life of a rubber roof, without any damage
Just trying to get an idea of the life of a rubber roof on my Jayco Greyhawk. Its been no issue at this time, (2007) just looking forward, has not been treaded , so at this time should it be done, tha...
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Depends on what you expect from the roof. If you expect it to keep out moisture, it will last a very long time. If you expect it to be sparkling white, it will last about 6 months. The same EPDM is used in commercial applications and requires ZERO maintenance. Up until about 10 or 12 years ago, the manufacturers didn't recommend any maintenance besides cleaning and inspecting the caulk joint at the sidewalls. Once consumers started clammering for products to use to "treat" and "seal" and "protect", the industry started to give them products, for a reasonable fee, of course.
Those products, if used properly, won't damage the roof. I have seen ZERO literature that use of those products will actually extend the life of the roof, however. Their are people that absolutely have to do "something" to feel better about the roof, so the industry decided they could make money off those people.
Growing up we had campers, dad never washed them. Not once. Every spring and fall we would re-caulk the joints. They did fine. My last camper was a 1998 Nash 22H. Great trailer, loved it. My wife's uncle owned it before me. Never once in the 12 years that he or I owned it was the roof washed, treated, protected or sealed. I cleaned the joints to inspect them and to put Eternabond on them. Never leaked, sold it 3 years ago and I believe its still being used.
That would put the life at 20 years on that particular model... stored outdoors its entire life, never placed under cover and parked under a pine tree for the 5 years I owned it...
Those products, if used properly, won't damage the roof. I have seen ZERO literature that use of those products will actually extend the life of the roof, however. Their are people that absolutely have to do "something" to feel better about the roof, so the industry decided they could make money off those people.
Growing up we had campers, dad never washed them. Not once. Every spring and fall we would re-caulk the joints. They did fine. My last camper was a 1998 Nash 22H. Great trailer, loved it. My wife's uncle owned it before me. Never once in the 12 years that he or I owned it was the roof washed, treated, protected or sealed. I cleaned the joints to inspect them and to put Eternabond on them. Never leaked, sold it 3 years ago and I believe its still being used.
That would put the life at 20 years on that particular model... stored outdoors its entire life, never placed under cover and parked under a pine tree for the 5 years I owned it...
