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Vintage465's avatar
Vintage465
Nomad
May 06, 2017

First Time Rubber Roof Maintenance

So I have had my Rubber Roofed Trailer since April 2015. I have always had metal roof trailers in the past and zero experiance with them other than what I've read on forums like this one. Today is the first time I've cleaned and treated the roof......Yeah, yeah, I know! Since it was the first time I just went with the goods from Camping World. The trailer was built in October 2014, meaning it should have been cleaned and treated in October 2015 and October 2016. So I have missed two years of maintenance. The only "suspect" looking thing I found on the roof were these black spots of varying size seen below. So my question is, what are we seeing here? Is this damage that puts the roof on time clock/calendar for planned replacement or one of the lifetime warranty coatings? Or is this pretty much the normal aging and yearly maintenance will sustain it. I have just started covering the trailer when we return from road trips and our weather is real mild, normally in the 70's to 80's. Usually kind of damp with overcast-ish type skys



Thanks!

10 Replies

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  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 11, 2017
    "I do not understand the obsession with cleaning the roofs on RVs. The EPDM membrane is used in commercial applications and is never washed."

    Down, my roof is cleaner than your roof..my roof is cleaner than.... exactly! Who cares how clean your RV roof is?
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    May 07, 2017
    I do not understand the obsession with cleaning the roofs on RVs. The EPDM membrane is used in commercial applications and is never washed. In fact, the scrubbing of the roof actually shortens it life. It "sheds" material subjected to UV light. That shed material actually shields the remainder intact material from UV light thus extended its life.
  • Vintage465's avatar
    Vintage465
    Nomad
    May 07, 2017
    So after putting some bleach and all the goods from Camping World my rubber roof now looks like you could serve wedding cake on it. I also installed a Fantastic Vent and Vent cover while I was at it. Now I just need to wash the outside of the trailer so she's pretty again!
  • Dirtclods's avatar
    Dirtclods
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2017
    Oxiclean works really well on the roof and just to clean all around your RV.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2017
    "Today is the first time I've cleaned and treated the roof......Yeah, yeah, I know!"

    Winnebago doesn't recommend any "treatments" on rubber roofs and only periodic washing with water and granulated household cleaner. Where did you get your information? Mine came from my Winnebago owner's instructions.
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 06, 2017
    Reconsider if that cover is blocking the little sun you get that will kill that mold/moldew.
    Any moisture trapped exasperates the issue even if the cover is breathable fabric.

    I have done nothing to clean or treat my roof in 12 years. Just some Dicor every two or three years to cover cracks in the existing caulk. OK and we get far more sun than rain down here so not completely comparable. Looks fine to me.
  • BFL13's avatar
    BFL13
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2017
    Put laundry bleach in a spray bottle and spray an area good and wet, let it sit for a little (you can tell when), sponge mop, and hose off. Roof will be white again. Bleach is ok on the rubber roof.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2017
    That's mildew from damp weather conditions.

    I've had a rubber roof going on 15 years, and honestly, I've NEVER treated it with anything. I've washed it maybe twice. It's in fine shape. I spend most of my time in dry climates.

    What you should do.. I'm not sure, other than getting out of a wet climate. Overcast skies never let the sun dry it up sufficiently.

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