resealing the front window

We started on the front window last night and got it out and much of the scraping/clean up done. We worked until past dark. It came out easier than I expected it to and I guess it just goes to show that the seals were really bad.

 before we started

 the window was really gooped up with silicone and other things, trying to get the leak stopped the last couple years.

 I really didn't expect the window to come out as easily as it did. We did scrape most of the gunk off before we even tried to pull it out.

got the window out and the awning off. Everything is scraped and cleaned. We were a little concerned about leaving it this way over night because of some theft in the area but we did it anyway and it was all okay. 

Many of the screws were so rusted there wasn't much left of them. 

we decided to just replace them all with new. 

The sheet metal had come off the framing in most places so we stapled it all back in place. I was surprised that there was only this little bit of water damage, that we could see. The wood has gone soft but is not peeling or falling apart. We really should replace it but it felt too daunting to me so we are ignoring it for now. 

 scraping and cleaning the window and awning

 I don't think the awning ever had any weatherizing on it and that is where the screws were rusted the worst.

finishing the last of the scraping and cleaning

 a little trick I learned somewhere (I think from Handyman Magazine) is when you have a hole that is too big or screws that are stripped out you shove a toothpick (or three) in the hole and the screw will fit in tight again. I put the toothpicks in the hole and break them off then hammer them in flat. It has been a handy trick with this project.

 putty tape put on and ready to reinstall

 All back together again and hopefully better than ever.

I sure hope the leak is taken care of now. I think there might be a leak in the middle framing of the window though and I sure don't know what to do about that. 

While we were working on the camper we went ahead and finished draining the water heater. We thought we had it drained last week but Dad called and said we should siphon the last of the water out so it doesn't freeze. We did just that and got quite a bit more water out. 

We worked on the bunk bed today too and I think we have got it fixed enough to use. All we have left with it is to put a board under the mattress. 

 Daddy grabbing Boo through the door

We threw the futon mattress up on the bunk and I think it will work out okay for a few years. She can't wait to use it next summer. 

It has been a very busy day, or two, but we got a lot done.