I own a 2011 Keystone Sprinter. Last summer while traveling out west, we experienced a complete separation of the EPDM rubber from the front end cap. I thought my caulk was solid but I guess not. The entire length separated from port to starboard. It resulted in an enormous 6 wide, 3 foot high bubble at highway speed. I had no choice but to try to tape it down with awning tape and limp back home. It was white knuckle stress all the way back. (600 miles) I count myself lucky to have not lost the entire roof in transit.Anyway, I have searched this forum for roof separation and have found surprisingly nothing.Has anyone experienced this type of failure? Any repair ideas? Was it a success? I would appreciate any input. My plan is to try Eternabond on the joint between the roof and endcap, but I am really afraid that this failure is going to be a nightmare.Thanks in advance.

I dont think it was the caulking's fault. The membrane should have been glued down. I'm afraid you may just have to get a new roof unless the material can be re-secured.Best of luck to you.Scott

If you were on I90 westbound in mid-September I may have seen you. We were Eastbound so we had no chance to warn you/them. If yours was similar I can't imagine it's repairable 'cause it must be stretched out considerably. I feel for you.

I have successfully used brass upholstery tacks and nailed it back down , put self leveling caulk on the nails and re-coated . Held for four years until I traded the fifth wheel in ! The tacks had ridges on the sides and I spaced them about every nine inches , about 20 feet on a 34 foot trailer . Two years ago I did it the same way on the first three feet on a TT . Because the roof was stretched out , I cut a slice in the rubber , tucked tight and nailed her down . Most will say this will not work , it did for me !

wow, wonders never cease. The "technique" probably costs little and if it doesn't work, you have little to lose since the next step is membrane replacement... although maybe the alternative might be slitting the membrane down the middle (and lead edge), folding it back, apply adhesive and then fold back down... trimming any "stretch extra" and caulking the slices. Similar to laying linoleum.

Roof Separation - Help! | Good Sam Community

westend
Explorer
Mar 15, 2017
moresmoke wrote:
My understanding is that the adhesive needs to be able to soak into the wood substrate to cure. So this requires replacing the roof deck with virgin panels.

click here

No, there is no "open" time when using the adhesive so "soaking" isn't necessary. Every EPDM replacement I've seen installed, the installer scrapes down the surface, brooms off the residue, and may use pressurized air as a final cleanup. The adhesive is applied with a notched trowel or spread with a rubber squeegee. The membrane is then unfolded onto the adhesive and rolled to ensure contact. I don't install EPDM but I have been on jobs where it is part of the roofing system.

There are a few threads on this Forum where owners have replaced the membrane.
mikakuja
Explorer
Mar 15, 2017
Water intrusion or improper adhesive application will cause the problem you are having.... There is a specific adhesive for the EPDM roof membranes which can be purchased online or at pretty much any dealership. Depending on weather the membrane was stretched beyond repair, you might be lucky enough to remove the trim and carefully pull back the roof section that failed and apply new adhesive, then roll or squeegee the membrane back in place. Not a terribly difficult job, just lots of trim removal and resealing. Use Dicor on the roof joints and Proflex on the trim.
moresmoke
Explorer
Mar 15, 2017
My understanding is that the adhesive needs to be able to soak into the wood substrate to cure. So this requires replacing the roof deck with virgin panels.

click here
westend
Explorer
Mar 15, 2017
How would you recommend getting to bare wood. Belt sander? Or remove the wood? Or something else?
I'd suggest to visit or call a roofing supplier before I made the decision to remove all the old adhesive remnants. My experience with adhesives like these is that it isn't necessary. The supplier can also recommend the best application tools needed and processes involved.

Good luck with the repair.
js6343js6343
Explorer
Mar 14, 2017
moresmoke wrote:
The trim has a plastic cover over the center that will pull out. Then you will see the screw heads. There is a screw every 6" or so, and gray butyl sealant behind the trim.

Keep in mind that the "proper" glue for the membrane needs to be applied to bare wood. It won't cure properly if applied over previous glue.

You will also need some Dicor, both the self leveling and non leveling.

How would you recommend getting to bare wood. Belt sander? Or remove the wood? Or something else?
moresmoke
Explorer
Mar 13, 2017
The trim has a plastic cover over the center that will pull out. Then you will see the screw heads. There is a screw every 6" or so, and gray butyl sealant behind the trim.

Keep in mind that the "proper" glue for the membrane needs to be applied to bare wood. It won't cure properly if applied over previous glue.

You will also need some Dicor, both the self leveling and non leveling.
js6343js6343
Explorer
Mar 12, 2017
Thanks for all the good feedback. I think I will try to remove the front and side trim and pull back the membrane, then glue and apply eternabond. (Though I have no idea how to remove the trim)

And cross my fingers....
TurnThePage
Explorer
Mar 11, 2017
I like all three answers above this post. Glue and Eternabond will save the day.
westend
Explorer
Mar 11, 2017
The proper way to repair this would be to remove the roof edge trim, apply EPDM adhesive to the deck below, and then press/roll the membrane back into place. After the membrane is reattached to the roof deck, you can follow up by taping the front edge with Eternabond and reinstalling the edge trim.

A roofing supply distributor will have all the materials you need to do this repair.
GrandpaKip
Explorer II
Mar 11, 2017
That's a real shame.
I would buy a roll of eternabond and the proper glue.
If it's stretched, slit it and cover with the tape.
Good luck.