As your home away from home and a valued space for family and friends, caravans offer a unique way to enjoy time with loved ones in any location you choose. A well-maintained caravan is often an investment, and when it comes to caring for your caravan, preventative measures and long-term maintenance will save you money, time and effort down the line.
In all aspects of home and vehicle maintenance, prevention is much cheaper and more efficient than dealing with large-scale issues or expensive repairs once they arise. Even the best high-end caravans will benefit from an hour here and there on maintenance and assessing areas for any issues, and attending to your caravans maintenance needs yourself is often simple and cost-effective.
One of the biggest, yet often overlooked, maintenance issues is the possibility of damaged or leaking caravan window seals. As a small, mobile space, the integrity of a caravan’s interior relies upon fully-functioning seals to avoid the dreaded eventuality of leaks or even of being flooded. Whilst a leak in any living space is an unwanted and costly issue, a flood in a caravan comes with the added concerns of how to keep warm and dry whilst in a remote area and with no other forms of shelter, and the impact of a leak can often be costly and time-consuming. Even if a leak is manageable and no immediate damage is done, leaking window seals can often cause damp and mould which incurs further costs and damages the integrity of the structure and walls.
Checking window seals
For many caravan and motorhome owners, the winter months often don’t present many opportunities to use the leisure vehicle, and many caravans are left parked up for months at a time. Windows and doors that remain closed for long periods of time can stick to the seal, particularly in colder weather, and so it is well worth taking the time to properly maintain the window seals to avoid damages and prevent leaks.
First, gently check whether you are able to open all the windows. If you find a window that won’t open, this means the window is stuck against the rubber seal. It is important to be gentle with the window and not to force it open, as this will likely tear the seal and greatly increase the risk of leaks.
The best way to proceed with a stuck window is to apply silicone lubricant to the area that is stuck to the seal and leave it to soak for a while. If this does not free the window, then add another layer of silicone lubricant and leave it to soak for a longer period of time or potentially overnight.
Cleaning the window seals
Once the window is open, it is time to check for damage and proceed with the essential maintenance steps. If a tear is found in the window seal during this stage, then it needs to be replaced to prevent leaks and ensure the interior of the caravan is not compromised.
After the seal has been checked, the window should be opened fully and the rubber seals should be carefully and gently cleaned. For this step, only clean water and a cloth should be used, and all detergents, soap and washing up liquid should be avoided to prevent the chemicals from reacting with the rubber seals and damaging them.
If a seal has been damaged from previous cleaning or chemical reactions, then the rubber will be sticky and more likely to stick and prevent the window from opening. A dusting of talcum powder may allow you to clean the seal in the short term, but more often than not the seal will need to be replaced at this stage.
If you have more than one window that requires seal maintenance, then these steps can be completed in order for one window before moving onto the next, or each step can be completed for every window before moving onto the next one.
Once the seals have been cleaned using only water and no detergents, allow the seals to dry before moving onto the next maintenance stage. If required, this cleaning process can also be used on other openings, such as doors and lockers, to ensure the caravan is fully protected from leaks.
Essential window seal maintenance
Once the window seals are clean and dry, the seals can then be lubricated to ensure the window seals shut and prevent leaks.
When completing this step, it is advisable to spray the silicone lubricant directly onto a clean cloth which can then be used to apply the lubricant, rather than directly onto the window seals, as this will allow you to ensure the spray is applied evenly and prevents the spray from getting on the walls, furnishings, or glass window panes.
Once the lubricant has dried, the seal will have a distinct shine and will be ready for the coming season of touring, adventures and holidays. The remaining external openings that contain a seal, such as doors and hatches, will also benefit from this maintenance process.
Ready to show your caravan the love and care it deserves?
Caravan Crazy has over 40 years of experience in the UK caravan and motorhome industry, and offers a complete range of caravan supplies and accessories to fit all requirements, including caravan window seals and replacement windows. Follow the link to their website or search online for the replacement window seals you need to ensure you can continue to enjoy your leisure vehicle.