Roof Coated

It's a perfect day to get up and get the roof coated.   The directions said don't do until the weather didn't go below 60 degrees F.  Well here in the MidWest you never know but predictions are saying mid 60s at night, so here goes.

I first purchase a really expensive roof sealer that was $60 a gallon.   I then talk to my cousins husband Dale and he told me to go to Menards and get this roof coating.   It works great and is only about $60 for 5 gallons.   Well I took back the expensive $60 a gallon sealer and went to Menards and purchase 3 one gallon containers.  $19 per gallon.  I know it would have been cheaper to buy the 5 gallon but that's just too heavy for me to handle.   Gallons are manageable.

Here's what I bought. White Elastomeric Roof Coating.

I had caulked the edge of my roof but the actual room was aluminum and never been sealed.

This picture is actually before I replaced the roof vents.   

I forgot to take a picture this morning before I started.

I used a  brush around the edges and around all the vents.  Then got busy with the roller.  Took me less than an hour to complete and I used about 1 1/2 gallons.  I have a 28' trailer so that's pretty good coverage.  I plan on letting it dry a week or so and then giving it another coat.

Now it's time to start having some fun and working on the inside.   

I know this part isn't really any fun but it's important to get the exterior in good shape so that your precious crafty tool and supplies aren't ruined on the inside. 

Cutting Table

I needed a nice flat surface to cut my fabric orders.   My primary craft is my etsty store where I sell fabric and quilting notions.   I'm still in the process of building up my inventory in the store but check it out.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreasuresThree

If you wonder where the name Treasures Three comes from here it is.  Three is a very special number to me.  

First:  There is the Trinity, The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit

Second:  I have been blessed with three beautiful children.

Third:  I have been blessed with three beautiful grandsons

Fourth:  I have been blessed with three beautiful granddaughters.

Life just doesn't get any better than this and those are my Treasures.

Ok, now back to what I accomplished today.  First of all, it's almost 90 degrees here today so I turned on the air conditioner.   I was a little nervous and it wasn't throwing out cold air....hmmmm.   Well, I had it turned on fan only.  Once I turned it to air conditioner it worked perfectly and the camper started cooling down....I call that a big win.

So I had purchased several years ago a table top.  No legs just the top.  I used this in my old house as a cutting table but I also had a gigantic sewing room.  I tried it in the camper but it took up way too much room.   The more I thought about it I decided to try something.   The kitchen area was complete useless to me.  I have no intention of using water or cooking in the camper so I decided to cover it up.  I didn't want to take off the faucet, just in case this doesn't work out and I decide to sell the camper.  

So here is the before..........

.....and here's the after.

It's Perfect!

I can even look out the window when I'm working.

Cleaning up the Exterior

I'm so anxious to work on the inside but want to make sure the outside looks good and I'm taking advantage of the weather.  It's hot, but at least it's not raining like it has been.   

I have a small dog and need to make sure their is fencing around the camper so she can't get out.   

Here's the before.

I used the old gates to block the front where the tongue is and the higher fence is from the dog pen.

So I removed the taller fence and took down the gates.   

I think it looks so much better and I can actually access the electrical now which was previously behind the tall fence.  

New Steps

The standard steps that come with a camper just aren't the easiest to go in and out of.......especially when you are 60+ years old.    Also, if anyone wants to stop by I want to make sure it's easy for them to get into the camper, including a hand rail.

I love Amazon Prime.  Ordered on Monday and had by Wednesday.

Here's my new steps.

Making sure things stay Dry

There were a few things that I knew I needed to do with the camper.  The roof vents were cracked and had plastic bags over them.   I ordered 3 new vents and then journeyed to the roof and guess what!    I fixed them myself.   Put new vent covers on and they were so easy to install.

These are the vent covers prior to me replacing them.   

Now they are all pretty and water tight.  

I was also told that I needed to caulk the edge of the roof and then I should put a sealer on.  I've gotten the edges caulked and so far we've had some pretty severe storms and no water!   

I plan on sealing the roof but the instructions say that it shouldn't get below 60 degrees for 24 hours.   I think I need to wait just a little longer.  Within a few weeks I should be able to seal the roof.

Considering a Camper for your Craft Space?

I wanted to give you a heads up on purchasing a camper for use as a craft room.  I think it's a good idea and I just want you to keep these things in mind.   I've never owned a camper and wasn't sure what to check.   I figured it's cheaper than purchasing a building, having it insulated, adding electrical and then a/c and heat.  You are right, it is cheaper but there can be a bit of frustration.   I think I've worked through all the issues and nothing has been major.  Here's just a list to consider.

Check the roof, even if they tell you the roof doesn't leak.  Leaks can sometimes be challenging to figure out exactly where the water is coming from.  I had a minor leak and it was coming in around the roof vent.  I figured it was a leak around the vent.  It was actually that the caulk on the edge of the camper was cracked.  It would come in there and then go to the lowest point to exit the roof which happened to be around the roof vents.   Now that I have caulked there seems to be no more water issues. I do plan on sealing the roof with a rubber coating once the temperature stays high enough and it quits raining.

The A/C unit.  Make sure it cools.   I tried mine and was only getting it to blow air, but not cold.  Well silly me, I had it on fan only.  The a/c works great. 

Lights!  I had to buy a new battery and made sure that with a battery the lights came on.  Well when I went out today the lights in the camper were very dim.  Appears that my inverter is bad.  That takes the electricity that I have plugged in and charges the battery.   I need to decide if it's worth spending the money on a new inverter or just getting a trickle charger to keep the battery charged.  My a/c works fine because that works off the plug in.  It's only the lights.   I'll do a little research and find out exactly how much the inverter will cost and then make my decision.

The camper was a great price and I do feel is cheaper than purchasing a building but plan on spending an additional $500 in extra expenses to get everything the way you need it.