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Topic: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!? (Read 726 times) previous topic - next topic
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Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
    Thought this was strange!   I sleep on the passenger side sofa/bed.  Doing laundry on Tuesday, after stripping the bed I lifted up the bottom cushion to vacuum and I see the plywood underneath is water stained & damp to the touch.  Bottom of the cushion was completely dry, as was everything in the outside compartment directly underneath.  No obvious water intrusion from the side or rear walls.  Just this damp stain in the middle of the wood.   Thinking it has to be condensation since I can't find any source of water intrusion??
   After pointing space heater at it enough to become dry to touch, it lightened up & I remade the bed.
Will keep an eye on that area going forward, but wondering if anyone else has had this issue and what, if anything, can be done.
     I haven't checked the other sofa yet--it's on my to-do list. 
thanks!
 Daryl
 
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #1 –
Interesting. The only other possibility I can think of is water intrusion from the large exterior compartment below. You may want to check inside that compartment. The only other water source close by is the water heater,  which is just forward of the passenger side bed, but I don’t think that would be a cause. I did place a moisture detector in the area underneath the water heater, which is accessible by removing a drawer below the wardrobe.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #2 –
"Will keep an eye on that area going forward,..."

 :D  Kinda reminds me of the 'Shroud of Turin' !

Could this be caused by body moisture?   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #3 –
Hi Daryl;  Very interesting phenomenon. I don't usually dislodge the large cushion from the plywood sheet. (maybe I shouldn't!).  My theory..(fwiw)  The insulated doors of the compartments aren't that good. The contents can be very cold relative to the interior of the motorhome.  Where the back rest cushion goes, the wood is clear. Underneath the pulled out part of plywood, the center aisle area, the wood is clear (warm underneath). With a cushion from my old motorhome, the bottom had a sheet of vinyl, perhaps for the purpose of preventing moisture built up inside the cushion from 'leaking' through to the bare wood. While you sit there, a human transpires moisture everywhere, mostly exhaling warm air, which finds it's way to the inside of my windows (single pane in a 1999). I wonder if moisture (vapor) from during the day and at night, and inside the cushion, could condense on the colder wood underneath?  Do you sleep with your head near the back window?
    Now I'll have to go look at my LD!   A layer of clear sealer on the wood might stop this from being visible.  RonB

  edit: What Steve said....
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #4 –
Daryl, is there space between the studs underneath to install sheet foam insulation? I did that in the large forward compartment of our FL where the plywood contacts the couch cushion above, to get a better thermal barrier than just the couch cushion. This should clear the problem if condensation onto cold wood is the issue. Oregon is known to have a bit of humidity...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"Will keep an eye on that area going forward,..."

 :D  Kinda reminds me of the 'Shroud of Turin' !

Could this be caused by body moisture?   ::)
That's funny!!   I'll check again in the outdoor compartment underneath for a mummified body, ha!  ;-)
daryl
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #6 –
thanks, everyone for your replies!!  
      Yes, Steve, Oregon certainly has a "bit" of humidity, ha! :-)    That makes sense, condensation from contact with the cold compartment directly underneath so I'll try adding the insulation you suggested.     I can't imagine water vapor from my body going through both the sofa cushion and a 4" topper to get to the wood ;-)       (maybe blame the dog?!)
     Daryl  (currently in the atmospheric river/high wind warning in Florence, OR!)
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #7 –
The window could be leaking into the wall, flowing downward into the seating area., it's not an uncommon problem,
Check the caulking around the perimeter of the window. for cracking. Check the exterior compartment below the seat for water intrusion.
Condensation may be the cause, but it's not something I have seen before.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #8 –
Did you do something to offend Jeager?   ;)
Joel & Terry Wiley
2013  31 IB   ORWAN   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #9 –
thanks Larry!   I'll double check those areas, the compartment underneath & the windows.  What's more likely, the side window above the seat back or the rear window?   I did caulk the rear window seal in 2022, but I'll check it (when it stops raining! :-)
 daryl
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge
Re: Mystery Water under Sofa Cushion!?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: joel wiley  - 
Did you do something to offend Jeager?   ;)

Ha!   :o
Daryl 
2020 Subaru Outback & tent ⛺️
          Previously:  2007  26.5’ mid-bath, “Blu Tent“ & 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport S         
                               2006  23.5’ front lounge