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spiffytech's avatar
spiffytech
Explorer
May 05, 2013

DIY, cheap repair for torn vinyl roof?

An unfortunate encounter with a tree branch has left me with a tear in my vinyl roof about 3 feet long, extending a few inches inward, exposing the plywood beneath and the gap between the plywood and the siding.

I'm short on cash to get this fixed in a shop, so I'm looking for cheap DIY solutions. Can I just put a bunch of heavy-duty duct tape over the wound and call it good? What about applying a bunch of the sealant used around the skylights and A/C unit? Are there any other good approaches I could take?
  • It is most likely a TPO roof and this material looks like vinyl. Eternabond is expensive but it will definitely provide a strong and long lasting waterproof seal. It is the most permanent way to repair the damage short of a new roof.
  • Hmmm...
    Never seen a vinyl roof before.
    PPL sells it for $14.00 a linear foot.
    Vinyl RV roof

    Wonder if a swimming pool patch would work and last?
  • spiffytech wrote:
    My roof is very definitely vinyl, and not rubber. I had the RV dealer I got the RV from verify this, and that assessment is reinforced by seeing the material that was torn off by the tree branch.

    I do have insurance, but it has a $500 deductible that I'd really rather not shell out if there's a cheaper DIY fix I can do.


    pay the $500 and have a new roof installed. It's the best way to end up with a repair that will last. Insurance should pay for a complete reroof.
  • My roof is very definitely vinyl, and not rubber. I had the RV dealer I got the RV from verify this, and that assessment is reinforced by seeing the material that was torn off by the tree branch.

    I do have insurance, but it has a $500 deductible that I'd really rather not shell out if there's a cheaper DIY fix I can do.
  • You'll find the roof is probably EPDM, (sheet rubber) and the most durable repair is Eternabond tape. Clean the area where the tape will be applied. The tape adhesive is very strong so use care when placing it. Once it touches down that's where it going to stay...
    Eternabond Tape

    Bestmaterials has the best price I've found, but RV dealers or Camping World also have it.

    Silicon adhesives will not hold on the rubber roof and will insure nothing else will stick to the rubber...If you want to seal the edge of the tape or around fixtures there is a lap sealant made for rubber EPDM roofing.
    Hope this helps and welcome to RVnet....

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