Cleaning an epdm roof

DutchmenSport wrote:
Now that you DO have it clean, spend the $10 and get a gallon of rubber roof conditioner and apply it to the roof. It will help seal that "white" stuff up more, and put some 'stuff'back into the "rubber" to help protect it. Think of it as vitamin oils for the rubber roof. The difference after it dries is like night and day. Also, makes the roof nice and smooth, so water, dirt rolls off much easier too.

Funny, so many will put so much attention into tires and waxing the sides of their campers and such, but do so little to help protect the most important part of their camper ... the roof, other than checking cracks in the caulking, they do nothing to the roof. Don't make sense to me. But, to each his own.

I don't think you are "helping" your roof at all. You are just making yourself feel better. All these roof conditioners just started appearing a couple years ago when people DEMANDED that manufacturers give them something to make them feel better. They gladly sold a product and made a profit on something that wouldn't hurt the roof, but I have yet to see one iota of proof that it helps or lengthens the longevity of the roof.

LarryJM wrote:
Yea LEAVE IT ALONE ... that white stuff is the normal deterioration of the protective layer which helps provide more protection as a somewhat sacrificial layer if left alone. By trying to remove it which BTW is going to be virtually impossible you are IMO actually SHORTENING THE LIFE of your roof.

LEAVE YOUR ROOF ALONE and GO CAMPING:B:W

Larry

I agree. I'm on my second trailer and have never cleaned a roof. They are designed to work that way. Similar roofing is used on commercial buildings and gets ZERO maintenance and they last a long time. Leave it alone and go camping!

Your roof is cleaner than my roof...because I want mine to last.

I rarely clean my roof. I use an rv brush and a little Dawn when I do. Actually the wife gets up there and does it. She's a lot lighter

LarryJM wrote:

nextlevel wrote:
Good morning everyone. I am having trouble getting my epdm roof clean. I bought this 2011 Puma back in July and I don't think the previous owner ever cleaned the roof. I am presently using Lucas #115 as a cleaner but after cleaning I can still rub my hand across the rubber and white stuff comes off. Any advice?

Yea LEAVE IT ALONE ... that white stuff is the normal deterioration of the protective layer which helps provide more protection as a somewhat sacrificial layer if left alone. By trying to remove it which BTW is going to be virtually impossible you are IMO actually SHORTENING THE LIFE of your roof.

LEAVE YOUR ROOF ALONE and GO CAMPING:B:W

Larry

X2,
Your roof never "needs" to be cleaned except for your own asthetic reasons. The more you clean it the more you remove that protective white coating. It does nothing healthy for the roof to clean it.
The best thing you can do is inspect the caulking and otherwise leave it alone.

Murphy’s Oil Soap was what was recommended to use as a cleaner on the roof of my trailer. It never got it completely clean, but it removed the worst of the dirt. It’s pH neutral and relatively mild, so it won’t harm the roof.

outta sight, outta mind, two many bad knees

Now that you DO have it clean, spend the $10 and get a gallon of rubber roof conditioner and apply it to the roof. It will help seal that "white" stuff up more, and put some 'stuff'back into the "rubber" to help protect it. Think of it as vitamin oils for the rubber roof. The difference after it dries is like night and day. Also, makes the roof nice and smooth, so water, dirt rolls off much easier too.

Funny, so many will put so much attention into tires and waxing the sides of their campers and such, but do so little to help protect the most important part of their camper ... the roof, other than checking cracks in the caulking, they do nothing to the roof. Don't make sense to me. But, to each his own.

The roof only needs to be washed once or twice a year, with a mild cleaner, mainly just to get the dirt off. It does not need to be squeaky clean. After cleaning, it is most important to check the roof for cracks in caulk, or any problem that may cause water intrusion.

Jerry

nextlevel wrote:
Good morning everyone. I am having trouble getting my epdm roof clean. I bought this 2011 Puma back in July and I don't think the previous owner ever cleaned the roof. I am presently using Lucas #115 as a cleaner but after cleaning I can still rub my hand across the rubber and white stuff comes off. Any advice?

Yea LEAVE IT ALONE ... that white stuff is the normal deterioration of the protective layer which helps provide more protection as a somewhat sacrificial layer if left alone. By trying to remove it which BTW is going to be virtually impossible you are IMO actually SHORTENING THE LIFE of your roof.

LEAVE YOUR ROOF ALONE and GO CAMPING:B:W

Larry