# Spotting RV Water Damage Before It Gets Expensive

> Water damage rarely shows up where it starts. Look for wavy sidewalls, soft floors, stained panels, and a musty smell. Caught early, it is a reseal and a small repair. Left alone, it becomes a subfloor rebuild that can run into five figures.

## Early warning signs

- Wavy or rippled sidewalls in raking light
- Soft or spongy spots on the floor or walls
- Stained or discolored ceiling and wall panels
- A persistent musty smell inside the rig

## Why early action pays off

Water that enters through a failed seal spreads through the structure quietly. A leak caught at the seal stage is a reseal and a minor repair. The same leak found two years later, after it has rotted the subfloor and delaminated the wall, is a major rebuild. The inspection is cheap, the delay is expensive.

## Frequently asked questions

### How can I tell if my RV has hidden water damage?

Look for wavy walls, soft floors, stained panels, and a musty smell. If you find any of those, get it inspected, because water spreads through the structure long before it becomes obvious. Early action is the difference between a reseal and a subfloor rebuild.


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Source: https://oc-rv.com/blog/spotting-rv-water-damage-early/
OCRV Center, 23281 La Palma Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Phone (949) 799-3387. In shop only; insurance billed direct.