Forum Discussion

egarant's avatar
egarant
Explorer III
Oct 22, 2015

Butyl Tape vs Dicor Self Leveling

I am about to install a Fantastic Vent and replace the skylight over my shower.

The skylight manufacturer says specifically to use a butyl sealant that comes in a standard caulking gun size like the Dicor does.

This started me thinking, I used to use butyl tape for all seals on my older RV's.

Why can't I just use butyl tape under the new Fantastic Vent and be done with it? Butyl tape also doesn't react with rubber roofs at all.

Seems like less of a hassle and no re-sealing every year.

Your thoughts.
Truck Campers
  • egarant's avatar
    egarant
    Explorer III
    Oct 22, 2015
    I am curious as to why the need for the Dicor? I can't see how any moisture could get under or through the squished butyl tape?
  • Super_Dave's avatar
    Super_Dave
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    egarant wrote:
    I am curious as to why the need for the Dicor? I can't see how any moisture could get under or through the squished butyl tape?

    I Eternabonded my camper 2 months after I bought it new. And peace of mind or belt + suspenders is the only reason.
  • brholt's avatar
    brholt
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2015
    egarant wrote:
    I am curious as to why the need for the Dicor? I can't see how any moisture could get under or through the squished butyl tape?



    When it comes to water intrusion better safe than sorry. Having multiple protection modes is good and it should be pretty easy to add the Dicor.
  • woodhog's avatar
    woodhog
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    egarant wrote:
    I am about to install a Fantastic Vent and replace the skylight over my shower.

    The skylight manufacturer says specifically to use a butyl sealant that comes in a standard caulking gun size like the Dicor does.

    This started me thinking, I used to use butyl tape for all seals on my older RV's.

    Why can't I just use butyl tape under the new Fantastic Vent and be done with it? Butyl tape also doesn't react with rubber roofs at all.

    Seems like less of a hassle and no re-sealing every year.

    Your thoughts.


    I also seal all fixtures with butyl first, screw down the fitting then
    Dicor self levelling all around the outside edge.

    I think a lot of leaking problems would be solved if the companies would to the same thing, all the sealants on the outside eventually crack and leak.
  • GeoBoy's avatar
    GeoBoy
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    donn0128 wrote:
    Buttl tape under. Dicor over is what you want to do.


    Absolutely ++++++++++++++++++
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    Super_Dave wrote:
    Butyl tape underneath the edge and dicor over the top of the edge.

    Might as well keep going and put Eternabond over all of that..
    Then, when you discover that there is a leak somewhere, you can be assured that it is not your Fantastic Vent....
  • towpro's avatar
    towpro
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2015
    put butyl puddy under anything, than tighten down screws a couple inches apart, and the mounting flange will be bent down where screws are and bent up between screws where butyl did not squeeze out. not something I would want to do with plastic or any metal flanges.

    I would glue it down with dicor, than seal the screw heads and sides of flange with dicor. But that is just my opinion.

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