Hello All--I have a 1998 Jayco 243RKS that has an EPDM rubber roof. The roof has a couple of repairs that appear to have been done well, as they were done with galvanized sheet metal and screwed down to roof about every 6" or so. repairs are about 2'X3' on two sections of roof; one near front and one in front of AC condenser. There are no signs of leaks inside anywhere. The previous owner took pretty good care of this RV. I believe there may have been an incident that tore through the rubber roof.I know about the use of butyl tape under skylights, vents, etc and self leveling sealant over all seams, edges, vent/skylights edges, over screws, etc.Am I correct with the above? Am I missing something?I wanted to know, as I have heard of some folks doing this, but is it recommended to cover the entire roof with a roll on, paint-like finish that seals and protects entire roof? It sounds logical, especially for older EPDM rubber roofs like mine. However, I do not want to do something to diminish or be harmful to the rubber roof material.Thanks!

Baja Man wrote:Hello All--I know about the use of butyl tape under skylights, vents, etc and self leveling sealant over all seams, edges, vent/skylights edges, over screws, etc.Am I correct with the above? Am I missing something?I think you have that down. What I have seen on older rigs (mine is a 2001) is that many owners simply pile more lap sealant over the existing without consideration of its integrity. Unfortunately, the old sealant often needs to be removed before adding new. As an example...the sealant on my skylight looked OK but in reality the under coats were loose and allowed for leakage. The picture shows how easily the sealant came off the roof.I wanted to know, as I have heard of some folks doing this, but is it recommended to cover the entire roof with a roll on, paint-like finish that seals and protects entire roof? It sounds logical, especially for older EPDM rubber roofs like mine. However, I do not want to do something to diminish or be harmful to the rubber roof material.Most people are not supportive of using these coatings preferring a complete new membrane installation. I plan on using one of these in a year or two. The product I am considering is Liquid Roof. There is another brand that gets good reviews and they will come to your rig to apply! Thanks!

interesting....I'd like to know why some are opposed to these coatings.

Keep an eye on those two repairs as using sheet metal to repair an EPDM roof is not a standard fix. The screws create more chances for leaks. Normally a rubber patch is glued over the damage and then the edges are sealed.

Baja Man wrote:interesting....I'd like to know why some are opposed to these coatings.I think many feel if it needs a coating it probably needs replacement and they could very well be right but not everyone can manage or justify that large expense especially on an older rig.Another option is Flex Armor

That liquid roof looks like it could be good stuff. Perhaps someone on this board has tried it and would like to comment on it.

EPDM Rubber Roof Maintenance and repairs | Good Sam Community

Golden_HVAC
Explorer
May 20, 2015
This is what I put on my roof.

http://www.epdmcoatings.com/videos_play.php?vid=25

As for the galvanized sheet metal, I would take it off before coating the roof with 5 gallons of the EPDM coating. I am not sure what to do once I take off the galvanized metal, I might put it back, or leave it off if the wood under it looks like it is in good shape. If damaged, I would leave the sheet metal in place, and the EPDM coating will go over the top. Just it would look like a 'bulge' under the coating, that might detract some buyers from the otherwise new looking roof.

I see no problems with the roof coating so far. And the roof will not 'shed' some of the white stuff all over the RV each time it rains, so no more white streaks down the side of the RV.

Make sure that you clean the roof well before starting the project. It might be a little difficult to clean once the sheet metal is off the roof, so think about that too. You might not want to touch the sheet metal repairs, and coat over everything. It would make it simple to do.

On my roof - a 1997 Bounder with EPDM roof, I waited to long to make the repairs. At one point, I had some small leaks, and used aluminum foil type duct tape with greater than average glue strength. Made to hole together high pressure air ducts, and practically impossible to remove duct tape. That was coated with some rubber roof sealant, and never was removed before coating with the EPDM coating in the link above. At this point, it would be really difficult to remove one of my Fantastic Fans, so I hope they never get damaged, but probably could be cut out of the roofing material. I did not coat under the A/C unit, as it was not leaking, and not sun damaged. My solar panel roof mounts are stuck there for life!

Good luck on your project!

Fred.
scbwr
Explorer II
May 20, 2015
If the sheet metal repairs are good...no signs of water leakage and the screws are nice and tight, I would apply some Eternabond around the edges, covering all screws. Then, I would use Eternabond to seal around vents and any seams if the rest of the roof is still doing the job. I'm not sure what I would do regarding applying a coating or replacing the rubber roof.
Baja_Man
Explorer
May 20, 2015
That liquid roof looks like it could be good stuff. Perhaps someone on this board has tried it and would like to comment on it.
SH
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Baja Man wrote:
interesting....I'd like to know why some are opposed to these coatings.

I think many feel if it needs a coating it probably needs replacement and they could very well be right but not everyone can manage or justify that large expense especially on an older rig.

Another option is Flex Armor
RAS43
Explorer III
May 20, 2015
Keep an eye on those two repairs as using sheet metal to repair an EPDM roof is not a standard fix. The screws create more chances for leaks. Normally a rubber patch is glued over the damage and then the edges are sealed.
Baja_Man
Explorer
May 20, 2015
interesting....I'd like to know why some are opposed to these coatings.
SH
Explorer
May 20, 2015
Baja Man wrote:
Hello All--I know about the use of butyl tape under skylights, vents, etc and self leveling sealant over all seams, edges, vent/skylights edges, over screws, etc.

Am I correct with the above? Am I missing something?

I think you have that down. What I have seen on older rigs (mine is a 2001) is that many owners simply pile more lap sealant over the existing without consideration of its integrity. Unfortunately, the old sealant often needs to be removed before adding new. As an example...the sealant on my skylight looked OK but in reality the under coats were loose and allowed for leakage. The picture shows how easily the sealant came off the roof.

I wanted to know, as I have heard of some folks doing this, but is it recommended to cover the entire roof with a roll on, paint-like finish that seals and protects entire roof? It sounds logical, especially for older EPDM rubber roofs like mine. However, I do not want to do something to diminish or be harmful to the rubber roof material.

Most people are not supportive of using these coatings preferring a complete new membrane installation. I plan on using one of these in a year or two. The product I am considering is Liquid Roof. There is another brand that gets good reviews and they will come to your rig to apply!

Thanks!

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