Sunday, February 1, 2015

MAJOR OVERHAUL....

Nope, not for me, 'though I could no doubt use one.  A few months ago Bill restrung the window blind that is over our dinette and when he tried to re-install it, the screws didn't seem to have anything to dig into.  Not good....  

We weren't in a place we could do much about it then.  And of course we didn't know the extent of damage...  or even where, exactly or what was damaged.

So when we got back up to our daughter's place it was time to do something.

We were fortunate in that they have a house that they use as a vacation rental and it would be free of renters until Valentine's Day.  So Friday Bill & I took the necessary stuff to live in the house for a couple of weeks.  By the way, it's amazing what's "essential" to live away from home.  I know, we spend months abroad or on a cruise, but this time I didn't just pack a few changes of underwear, I took some of my favorite things...  like our own flannel sheets, my huge skillet....  just "stuff", even though this house is totally furnished...  even down to the fridge being full of condiments and the bathroom having "hotel size" toiletries...  I mean totally!  

And not only that, we're just a few hundred feet away from where our rig is parked and being worked on...  but...  all that aside...

The windows had to come out....  that meant that everything along that side of the rig (inside) had to be moved.  Now...  we live in a 27' rig...  no slideouts....  everything is very compact.  We took our computers and printer over to the rental house.  The rest of the stuff ...  and I do mean lots of it...  had to be stacked in the bathroom or any other available space.

When the windows were out, Bill and Victor, our son-in-law, could see the problems.  Looks like we had a major leak around the window  probably where 2 parts overlapped.  We have no idea how long ago...  but the water had come down through the wall and rotted out the wood frame around the window.  

I put a big arrow pointing to some damage.  That cup is sitting on the housing for the batteries (for the generator).  Just in front of that is the storage bin I use for computer supplies and any other odds and ends that I don't have to use daily.  Yeah...  that's all stored in bins for the time being.

Looking from one end of our rig towards the other...
You can see where both windows should be...  and there was enough water damage to rot both frames.  In the foreground is where the couch is...  those cushions are stored elsewhere now.  I've written that we don't have a TV...  so what's that thing dead center?  I guess it IS a TV but it's never been used as such... it's what I use for my Wii.  It's amazing how much exercise a person can do in less than one square yard space!  If you look close you'll see our 5 grandkid's high school graduation photos (my, they're outdated!) and our great-granddaughter's birth announcement hanging on the wall.  (Also very outdated)...  Guess I need to overhaul my photo album when we get back in the rig.

You'll see Victor's legs on the ladder outside...  What's he doing?
From the outside looking in...
Those 2 arrows show where the major damage is.  But, in order to repair and replace, all the siding has to come off from this side.
No kidding!
Bill & Victor are patiently unscrewing every screw that holds it all on...  from back there where the ladder is, clear to the front over the driver's side door.
Bill says he'll have to order some 1/8" plywood as most local places don't carry that size.  He'll also have to order new window gaskets from Lazy Daze.  Actually he won't know what all he'll need to do until the siding is off and they can get a good look.

Our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter are kind enough to park their vehicles elsewhere while we take over their carport for a few weeks.

I'll be honest...  this job seems overwhelming to me.  
I kinda have a feeling that 2 weeks isn't going to be nearly long enough time to get the job done.
I'll keep y'all posted on how it's coming along.  

That's All For Today!

21 comments:

  1. Yes, I agree - Wow! I'm just glad you found the problem and are taking care of it. I know people who find things like that and don't choose to do the repair. Good luck, I hope when the panels are off the damage is easy to fix. :)

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  2. Some men just revel in this sort of job. More power to 'em.

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  3. Wow, that is a lot of work. Nice that you have a nice place to do the work.

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  4. Ugh! I have no idea what I would do in a similar circumstance. So glad you are at your daughter's house.

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  5. The curse of RVs is that sneaky water damage. I hope the repairs go smoothly and all the necessary parts are available.

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  6. That looks like a ton of work. But it is great that you have a place to hole up and some help with the project. Nice to be able to fix things up under controlled circumstances.

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  7. That's a tough one. we look after things very well but there are still some things we can't see. I hope it goes back together well.

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  8. Fingers crossed that two weeks is long enough.

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  9. Yikes. Hope everything goes back together OK. Try not to let the damage overwhelm you. It can be fixed, whatever it is.

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  10. Oh man - that does look like a job. You're lucky you have a place and the skills to work on it yourselves. Good luck with the repair.

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  11. What a mess! I can't believe Bill's patience (and skill). I'd have said, "Let's buy a new rig!" Of course, that doesn't mean I'd have the money to pay for one.

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  12. You're also lucky that you can have the rig under a roof while working on it. Besides of leaks condensation is often the reason for rotting wood in a rig. Especially around lower window frames where water accumulates. Rotting wood is the reason why we prefer aluminum super structures..

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  13. Between leaks and condensation, it's amazing RVs can last as long as they do. Hope the repairs go smoothly.

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  14. Good luck with the repairs, they will get done, one step at a time.

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  15. Just consider how lucky you are to have a place to park it while you are working on it.

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  16. Oh my... it is a good thing you have your daughter to fall back on! We've had to do a few repairs on our 5th wheel that are similar - there was a lot of work to do, but it sounds like it is well in hand! I look forward to seeing the completed job :-)

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  17. Wow, that's a big one! Aren't we both lucky to be married to handy guys!! Let's hope the damage isn't too much!

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  18. There's just nothing worse than water where you don't want it! Been there - done that. Good luck with all that by the way.

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  19. Oh my gosh. What a mess those men have to deal with. Glad they know what they are doing. I wouldn't know where to begin!

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  20. I suppose that is a patience type of fix, lots of tiresome hours. It's very wonderful your husband will have some help with it. I hope it all works out and that it looks terrific in the end!

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