Was up on the roof cleaning it yesterday and found a thin slice in the membrane 2-3" long at rear. No idea when it happened and guessing last season. Maybe an overhanging branch in a CG? Had a cover on it all winter which I removed a couple of months ago.No obvious swelled roof decking or signs of water leakage inside. Trusses are aluminum so at least won't rot. The cut is close to the rear wall which will have wood framing in it. Should I just repair it and hope there is no damage or insignificant damage and forget about it and carry on camping? I think the roof is plywood and not OSB which would help.

What I would do (and did) is get a moisture meter and check for any dampness in the general area of the damage.If it's dry, repair the cut with Eternabond. Then monitor and check the area occasionally.

I found two tiny (1/4" long) cuts in the edge of my slide out roof yesterday and just put a piece of Eternabond over them. Not much you can or need to do it there's no damage.

gbopp wrote:What I would do (and did) is get a moisture meter and check for any dampness in the general area of the damage.If it's dry, repair the cut with Eternabond. Then monitor and check the area occasionally.A moisture meter is a good idea. I picked up some Eternabond earlier today and just need the rain to go away and sun to come out (and hopefully for the rest of the season too, it's been miserable to date). Agree, nothing much can be done short of ripping the TT apart - a bit too invasive compared to just praying it's all okay. At least it's not like failed caulking that could have been leaking for years.I think this is going to be the year I do a pressure test to look for leaks top to bottom.

what type of membrane is it? is it that TPO that has a felt backing?bumpy

Found small cut in roof membrane - should I be worried?

13 Replies

myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 17, 2018
The sun came out and it warmed up nice so I put the patch on. The roof deck is OSB but there was plenty of adhesive on it and not swelled up in the least. It doesn't look like there was any chance at all of water getting in. Whew. Will get some Dicor to put on it too.
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
myredracer wrote:
Yes, it's TPO. Awfully thin stuff that's for sure and doesn't seem very strong.

Membrane cuts caused by driving under low hanging tree branches is hardly the fault of the membrane or it's manufacturer regardless of whether it's TPO or EPDM. :R
Not saying it's their fault. Just saying the TPO in and of itself doesn't seem to be terribly strong stuff. One of the keys to TPO maintenance and long life is clearly staying away from branches. :(
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2018
dougrainer wrote:
Install the Eternabond over the cut. Then cover the Eternabond and edges with Dicor. The Dicor helps stop the Eternabond edges from possibly curling up. Doug

Thanks for the advice. The owner of the RV repair shop I got the Eternabond from suggested using Dicor around the edges of the tape. Thinking it was maybe a little overkill, I didn't buy any. So now it looks like I'll be back to get some and put some over the whole patch. Might even look factory original when done and match the rest of the goop on the roof. :)
Camper_G
Explorer
Jun 15, 2018
SoundGuy wrote:
myredracer wrote:
Yes, it's TPO. Awfully thin stuff that's for sure and doesn't seem very strong.

Having had a vinyl TPO membrane on our own previous K-Z Spree and soft rubber EPDM membrane on anything else we've owned I'd much rather have TPO that lays perfectly flat and properly cared for will look great for years. Membrane cuts caused by driving under low hanging tree branches is hardly the fault of the membrane or it's manufacturer regardless of whether it's TPO or EPDM. :R

Agreed and one of the reasosns i love my my laytons one piece aluminum roof. 29 yrs old and going strong.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 15, 2018
myredracer wrote:
Yes, it's TPO. Awfully thin stuff that's for sure and doesn't seem very strong.

Having had a vinyl TPO membrane on our own previous K-Z Spree and soft rubber EPDM membrane on anything else we've owned I'd much rather have TPO that lays perfectly flat and properly cared for will look great for years. Membrane cuts caused by driving under low hanging tree branches is hardly the fault of the membrane or it's manufacturer regardless of whether it's TPO or EPDM. :R
dougrainer
Nomad
Jun 15, 2018
Install the Eternabond over the cut. Then cover the Eternabond and edges with Dicor. The Dicor helps stop the Eternabond edges from possibly curling up. Doug
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 15, 2018
Yes, it's TPO. Awfully thin stuff that's for sure and doesn't seem very strong.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
Bumpyroad wrote:
what type of membrane is it? is it that TPO that has a felt backing?

The OP's 2014 Spree has a TPO membrane but no felt backing which was a problem with earlier versions of TPO produced around 2008.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 14, 2018
what type of membrane is it? is it that TPO that has a felt backing?
bumpy
myredracer
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2018
gbopp wrote:
What I would do (and did) is get a moisture meter and check for any dampness in the general area of the damage.
If it's dry, repair the cut with Eternabond. Then monitor and check the area occasionally.

A moisture meter is a good idea. I picked up some Eternabond earlier today and just need the rain to go away and sun to come out (and hopefully for the rest of the season too, it's been miserable to date).

Agree, nothing much can be done short of ripping the TT apart - a bit too invasive compared to just praying it's all okay. At least it's not like failed caulking that could have been leaking for years.

I think this is going to be the year I do a pressure test to look for leaks top to bottom.

Forum Discussion

Found small cut in roof membrane - should I be worried?

13 Replies

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