Can you tell me what roofing material I have ? Not having an owners manual or any reference material is proving very difficult for me. I am trying to determine which roofing material I have so I make sure that I buy the correct cleaning supplies and caulking and sealing products. I have a 2001 Fleetwod Flair 31A on the Ford Triton V10 chassis. I have pulled down the ceiling vent trim ring hoping that I would find the roofing material wrapped around and stapled to the roof, but no luck they obviously took a shortcut and just cut around the ceiling vent opening at the roof. If the roofing had of been done properly and brought through the opening and trimmed and stapled there, I could have pulled a few staples and checked the backing to know if it is a EPDM or TPO material. I want to clean the roof and re seal around the vents and other things on the roof. That old caulking up there is looking very brittle and is probably the original 12 year old caulking. Thanks. Bill

Both are handled the same, just stay away from any cleaning products which contain petrolium distillates or citric acid.Dicor sealing products are safe for both as well as Eternabond tape. Stay away from solicone products.Be sure to clean the areas to be resealed with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits and dry thoroughly before applying a sealent

Call Fleetwood and ask them. They have been very helpful to me. My 05 is TP0, but it was not as common back then. I disagree that they are treated the same. My rubber roof mfgr said to use Spic and Span while the TPO folks said to use Murphys Oil Soap. TPO is very tolerant to petroleates compared to EPDM.

Big Katuna wrote:Call Fleetwood and ask them. They have been very helpful to me. My 05 is TP0, but it was not as common back then. I disagree that they are treated the same. My rubber roof mfgr said to use Spic and Span while the TPO folks said to use Murphys Oil Soap. Nither will do any harm and both are recomended for use on TPO or EPDM. TPO is very tolerant to petroleates compared to EPDM.Yes but both can and will destroy both types. Why take the chance when it's easily avoided?I have never heard of "petroleates", is this some new chemical?

harold1946 wrote:Big Katuna wrote:Call Fleetwood and ask them. They have been very helpful to me. My 05 is TP0, but it was not as common back then. I disagree that they are treated the same. My rubber roof mfgr said to use Spic and Span while the TPO folks said to use Murphys Oil Soap. Nither will do any harm and both are recomended for use on TPO or EPDM. TPO is very tolerant to petroleates compared to EPDM.Yes but both can and will destroy both types. Why take the chance when it's easily avoided?You need to do some research. TPO is used on Destroyer decks and pontoon boats and will completely withstand prolonged direct contact with gasoline or alcohol that would melt a rubber roof.

I think TPO is EDPM but with a coating on it. I clean mine with water and a soft brush.

What roof material do I have. EPDM or TPO | Good Sam Community

harold1946
Explorer
Aug 02, 2013
LaPlaya wrote:
Thanks for all the great info, however I am still not sure which roofing material I have ..

Fleetwood switched to TPO in 1996 on all but their high end coaches which are fiberglass. Prior to that they used EPDM.
TPO does not sluff off like EPDM, which leds me to believe the streaking is not from the roof, but rather the oxidation of the finish on the front cap, be it gelcoat or paint.
TPO and EPDM were developed as roofing materials for flat roofs and was first used on commercial buildings.
LaPlaya
Explorer
Aug 03, 2013
I figured it out. I have a TPO roof. Now to research on how to clean and maintain it.

Thanks to all who replied.

Bill
fritzrs
Explorer
Aug 23, 2013
I have a new RV with TPO-plastic (not EPDM-rubber) roof. Here's what I've learned about TPO-plastic...

TPO is ThermoPlastic Olefin (Dicor calls it Brite-TEK)
TPO is a plastic derivative, with all positives and negatives that implies.
TPO comes with or without fleece backing.
Never use Acetone or Citrus Cleaners on TPO.
A soft bristle brush may be used during cleaning.
TPO Repair:
Do NOT use silicone sealant - it will not adhere to TPO plastic.
Do NOT use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives, or citric-based cleaners.
Clean TPO lap sealant: If soap and water do not clean the sealant to your satisfaction, use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to wipe away dirt build-up on the seal. Rinse off mineral spirits with fresh water.
Repair TPO lap sealant: Use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits to eliminate all foreign materials from surface of sealant, let dry for at least 15 minutes and apply a TPO lap sealant directly over the existing sealant – allow new sealant to touch both TPO and accessory surface.
Cleaning Mold-Mildew* from TPO:
Bucket of water, Sponge, Medium Bristle Brush, TILEX Bathroom Cleaner
*Mold and mildew on your TPO roof is simply a parasite that attaches itself to the roof and grows. It does not attack the TPO membrane but is unsightly and if allowed to grow will discolor the roof completely and may become a stain that cannot be removed.
Note: Removal of mold and mildew is not a job to be rushed. Go slow...

TPO-plastic has more thermal expansion than EPDM-rubber, says Dicor’s Gregg Fore. That means TPO is not as pliable as EPDM. There are weight differences, TPO is about half the weight of EPDM. You save about one pound-per-lineal-foot, which translates into gas savings on the road.
The consumer should plan on checking the TPO sealant a couple times a year (every spring and every fall).
Cleaning: Nothing stronger than Murphy’s® Oil Soap should be used on a TPO RV roof.

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What roof material do I have. EPDM or TPO

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