We bought a Northstar camper in 2016. The manufacturer, Rex, uses butyl tape extensively. It has oozed out of cracks and around jack plates, etc. as expected. Only certain areas have actual caulk/silicone (ex. tops of windows, roof, penetrations, inside edge of nose trim and area under nose).
I recently reapplied some Dicor on a few screwheads on the roof where the caulk was wearing a little thin. Otherwise it all looks great. Today while looking at the outside corner trim on the nose, I noticed that chunks of very dirty butyl tape had flaked out leaving up to a 1/8" gap between the sidewall fiberglass and the plastic trim piece. I'm assuming there is plenty more butyl tape down in behind there, however, I don't like the idea of water getting into that horizontal groove and meeting my wood.
When we pulled out the rubber trim to expose the screw heads that hold the plastic corner trim in place, 2 of the screws had discoloration on the heads and were rusty all the way at their tips. These 2 screws are immediately in front of the first little weep hole in the rubber trim. So, since it is kind of a low point there, is the rust due to water getting behind the rubber "flashing" and wicking up the screws before the weep hole, or is water getting in the butyl rubber gaps from above?
The pics show a small gap in butyl and an area where I just temporarily squished in some excess butyl in the big gaps.
With monsoon season almost upon us, do I need to pull the whole corner trim and put on a fresh length of butyl tape? Do I clean up the area as best I can and run a non-sag bead of Dicor over the entire length? I'd ask Rex or Bill at TCW, but I can't wait 2 months for an answer ;).
Thanks!
I recently reapplied some Dicor on a few screwheads on the roof where the caulk was wearing a little thin. Otherwise it all looks great. Today while looking at the outside corner trim on the nose, I noticed that chunks of very dirty butyl tape had flaked out leaving up to a 1/8" gap between the sidewall fiberglass and the plastic trim piece. I'm assuming there is plenty more butyl tape down in behind there, however, I don't like the idea of water getting into that horizontal groove and meeting my wood.
When we pulled out the rubber trim to expose the screw heads that hold the plastic corner trim in place, 2 of the screws had discoloration on the heads and were rusty all the way at their tips. These 2 screws are immediately in front of the first little weep hole in the rubber trim. So, since it is kind of a low point there, is the rust due to water getting behind the rubber "flashing" and wicking up the screws before the weep hole, or is water getting in the butyl rubber gaps from above?
The pics show a small gap in butyl and an area where I just temporarily squished in some excess butyl in the big gaps.
With monsoon season almost upon us, do I need to pull the whole corner trim and put on a fresh length of butyl tape? Do I clean up the area as best I can and run a non-sag bead of Dicor over the entire length? I'd ask Rex or Bill at TCW, but I can't wait 2 months for an answer ;).
Thanks!
Lot of butyl is good thing.
I think PO of my Lance redid all the trim and when I bought it, the butyl was creating "drops" coming out. When it look ugly and I start scraping that with my nails, the 18 yo camper has no dryrot beside couple of spots where butyl could not be used.
I tried several caulks, including high-priced marine grade and they turn yellow and either crack, of peel of easy, letting water to get under unnoticeable.
I think PO of my Lance redid all the trim and when I bought it, the butyl was creating "drops" coming out. When it look ugly and I start scraping that with my nails, the 18 yo camper has no dryrot beside couple of spots where butyl could not be used.
I tried several caulks, including high-priced marine grade and they turn yellow and either crack, of peel of easy, letting water to get under unnoticeable.
The insert trim on the underside of the camper is a vulnerable spot to introduce water into the camper. The insert trim runs from the top of the cabover and caries water to the underside where it pools in the cap which is inverted. Water can then wick up into the camper through unsealed screws. That rust is proof that is what's happening. Fill the hole with caulk and reinstall the screws and caulk the heads. I would do this the entire length of the insert trim. It is not water tight so water will get in along the top of the cab making any unsealed screw a potential leak.
I just went through this.
I also added a weep on each under side to keep water draining away from the camper.
As far as your other butyl, I personally would cut back everything that isn't helping and get a better look. I seal those joints with caulking and would probably reseal those areas after scraping off all the excess butyl. You might consider calling Northstar and asking what they would use to top that joint.
I just went through this.
I also added a weep on each under side to keep water draining away from the camper.
As far as your other butyl, I personally would cut back everything that isn't helping and get a better look. I seal those joints with caulking and would probably reseal those areas after scraping off all the excess butyl. You might consider calling Northstar and asking what they would use to top that joint.
