water proofing

[the hunter]

so i got my frist teardrop, its a home built and one of the things i want to is make sure there are no leak hows the best way to find out if its water proof? by the way it has been painted with exteror house paint
thanks for your help

[Fyddler]

Bring out the hose!

Seriously, I would do a physical inspection first off and look for any past clues of leaks, or obvious areas of concern, old caulking, cracks in seams...

I would then bring out the hose when you know the weather is going to be nice for a while and hose it down, not high pressure spray, just a light spray all over. Check for areas where the water may flow into cracks or openings such as your door and galley hatch, windows and such.

[Fiferguy]

Bring out the hose!

Seriously, I would do a physical inspection first off and look for any past clues of leaks, or obvious areas of concern, old caulking, cracks in seams...

I would then bring out the hose when you know the weather is going to be nice for a while and hose it down, not high pressure spray, just a light spray all over. Check for areas where the water may flow into cracks or openings such as your door and galley hatch, windows and such.

+1 to this idea, but I would also use a high pressure stream, maybe even from a car wash, to test it's water tightness at highway speeds. 65mph+ coming from the front of the trailer rather than the top changes the way it has to seal, particularly doors, windows, and hatches.

Just my $0.02.

[Bogo]

When your checking out seams, etc for cracks, press on the surfaces with your hands. That is to simulate wind pressure at speed on the highway.