Forum Discussion

mikefos's avatar
mikefos
Explorer
Jun 15, 2020

Alpha Systems Alpha-ply TPO roof sealing

Howdy,

I was going to reseal the self-leveling sealant areas on my Alpha-ply TPO roof with Alpha Systems 1021 sealant, due to the surface cracking that you can see in the photos around the ladder and radio antenna . Alpha Systems recommends soap and water to clean the areas but that doesn't entirely clean-up the surface of the existing sealant, unless what I see left over is just discoloration. I also tried some denatured alcohol on one area and that didn't help either. The soap and water (Dawn) took care of the loose material on top of the sealant but you can see it is still discolored. Can I lay down the self-leveling sealant over the existing discolored sealant surfaces on the roof and be confident it will adhere (after going over with Dawn and water)? All areas of existing sealant are this color. I believe originally in 2012 when new, this material was white.

Thanks,
Mike



  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2020
    mikefos wrote:
    The old material is still adhered well to the membrane and I'm not about to try to peel it off and really make a mess of things (that would be a real battle).


    It's not that difficult to peel it up using a plastic putty knife. As nasty as the current sealant looks, I'd never consider putting new over the top of that mess.

    In this video I used a metal putty knife only because I was working on the metal vent flange. Other areas I always use a plastic putty knife.
  • mikefos's avatar
    mikefos
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2020
    Howdy,

    Called Alpha Systems and they said as long as I got surface dirt off and the existing material isn't hard and crumbling (which it is not) or moldy/mildew slimy (which it is not), I am good to go with laying new material down on top of the old. The old material is still adhered well to the membrane and I'm not about to try to peel it off and really make a mess of things (that would be a real battle). Just odd that it is a stained brown color on the surface (still white underneath if you scratch it), but they said don't worry about it, their stuff will adhere to it. So I will attack it today.

    Mike
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2020
    jdc1 wrote:
    On a warm day, use a plastic putty knife to get off what you can and call it good to go.


    Ditto.
    I just did this project last Wednesday on my TPO roof, using Alpha sealant.

    It was a different roof I worked on where I used Dicor and the roof bubbled up.
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    Jun 16, 2020
    jdc1 wrote:
    Self leveling Dicor caulk is what most of us use.


    Dicor will cause an Alpha Systems TPO roof to bubble up. Ask me how I know.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2020
    I’m not a “beautiful roof” RV person but that black stuff is ugly.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    Jun 15, 2020
    On a warm day, use a plastic putty knife to get off what you can and callit good to go. Self leveling Dicor caulk is what most of us use.

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