Youll need access to the exterior roof, andit can be a stretch if the rooflight is in the centre (as ours was)! If your RV's skylight is cracked or broken, or just old and cloudy, we'll show you how easy it is to replace it with a brand new one. What is the best way to reseal a skylight? The interior of a skylight usually is not the dirtiest part of the skylight, so it should get cleaned relatively quickly. In the short-term I have siliconed down a sheet of perspex covered over with polythene taped down with weights in the corner. Thanks to V&G Caravans in Whittlesey (tel 01733 350 580) [tl:gallery size=460] 1 If there is any resistance, make sure that all of the seal has been broken, or ask an assistant to check that the clips inside thevan havent turned around. Ratherthan over-stretching, I released one side then worked on the other from the opposite side. Therefore I would encourage you to watch the video below and then find the specific manual for your roof light as discussed above and follow those steps for removal and cleaning. The most important thing is that it's watertight. By So, if you want to know how to replace a caravan skylight when it breaks or gets dirty, you have landed just the right place. AdviceGeneral Advice. Started February 4, Copyright VerticalScope Inc. All Rights Reserved. Located in the Staffordshire Moorlands Horton Common benefits from expansive views over the Peak District National Park. As mentioned earlier, be very careful while removing the old mastic as it is attached to the roof. Copyright VerticalScope Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hi my HOBBY Prestige 650 has developed a leak in the skylight above the static bed. Install the skylight. Some very heavy rain in the last few days, priority now immediate. What or how are your covers held on? Constant high levels of humidity cause a lot of damage to the components inside. Clean the area using a clean rag and white spirit. Do the 2 plain side panels on the interior surround just pull off? Simply clean them and store them where you keep spare parts of the caravan. The next thing you have to do is secure the skylight panel from the inside. And this is also how you seal it, and also glue it so that it's not possible to remove it ever again without a saw So, don't do it like I do, do it like I say and don't use glue sealant, instead use only sealant without the glue. The problem is the bit in the middle on some roof lights. Condition: Used US $75 CARAVAN 08-10 This switch has been tested before removal TOWN & COUNTRY 08-10. While up there I noticed a corner missing from the lid on the light over the en-suite but this roof is not leaking. I was able to remove some of the mastic by hand, too. Once placed, you can now dig holes to put the screws. 3. We hope our experience can help others go DIY, saving time \u0026 money, plus the satisfaction of a job well done.We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. Thanks I wont be using oven cleaner on my delicate white screens. Now, I do quite a bit of DIY and I use Torx head screws for certain projects. While the double skin is better for ventilation it means that you wont get a cold shower from dripping condensationfirst thing in the morning the skins arent sealed, and the area between the layers can become very dirty. Update my browser now, Home The procedure starts from the inside of the caravan. Press reply if you need to follow up. Our ABN is 42 109 003 625. This window required a Torx bit. So below Ill focus on a roof light I know is fitted to quite a few caravans and motorhomes which people struggle to clean, the MPK Vision Vent M Pro. The next step is applying the new mastic seal. Even with a rag attached at the end, the sharp tip of a pole could damage your skylight if you push into it forcefully. .. By Step 3: Determine How Deep Is Skylight You Want. I didn't know that, but treaded very carefully spreading my weight as much as possible. Clean a skylight with soapy water or vinegar only, like ammonia, alcohol, or petroleum-based cleaning solutions will irreversibly damage the materials used in just about every skylight. Under the 2 outer surrounds were 4 screws. This is where you want to avoid making a big mistake. Going to have to brace ladders over roof to try & spread load. They are available in 3 opening styles; crank, push bar and electric. You can get the job done by simply unscrewing some screws and removing the inner trim. After removing the previous dirty or broken skylight, remove the old mastic properly. My parents caravan is a classic example. Mark the location of the hole. Air sealing of the ceiling where the skylight. I will photograph / video & upload if successful. Therefore, I wanted to write this post to emphasis that roof lights can be removed, separated and cleaned. This is easy to do if you have access to the attic. The term 'you' refers to the user or viewer of our website. The reason being the video itself really provides the information you need. All rights reserved. I am 17 stone in weight and walk with no problem on the roof of our 650WFU Hobby i have also done the same on all five hobbies i have owned over the years. I've tried removingsome of the plastic covers from inside but they don't want to move. This article has been viewed 40,790 times. Lastly, cover the sides of the skylight with an adhesive. Silicone sealant will stop anything sticking to it. Common sense isn't a gift, it's a punishment because you have to deal with everyone who doesn't have it. It is recommended that you dampen a cloth with mineral spirits and not let the substance soak through the roofing membrane. One of our guests has brought up in the past their frustration with the poor condition of their roof light and how dirty it was but they were unable to clean it. been out to the van this afternoon to give it a good wash and brush up prior to packing and thought the roof vent flyscreen near the cooker could do with a good clean (seems a bit greasy) it wont clean in situ properly and I can't see any way of removing it save taking Cantilever stlye window opened with ratchet type winder, similar to car window winder. With the rooflight out ofthe way, remove all of the old mastic. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If you are worried about falling from the roof or damaging your skylight, consult a professional cleaning service who can do the job for you. Hence, if you visit Amazon/Caravan Guard through one of our links and decide to purchase a product we receive a small commission with no additional cost to you. Also be sure to have some extra self-drilling screws on hand just in case, since there may be more screw holes in the new skylight than in the old one.After using your putty knife to scrape away enough sealant to expose the screw heads, remove them all with your screw gun (you could do this by hand, but there are an awful lots of screws to remove and re-install). #RVSKYLIGHTREPLACEMENT #RVDIY #RVREPAIR #RVLIFE #RVLIVING #FULLTIMERV #RVMAINTENANCE #RVMODS #RVUPGRADES #RVTRAVEL #DIYRV #RVGEEKS While the fly screen generally does a good job of stopping flys and insects getting into the caravan or motorhome, they often get stuck in the screen. But check to make sure its no water getting in elsewhere and travelling down to the roof light. Generally, the inner trim is compromised on two parts; the flyscreen and the blind. Check that, if thetrim contains both the blind and flyscreen, they are at90 degrees to the handles used to lift the rooflight; otherwise youll have difficulty accessing those handles. It is generally electrically driven. Usually, there are four screws, one on each corner of the trim. I recently wrote a post on how to clean a caravan roof. Years ago they were often made from transparent orange plastic, which gave a really nice light inside the caravan; but for a numberof years now theyve been made from a white translucent plastic, and are usually double-skinned. Mastic Sealing Strip. Add a few drops at a time and mix the solution until the surface of the water begins to foam. You can also use a power washer to get rid of these things, but be careful when bringing power tools to the roof and consider spraying it from the ground if your power washer can reach it. Cut out the hole. After removing the mastic seal, apply white spirit using a cloth on the surface. Why do caravans leak? There are many videos for pop up windowsbut none detail the HOBBY. Furthermore, within each of those model categories, there are several models of various sizes. 400, to replace it was in excess of 800 ! However, at the time of writing that post, there was something I wanted to discuss but forgot to. Drill a pilot hole and screw 3. Structurally roof can not be walked on? Manage Settings This will remove any remaining mastic seal from the surface and provide you a clean finish. 22.23 (inc VAT) 29.99. Therefore, you want to get your vacuum cleaner and carefully suck out those flys and insects. We stock top-rate vents and skylights from the most trusted caravan appliance brands including Dometic, Camec, Fiamma, Maxx Air and Thetford. Everyone was right you can walk on the roof of a HOBBY. Domestic produce a huge range of items found in caravans and motorhomes. The next two stages are probably the hardest. Make sure that all traces of the old sealant, dirt etc are removed by using a plastic scraper, a fridge scraper or windscreen scraper would be ideal. I've previously written about the best teardrops and the best small caravans, essentially caravan's with a weight under 1,000 kg. Concern is now how to scaffold around van so I can get access to top of roof. By using our site, you agree to our. We drove away from our \"stick house\" for the last time on April 11, 2003 and never looked back. That looks like a smaller version of the one over our kitchen unit. Can't see anyscrews& dont want to break anything. Learn more. If an inner trim comes with the new skylight panel, congratulations; otherwise, simply clean the previous one and place it back. I know the chasis is metal but thought caravan structure would have been wood overlayed with aluminium strip. The skylight is then secured to the roof panel by four aluminium brackets. Hence, by trying to improve the appearance of the roof light by cleaning it you may end up making it look worse. Also, do not forget to wear your protective equipment such as safety glasses and gloves. That way, you wont leave mineral deposits behind on your skylights. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Vent your skylight occasionally if it can open to prevent any condensation build. You will need to watch my video on how to remove the door panel and window fi. Over time, you will ask yourself, How to Replace an RV Skylight?. Never use ammonia, alcohol, or petroleum-based household cleaning products, such as Windex, on skylights, as they are usually made from materials like plexiglass, acrylic, or polycarbonates that react badly with cleaning products. 3 Easy Steps to Measure RV Skylight. From inside the caravan you can clean the interior surface of the roof light. The exterior of the skylight is generally much dirtier than the interior, so be prepared to spend a few minutes scrubbing, and using a little more elbow grease. Start with the caravan's (or motorhome's) roof; it's the first place a van will likely pop its sealant. Ref. Continue peeling the tint away from the window until it is completely removed. If you are interested in learning more you may be interested in my overall post how to clean a caravan. In the rest of this article, we will follow these steps and learn how to install a skylight in your RV. Skylight is one of the great features an RV can offer. Gain access to your skylight's roof flashing. Hobby breakers and dismantlers, I don't think there are any just specific to the Hobby marque, you jut have to keep looking through the general caravan breakers who appear to get the odd one in now and then and yes Hobby part prices can be frightening and take a while to get delivered. The Midi Heki is a rectangular skylight with double glazed dome and internal frame with integrated insect screen and block-out blind. Follow the same steps in reverse and fix back those screws and clips. .Mondeo Estate & Elddis Avant 505 (Tobago). This is what causes the blind to jam, as it works its way out over time. Mastic seal is bound to the base of the roof, so be very careful; otherwise, you will end up damaging the roof. If you don't have a "jet" setting on your hose nozzle, block 3/4 of the end of the hose with your thumb to build pressure in the hose and shoot out a jet of water. Thanks Gordon, will check again today. Hence, boiling water is a big no-no. To do this, use a metal scraper. You can also use a long broom or a dry mop for this if you don't want to get your rag dirty before using it to wash the skylight. Please also be aware, hortoncommon.co.uk is a participant in affiliate programs for Webgains Ltd, Awin Ltd and the Amazon EU Associates Programme. Fully open the skylight. With little assistance and some guidance, anyone can easily do it. Best Caravans With Rear Washrooms - For All Budgets. If they are lights I've just checked them on our 'van and if you remove the covers you should see screws holding it to the roof. The national average cost of skylight repair ranges between $350 and $800. Its not only unsightly, but it significantly alters the amount of light in the van, too. Clean your skylight twice each year to prevent it from getting cloudy and maintain its light. Step 2: Lift all lap joins and apply an MS sealer between them (not over them). It is so thick that if you overlap it the skylight may not tighten down properly. DISCLAIMER: The content of the blog on this website is for entertainment and general information purposes only, and should not be followed as professional advice. The reason to shift from transparent orange plastic to double skinned white translucent plastic was to enhance plastic. Refit the skylight and remove excess sealant with . It is where the rays of the sun pass through to your RV. Any task you perform or product you purchase based on any information we provide is strictly at your own risk.We sometimes receive products for evaluation at no cost, and The RVgeeks participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Have to look for one of those too. 3) Unscrew top and bottom screws from both Winder Control Boxes. because theyre very light. The windows is made up as follows -. Seal the seam of the skylight completely. Home The light was heavily siliconed into place. If you put a ladder up you'll notice there are no dips and hollows in the aluminium like most caravans, then if you push down with your hand there is no movement, whatever the roof construction is it certainly feels as sturdy as the floor. As noted in the video above, you will likely need a range of sizes. Flyscreen and blind, if not broken, can be useful for you in the future.