Forum Discussion

LaPlaya's avatar
LaPlaya
Explorer
Aug 01, 2013

What roof material do I have. EPDM or TPO

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
Class A
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    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?
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2013
    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.
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2013
    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

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