Forum Discussion

bobbyg123's avatar
bobbyg123
Explorer
Aug 25, 2013

Remove or caulk over roof seams?

The roof seam caulk on my 2008 EPDM Jayco roof is finally starting to fail. It's not cracking, but the edges are starting to pull up. What I mean is that I can slide my finger under the caulk 1/2".

Completely removing the old caulk would obviously be ideal, but I'm wondering if I need to go that far? The adhesion is still good for the majority of the caulk on the seam, and it's not cracking. I'm wondering if a "caulk over" will suffice?

Also, are mineral spirits the best thing to prep the area before caulking? Seems like it could be hard on the EPDM roof material.

6 Replies

  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Aug 26, 2013
    If its not leaking don't disturb the good sealant. As other say just pull what you can easily remove and add a bit of Dicor self leveling sealant to the area or a similar self leveling product.
    Remember you don't want to make a dam for pools of water to sit up there.

    I've added a bit of Dicor on my '97 28' 5er roof 3 times over the years, as it was needed. No leaks but just a few short hair line cracks and a couple of spots around the skylite that had lifted.
  • mark5w's avatar
    mark5w
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    downtheroad wrote:
    I'd pull off as much caulk as I could without damaging the roof material and then seal those seams with Eternabond.


    x2
  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    From a quick search:

    "Never use a petroleum distillate (even a solvent as mild as mineral spirits) directly on the membrane, in a large area or allow it to soak in. In no way is "treating" the roof membrane with a product containing petroleum distillates recommended or condoned."
  • bobbyg123's avatar
    bobbyg123
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    Hi Bob. Yes, the "plan" is to trade the unit in. Then again, I need to ensure that the thing is well protected in case that plan gets delayed. The current seams are from the factory, and while the edges are starting to lift up, there is still good adhesion for the most part. I think a thorough cleaning and touch up will do the trick yearly until I get rid of her.

    Thanks for the comment. Hope all is well on your end!!
  • Bob_Olallawa's avatar
    Bob_Olallawa
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    If you still plan to trade that thing in shortly, I would think cleaning the seam area good and applying new caulk over the existing would work fine. That is as long as the existing isn't a big over thick mess already and is in good shape except for the edges.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    I'd pull off as much caulk as I could without damaging the roof material and then seal those seams with Eternabond.

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