Rubber roof maintenance

Try my method. I do nothing to it. Tree sap and all that stuff up there helps protect it lol.

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Mine is going on 10 years old. I go up 2x a year with a hose, a bucket some Spic and Span and a long handled "Van Wash" brush and a broom (Optional the brusk will do double duty). Sweep any loose debris off, then pour some cleaner in the bucket, fill half full with water from hose, Starting as far from ladder as possible dip brush in bucket and brush away any not so loose stuff.. I work a good size section and then hose it down to rinse.. Then back toward the ladder and keep on brushing and hosing,, Eventually I refresh the bucket (Dump it out add fresh water and cleaner) and continue brushing and spraying.

Finally finishing from a position on the ladder.


ALSO, before you do this remove the covers (both outer and at least the condenser INNER) from the air conditioners,, In the past I have used the hose and flushed them.. But last time I used compressed air,, worked rather well.

Clean anything cleanable, if there are lub ports (Very unlikely) lube, replace covers and then mop.

excellent posts..I just asked in another topic about rubber roofs..this was what I was looking for..thanks...

JJBIRISH, Great post. Read the whole thing.

I have a little conditioner left over from last year. Maybe I'll use that & leave the rest of the roof cleaned but no conditioner & see if there is any difference next year.

There has been very little chalking/powdering on the sides this year making me believe that last years conditioner did at least something.

JJBIRISH
fantastic post
Thanks, that is the most comprehensive I ever seen on this site. :B

I have used 303 since 2001 for a one time a year application. Last 2 Septembers I have use protect all because it is easier than 303. that job is coming up soon. Does it make a difference?? who knows?

chevman

The made for rubber roof gimmicks were a definite not before they bought the companies making the stuff…

But even now they all still agree to not use anything with petroleum distillates or citrus based cleaners or treatments, and any amounts of these things no matter how small can harm the rubber membrane…

Even if you have a newer unit with a TPO roof (2010 and newer) Dicor and other seal sealants can be harmful to the TPO…


Long but a good and informative read…


CLEANING AND PROTECTING RV RUBBER ROOFS
WHAT DO THE MANUFACTURERS SAY?

In my travels to FMCA and Escapee Rallies throughout the U.S, the one question I always encounter is “what about rubber roofs?” The notion of ‘out of sight – out of mind’ is not only neglectful, but is a prescription for destruction and can void your warranty as well. While there are surfaces intended to minimize the amount of elbow grease required, there are no materials subjected to Mother Nature that are maintenance free. There is more confusion regarding the issue of care and maintenance of rubber roofs than any other. Better to do nothing than the wrong thing is only a half-truth. As an owner of a rubber roof, you do have an obligation to be informed so as not to void your manufacturer’s warranty. Each manufacturer has a web site, but they do not all say or recommend the same maintenance program. It’s a prescription for chaos.

There are different types of rubber roofs and each has different properties and requirements. But there is one thing that no rubber roof can withstand – Petroleum Distillates. In fact, Petroleum Distillates are not compatible with any type of rubber or vinyl, as well as many other types of plastics.

This article will focus on two types of roofing materials – EPDM and TPO. The two leading distributors of these rubber roof systems are Dicor Corporation and Alpha Systems, both located in Elkhart, Indiana. EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. This type of rubber roofing membrane is made to last 20 years and has a 10 to 12 year guarantee, depending on the brand. EPDM is one of the most versatile and long lasting materials ever manufactured for outdoor exposure. Most RV industry experts consider EPDM the most dependable, most cost effective and easiest to maintain roofing material. EPDM is described as “ideal for outdoor applications because of its excellent resistance to ultra-violet light, ozone, oxidants and severe weather conditions”. EPDM roofing membrane oxidizes slowly. In a dozen years it may only oxidize 10% of its thickness. This oxidation is what causes the white-gray or gray streaks that run down the sides of RV’s – especially in heavy dew or light rain. EPDM also becomes very slippery when wet.

TPO – Thermal Poly Olefin – was introduced to the RV and Marine Industries in 1994. It is resistant to algae, mold, fungus, and other biological agents. The chemistry of TPO allows for no chalk residue or degradation of the membrane through its useful life. The TPO membranes are non-skid when wet and therefore are used frequently as floor covering in the pontoon boat industry as well. The chemical additives used in TPO for protection from UV light are not self-sacrificing. Instead, they operate in a regenerative fashion as they interfere with the degradation reactions that occur from UV light exposure. Some features of TPO are the advanced polymer technology, weight reduction and easy installation due to its soft and pliable nature. TPO carriers a 12 year manufacturers’ warranty.

There are different opinions when it comes to cleaning and protecting rubber roofs, but everyone agrees that EPDM’s solvent and oil resistance is poor. Care and maintenance instructions from both manufacturers have the following warning: “DO NOT use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives or Citric based cleaners. You may cause irreparable damage to your roof”

The percentage of petroleum distillates doesn’t matter. THERE IS NO LEVEL OF PETROLEUM DISTILLATES THAT IS RECOMMENDED. Laboratory tests conducted in July of 1996 evaluated the effect of a leading RV ‘roof treatment’ product on EPDM roofing membrane using standard sunlamp and immersion testing procedures. The ‘roof treatment’, which contained petroleum distillates, caused a 63% mass change (swelling). Petroleum distillates soak in and cause the adhesive to loosen and the membrane to balloon. Then, when the ballooning goes down, the rubber roof may never again adhere properly or completely. Don’t be fooled by names such as “organic solvent”, “hydrocarbon carrier”, etc. Petroleum distillates by any name should NEVER be applied to EPDM. If you aren’t sure about a product, contact the manufacturer and request a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Look under the section entitled “Hazardous Ingredients”. If it lists any petroleum distillates, do not use it on EPDM.

To maintain your warranty, all that is required is periodic cleaning at least 3 to 4 times per year. What you use is wide open as long as it does not contain petroleum distillates, harsh abrasives, or delaminane (citrus based cleaners). Dicor recommends a non-abrasive type cleaner such as RC 100TM, Borax or DawnTM and a medium to stiff brush. Alpha Systems recommends using a household cleaner such as CometTM, Spic-N-SpanTM, Ajax TM, etc. They say to use a medium-bristled scrub brush in place of a sponge because the EPDM rubber roofing material is not smooth like fiberglass. For more stubborn stains, i.e. oak leaves, pine sap, mold or mildew, the use of a kitchen cleanser with bleach, such as TilexTM or Soft ScrubTM can help. Monoethalomine is also very effective, non-abrasive and minimizes the effort in removing oxidation, pitch, sap, mold and mildew, as well as berry stains from birds and trees. A quick rinse with chlorine (bleach) is necessary to kill the mildew spores and retard their regrowth. Caution should be exercised when washing your roof to prevent cleaners from running down the sides since this could cause streaking. Always pre rinse your RV sides before you rinse your roof. On TPO roofing, Alpha Systems suggests using Murphy’s Oil SoapTM with a soft nylon brush or sponge. DO NOT USE SOLID OR GRANULATED CLEANERS on TPO, AS THEY WILL MAR THE NATURAL FINISH. A good thorough cleaning with some elbow grease, along with the oil soap should keep your roof looking good and remove most stains. Again, any non-granulated, non-abrasive cleaner may be used as long as it does not contain petroleum distillates or delaminane (citrus).


Protecting rubber roofs is s topic of great debate. Per Dicor’s web site, “the guarantee does not require the use of any protective ‘roof treatment’ or ‘roof protector’ product and recommends only cleaning”. This is consistent with both Dicor and Alpha Systems. However, Dicor states that when the roof no longer looks good to “clean the area and treat it with a product that will repel soiling and is safe for EPDM”. Both Dicor and Alpha Systems stated that they have never had issue with any protectant provided that it contained NO PETROLEUM DISTILLATES.

In summary, you must maintain your rubber roof to protect your warranty. Neglect can cause damage to both your roof as well as RV sidewalls from oxides. DO NOT use any products containing any amount of petroleum distillates. Wash routinely with any appropriate cleaner and pre-rinse your RV sides before rinsing your roof to prevent the cleaner from running down the sides. While no protective coating is required to maintain your warranty, you may use one if you choose – without jeopardizing your warranty. If your roof becomes dull, flat or unsightly, then you may use a protectant to improve the appearance and make maintenance easier by eliminating gray streaks, minimizing black streaks and providing protection against staining. The protectant you choose should be intended for walking surfaces in that it will not make them slippery. It should also provide a reasonable amount of protection, be durable enough to wash, and have a reasonable longevity when exposed to the elements.

Here is some additional information, which may prove helpful. Black streaks are the result of dust and dew, which mixes to slurry and then migrates over the edge and down the sides. Unsightly as they may be, they are not harmful to the RV sides. But gray streaks are another matter. The gray streaks are a combination of the roof oxides and black streaks. When this mixture reaches the vinyl stripes, repeated exposure to sunlight will leach out the pigment and leave permanent vertical streaking. Washing should be done out of the sun and preferably in the early morning to take advantage of the emulsifying action from the dew. Cleaning should never be done on a hot surface.

This article was made possible with the help of Kathy Baines of Dicor Corporation and Jeff Kronemeyer of Alpha Systems, Inc.


Written by Harry Barmon, President of TSRW Products, Inc. Harry has presented seminars nationally for the Marine and RV Industries on varying topics of cleaning, polishing, and protecting different materials. Questions regarding the above topics may be sent to harry@tsrw.com.


and


Truth About EPDM Rubber Roofs
EPDM Rubber: What it is and why it lasts so long.
Proper Care: What manufacturers actually recommend
WATCH OUT! For RV products that can damage EPDM rubber & void your warranty!
How to keep your EPDM rubber roof clean & looking like new.


Overview

EPDM is one of the most versatile and long lasting materials ever manufactured for outdoor exposure. Most RV industry experts consider EPDM rubber roofing membrane the most dependable, most cost effective and easiest to maintain roofing material there is. Yet, today's average RVer is deluged with information, a great deal of it misinformation. Consequently, RVers are spending millions on unneeded products, many of which can be harmful to EPDM rubber roofs.

This Public Service Announcement details the truth about EPDM and reprints manufacturer's guidelines on cleaning and maintaining the EPDM rubber roofing membrane on your RV. If you have questions after reviewing the material, please contact Dicor Corporation, the RV industry's largest supplier of EPDM rubber roofing. Dicor's address and phone numbers are provided.

Mis-Information, Mistakes & Money

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Engineering specifications describe EPDM as, "Ideal for outdoor applications because of its excellent resistance to ultra-violet light, ozone, oxidants and severe weather conditions."

EPDM rubber roofing membrane is made to last 20 years or longer and has a 10 to 12 year guarantee depending on the brand. The guarantee does not require the use of any protective 'roof treatment' or 'roof protector' product and recommends only cleaning. Unlike natural rubber (latex) or blends (tires & wiper blades), EPDM does not require periodic applications of any product to protect it from ultra-violet light or ozone.

The statement or implication that you should purchase and apply a product to "protect" your rubber roof the elements is misinformation. Buying and using such a product can be a mistake and may even damage the EPDM membrane.

Petroleum Distillates... Not for EPDM

Petroleum distillates are incompatible with and should never be used on a number of plastics including vinyl and rubbers, particularly EPDM. Engineering specifications rate EPDM's solvent and oil resistance as "POOR". Dicor's Care and Maintenance instructions warn:

"CAUTION: DO NOT use cleaners or conditioners containing petroleum solvents, harsh abrasives or citric based cleaners. You may cause irreparable damage to your roof."

Laboratory tests conducted in July of 1996 evaluated the effect of a leading RV "roof treatment" product on EPDM roofing membrane using standard sunlamp and immersion testing procedures. The "roof treatment", which contained petroleum distillates, caused a 63% mass change (swelling). In the summary/recommendations portion of the lab test the scientists stated they would recommend the "roof treatment" and more tellingly noted, "Per the MSDS, this product contains petroleum distillates, a substance that is known to be INCOMPATIBLE with... EPDM sheeting".

For your rubber roof, for the EPDM door and truck seals around slide-outs/pop-ups, in the baggage compartments or for the EPDM door and trunk seals in your car, petroleum distillates are a huge "no no". And don't be fooled by names such as "organic solvent", "hydrocarbon carrier", etc. Petroleum distillates by any other name should NEVER be applied to EPDM. If you aren't sure about a product, contact the manufacturer and have them send you a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Look under the section entitled "HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS". If it lists any petroleum distillates, do not use it on EPDM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it necessary to protect my rubber roof against UV light?
A: No.

Q: What do I need to do to care for my rubber roof?
A: Periodic cleaning (See Dicor Care & Maintenance instructions)

Q: One manufacturer told me their roof treatment product had only a minor percentage of petroleum distillates, something like 20 or 30%. Does the percentage matter?
A: No. Usually percentages given are based on weight. Since petroleum distillates are significantly lighter than water, in reality 30% by weight might be 40% or more by volume. But the percentage of petroleum distillates doesn't matter. THERE IS NO LEVEL OF PETROLEUM DISTILLATES THAT IS RECOMMENDED.

Q: If I use a roof treatment product containing petroleum distillates on my rubber roof, can that void my warranty?
A: Yes

Q: If I'm going to buy a used RV and it has a rubber roof, how can I tell if the previous owner used petroleum distillates and damaged the rubber roof? What would the damage look like?
A: Two things: First, swelling. Uneven thickness of material. Second, loose areas. Petroleum distillates soak in and cause the adhesive to loosen and the membrane to balloon. Then, when the ballooning goes down, it may never again adhere properly or completely.

Q: Is it easy to repair tears in the roof membrane?
A: Any tear in an EPDM roof membrane can be repaired using a number of repair methods. Dicor has a prepackaged peel and stick repair kit that works well on small tears (up to 8"), a larger kit that should be used on larger damaged areas, and also rolls of peel and stick material for long, narrow tears.

Q: Oxidation: My roof seems to oxidize and run down the sides when it rains. What's going on?
A: First, EPDM roofing membrane does oxidize slowly; it's supposed to. In a dozen years it may oxidize 10% of its thickness. This is normal. Cleaning at least four times a year will help greatly, more often if your local conditions and experience warrant.

Q: The rubber roofing wraps over slightly on both sides of my RV and you can see it from the ground. It gets dirty and doesn't look good. What can I do about this?
A: Clean the area and treat it with a product that will repel soiling and is safe for EPDM. One product that performs and lasts well, is safe for EPDM and is commonly available at RV stores is 303 Protectant.



Dicor Corporation • P.O. Box 1806 • Elkhart, Indiana 46515
Tel. (219) 264-2699 • Fax (219) 293-2017 • Toll Free (800) 837-2059

Looking for experience from those who have used a cleaner & conditioner. I've never used an RV specific cleaner. My cleaner of choice is the car stuff in the pink bottle. Same bottle also can be found labeled RV so the product is likely the same.

Cleaned the roof & put a conditioner on about this time last year. It has spent 7 months indoors since last September so not much sun exposure but still, it is nice to keep things in top shape.

Must be the boater that is still in me.

I asked Thor about my rubber roof and they told me to wash it once or twice a year with Spic and Span or other soap, and there is no need for any other solutions, protectants, etc.

I use a mixture of Dawn, Bleach, Water. Spray it on, let it stand for 10-15 minutes then spray it off. I use a car washing mitt on the vents, AC, skylights. No brushes.