Garage fire roof damage

[Danielson]

Hello, all.  I tried searching the forum and found info on roof repair but not on this specific situation.  I may have an opportunity to pick up a camper that looks like it has been through a garage fire.  Everything on the roof of the camper is toasted (AC, vent fan, antenna, skylights, etc).  Including the roof membrane (see pic).  Normally this would be an easy pass for me but if I can restore this thing on the cheap, I could get a nice camper out of it.  Besides the bathroom, the inside only has smoke damage which I think I can eventually clean up and de-odor.  I know I need to replace all the AC/fan/etc but I am not sure what can be done about the roof membrane.  It basically looks as though the plastic melted and bubbled up badly.  So the question is, do I need to sink ~$4-8k to have professionally replaced?  Can I replace myself?  Do I need to remove existing membrane first or can I use a bunch of the liquid roof  coating?  I do not need it to look good, just work (no leaks).  I will not be traveling with this as it will be sitting at a lake lot.  I guess I could always buy a carport to put over it as well.  I know it is not ideal, but even if this fails, if I am only out a few grand it may have been worth the shot.  Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[kdbgoat]

I understand taking on a project as a labor of love, but I wouldn't touch that trailer with a 10' pole. You would be better off finding a decent trailer.

 

[Rene T]

I agree with goat. It looks like it got pretty hot. I would not trust any wiring which runs through the roof/ceiling. Chances are some of it is also melted. What does the bathroom look like?

 

[Danielson]

Thanks for the replies.  The bathroom is really not bad but since the heat melted through the exhaust fan and the skylight in the bathroom it was open to the heat.  there are some signs of some deformed/melted plastic such as the upper part of the shower walls and the track the shower curtain runs on.  Nothing that scares me too bad.  If I need to I can replace the shower and whatever in there as well.  I would be more worried about things such as the wiring as you mentioned.  Again, not an ideal situation, but if it could be restored for a couple grand and some hard work it would be worth it to me.  Not going to be in a financial situation to get anything this new for quite some time.  But I also need to be smart and not just jump into an obvious money pit.

 

[Gizmo100]

I don't think you can make it right for a couple of grand. I know it looks like a neat project but your talking a lot of money and time. You not only have fire damage you will likely have water damage as well.

 

[Ernie n Tara]

I don't think you can save this for anywhere near the price of a few year old used trailer. It would have to be a labor of love. And a lot of it!

Ernie

 

[Danielson]

OK, sounds like it is not very feasible to replace the top on a budget.  One last thought, assuming the wiring running along the top is not shot, what about just replacing the components on the roof (ac, etc) and leaving the roof as is.  I can put a 20' x 38' metal carport over it for $2500-$3k.  Would still need to clean the hell out of it.  Any thoughts as to why this is not a good idea?


Thanks for all your replies so far

 

[Gizmo100]

I would have to stand by my first answer..I think when you start adding up the cost to replace and repair the roof items it going to add up fast. The wire for the AC Will be damaged IMO. Plus the plumbing vents, Reefer vent, Replacing the TV ANT and of course the  AC unit itself. And you still have to address the internal issues.

Now all that said you have not told us what the make /model/ and year of the RV. The value of the RV undamaged would have an impact on if the project is worth repairing.

 

[Danielson]

how could I forget that...2017 Jayco jay flight 32BHDS.  I would try to get it for $1-2k. thinking $1-2k in AC/vents/etc and $2.5-3k in Carport I could possibly be in it around $5-6k...

 

[Chakara]

My gut says you are looking at a DIY $2-3k if we have no surprises.  Your right in that nothing in an RV is that expensive but as you add up all the parts and pieces....things like the impact of the heat on the siding and it's bonding (delamination) or as mentioned before wiring or plumbing issues. 

In the end, you've seen it and know what you are willing to take on....

-Kyle

 

[jackiemac]

What does the inside look like?

 

[RedandSilver]

My question is how did the roof catch fire and not the rest of it?
Did did they use water to put out the fire?
If so, I think there would be water damage that hasn't reared it's head yet.  Mold is sure to be on it's way.
How do you know if the windows don't leak?  The awning is trash too, right?

As far as the smell, IMO would take many years to air out if ever.
When some plastics burn they give off chemicals that are not good for your health.
Are you prepared to wear Pro respirators when doing all the work.
What if you power it up and there are broken wires you can't see and it starts another fire?

IMO I would save the $6-7K to somewhat fix it up and buy a car port - which could blow away in strong winds,
and buy a few year older unit and be able to start using it right away vs. a year or 2 to fix something that will never be
as good as a used well kept unit.

But it's your decision and your the one that will have to live with whatever you decide. 
IMO some things are just not worth it - but again that's your call.

Good luck.

 

[Rene T]

My question is how did the roof catch fire and not the rest of it?
Did did they use water to put out the fire?

I was thinking that the RV was in some sort of enclosure like a garage or similar and that caught on fire and the heat just melted everything.

 

[Danielson]

I went back to look at it today.  Everything on  the roof needs to be replaced.  The awning is shot.  I saw one or two window seals that were warped a bit on the top but the seal does not seem broken.  Basically everything but the from the top 6" down is in fine shape (minus smoke). The inside is untouched by fire but has heavy soot/smoke damage.  What looks like happened is the camper was in a shop or garage that caught fire, fire stayed high but was hot enough to effect melt the top of the trailer the one spot that got hot enough to melt through was the bathroom vent.  That created an  opening for the smoke to fill the camper.  I looked at the hottest spot (at the melted fan exhaust) and it looks like the wires are actually in pretty good shape there so I would suspect that the rest of the wires that are under the insulation and a bit more protected from the heat should be good (no guarantees).  Even the wood framing around where the exhaust fan was is in good shape so fire never actually touched anything, just high heat.  I even think that while the top of the AC unit is trash, the lower part (inside section of AC) is actually in pretty decent shape. There looks to be no water damage except where the vent melted through.  I do not think they needed to spray inside the camper as it was never on fire.

I am still skeptical that this is something I would take on, but if I do, I would plan on putting it under a carport vs trying to re-roof the whole thing.  Might throw a layer of DIY liquid roof on it just for good measure.  I would replace all roof components.  The real unknown for me is remediating  the smoke/soot damage.  I even tried calling a few pro to get an estimate and they won't even give me a ballpark figure without seeing it first (understandably).  my main worry is getting it out of the HVAC ducts and wondering if it is in the insulation.  I can always replace the mattresses and bedding if needed. 

Still on the fence...

 

[jackiemac]

I guess you need to consider how much you might lose if it does not work out and if you can afford it.

Also make sure you can erect the Car Port where you plan to, I have seen a few posts recently that make it appear that some places will not let you put things up where you might like.

How bad is the smoke inside.  Are you able to take something along and give it a wipe to see how bad it actually is.

Can you put up with the smell?

Can you test the wiring with a meter or some other contraption?

Just a few thoughts which may or may not be useful....

 

[Isaac-1]

Another things, was their an insurance claim against it, lack of a clean title would also effect resale value.