Cleaning an epdm roof

JBarca wrote:
The lack of roof maintenance really shows up on this camper. The caulking is in real bad shape. Splits and cracks in a lot of places that are deep. A classic of what happens when you do not do roof maintenance.
.....
Thoughts? What did I miss that tells me leaving the roof uncleaned and un UV treated is OK to do?

Thanks

John

The issue with your friends roof is the first piece that I quoted... caulking is in real bad shape. That is why her roof leaked, not because she didn't clean and condition it.

I sold my 1998 Nash a little over 2 years ago. It was never covered and the roof was never cleaned. When I bought it, I cleaned the edges where the caulk is and used Eternabond tape. The original Nash roof was 17 years old when I sold it and it was fine.

People that want their roof to look pretty can wash and polish and condition to their hearts desire... but I have seen no evidence that doing any of that makes your roof last one day longer. In fact, I remember reading literature that explains that the white coating is specifically designed to chalk off to extend the longevity of the roof. By washing and rubbing off that rough chalked off surface, you are removing the designed feature that extends the life.

Your camper, your choice. I'd rather spend that money on fuel to go camping more and spend that time camping more. EdAtlanta is the only person that I have ever heard of that had a rubber roof failure... ever. Every other roof failure or leak that I have ever seen or heard has been due to improper maintenance of caulked joints or deteriorated plastic pieces on the roof.