What you need to know about RV delamination (2024)

What you need to know about RV delamination (1)

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When it comes to the interior of an RV, it’s all about comfort and convenience. We’ve discussed ways to renovate the interior of your RV, whether it’s interior decorating or making upgrades to existing fixtures, gadgets, and furnishings. We’ve talked about ways to keep the RV clean on the inside so that the environment stays fresh and doesn’t invite critters.

When it comes to the exterior of an RV, it’s about durability and insulation – not to mention, overall appearance. It’s important to care for the exterior of the RV – washing it regularly, avoiding trees that are full of sap, maintaining the chassis underneath.

But wait, there’s a distortion in the side of the RV… almost like a bubble appeared overnight. A small crack appears somewhere else. You touch the spot and the area feels spongy. You knock a plastic utensil against it and the sound is hollow. Your once-beautiful RV has something going on. In fact, it probably had something going on for a while, it just wasn’t obvious yet.

Unfortunately, it sounds like delamination.

What is delamination?

Delamination is when the material you see on the outside – fiberglass in most modern RVs – separates from the backing material. This backing material is typically a combination of lightweight plywood and Styrofoam. Delamination occurs when exterior seals fail, whether from over time or from being subjected to extreme weather on a consistent basis. The material separates and can warp. Water can encourage the problem along, plus affect the backing material and cause rot or mold. Delamination can also occur if the plywood and Styrofoam material underneath the fiberglass is impacted and dented, perhaps there was a branch that hit the wall and punctured the fiberglass. This causes an air pocket that causes the bonding agent to separate, which will grow over time and trap moisture between the layers, causing even more damage.

How do I know when it’s time to intervene?

At the first sign of delamination, you need to take care of it. It’s not a problem to let go by the wayside as the longer you wait, the more expensive the fix. The integrity and value of your RV depends on a well-cared for and functioning exterior. Substantial damage could require a total wall replacement, or even a total loss of the RV.

Can I fix the problem myself?

There are some things you can do to help stop the delamination from progressing: First, find and seal the leak. Moisture will continue to find its way in if you don’t. Clean all of your seals before resealing so that the material can bond appropriately. You also need to take a look around the inside of the RV – under flooring near the source of the leak and on the wall. There could be mold or damage there, too, that requires your attention. There are do-it-yourself kits on the market for smaller fiberglass issues, but it’s a substantial process to get it right, and experience and the right tools are essential. These kits won’t work if there is water damage to any of the inner layers. It may be best to contact a professional and get it done right. However, if the problem has gone too far, then the repair may require stripping away the outside of the RV – and the cost of that type of repair may not be worth it.

Will insurance cover it?

Most insurance companies do not cover delamination as it’s often a result of owner negligence. You will be responsible to making repairs and won’t be able to make a claim if your RV is a total loss.

How can I avoid delamination from happing to my RV?

As with most things, prevention is the best way to stop delamination. Don’t even give it a chance to set in. Inspect your RV’s seals frequently while using your RV. In very hot or very wet conditions, you should be checking every few months. In Michigan where the weather is more moderate, inspect at the start and end of the camping season. But more than inspection, you need to fix any other issues you find on your RV’s exterior, such as cracks or broken seals when you spot them. The most important: periodically re-seal seams on the roof and sides with lap sealant.

Pay attention to the exterior of your RV with routine checks, fixing problems when you spot them, and not letting visible issues fester for too long. That way, you and your RV can enjoy many more seasons of camping together.

MARVAC2021-11-10T09:21:52-05:00

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FAQs

Delamination is due to a leak, period! Leaks are typically small but can cause big damage to the RV. If the leak has caused de lamination it may also have caused rotting on the roof and/or on the side where de lamination is occurring. A new roof, done by a reputable RV dealer, will set you back anywhere between 7-10K.

Fixing delamination on RV units is not just to improve an aesthetic flaw but to prevent severe structural damage. In extreme cases, the loosened layers could shake loose when the RV is on the road.

Removing and repairing the entire sidewall is the only way you'll restore your RV sidewall back to new condition. The best you can hope for is to achieve an acceptable looking result and stop any further damage.

RV insurance typically won't cover delamination because proper maintenance can prevent it. Often, when you notice the damage to your motorhome or travel trailer, it may be beyond repair. You can prevent delamination by consistently inspecting your RV and resealing the seams.

What Is RV Delamination Caused By? Delamination is one of the most noticeable symptoms of RV water damage. If your motorhome was flooded, you could expect and prepare for the appearance of bubbles or ripples on the RV's exterior. Another great enemy of your RV walls, besides water, changes in the weather.

There are some things you can do to help stop the delamination from progressing: First, find and seal the leak. Moisture will continue to find its way in if you don't. Clean all of your seals before resealing so that the material can bond appropriately.

Delamination is caused by matrix cracking, bending cracks, and shear cracks. Delamination can affect the compression strength of composite laminate, and it will slowly cause the composite to experience failure through buckling.

What does RV insurance not cover? RV insurance will not cover general wear and tear or damage from mold, delamination repairs, fungi, or rot.

Keep in mind that warranty companies will always look at the root cause of the failure to determine whether or not an item will be covered. Take a leak for example. A leak is the result of something else failing. If something like a water heater or water pump caused the leak, that would be covered.

Azdel composite panels are not damaged from freezing and thawing cycles, a common cause of delamination. Temperature and humidity changes are well tolerated.

A basic delamination can be addressed using a traditional method. That is employing a large hospital syringe to inject a resin-hardener blend into the delaminated bubble via a tiny opening and then pressing the fiberglass layer back onto the foam. You're essentially utilizing the resin as an adhesive.

The water accumulation in the interlayer is possible which may lead to the adhesion loss and delamination between the coating layers.

This separation occurs when the adhesion between layers fails or the polymers debond due to several factors. Shrinkage stresses due to improper curing and cooling can cause cracking that leads to delamination, or faults in the injection molding process or machinery can result in this defect.

How long an RV, motorhome, or travel trailer lasts depends on various factors. However, generally speaking, two decades is reasonable for a well-maintained vehicle. The average lifespan of a Class A or a Class B RV or motorhome is between 10 and 20 years.