Rubber roof mantince and calking

[Justinb]

I'm brand new to the rv live style just bought a 2005 outback 27 rsds. Want to keep it well maintained and water tight on the roof I can see some bolts holding stuff on under the rubber that are starting to break through.

1. Should I clean and re seal my roof and if so what are the best products t( there are so any out there)

2. What is the best "caulk" to use on the rubber roof and can I get it at lowes?

3 what is the best caulk to use around the rest of the RV?


Thanks Justin

[westend]

Justinb wrote:
Thanks for the idea!

Would you use 2" or. 4 inch externa bond tape around the whole edge? Would you get the cleaner and roller to put it on?

What type of calk do you use around the windows and doors?

Thanks Justin

I'd use what ever size would do the job. Yes, you need to scrupulously clean the surface the tape adheres to. I scuffed it with a 3M scuff pad and cleaner. Final cleaned with lacquer thinner. Acetone would probably be more friendly. You must roll it, the adhesive is released in the compound of the tape when force is put on it.

I use the Geocel brand of tripolymer sealers on windows, doors, and siding trim. Geocel 2350 is equivalent to what I used but Geocel Proflex RV sealant is almost a twin.

[Justinb]

Thanks for the idea!

Would you use 2" or. 4 inch externa bond tape around the whole edge? Would you get the cleaner and roller to put it on?

What type of calk do you use around the windows and doors?

Thanks Justin

[westend]

Yes, I'd seal it. The roof membrane is actually turned under the edge trim but there are screws under the rubber edge cover and can be a source of water leaks. I covered that screw cover on my trailer with Eternabond tape, didn't want to continually fight aging caulk. I positioned the tape onto the roof and over the top of the edge trim.

[Justinb]

[Justinb]

http://postimg.org/image/6lr2tgm21/

Would you caulk this edge?

[Happy_Camper3]

Here's another one, I would say I am happy with it holding up so far, I did buy the roller for $16 and roll it on as good as I could .

[Happy_Camper3]

Here is my roof from last week, the Eternabond was put on last summer, seems to be holding up well.

Not sure why its black and white, must have hit wrong button on my Nikon Camera, maybe in B&W mode on accident ?

[Happy_Camper3]

spadoctor wrote:
There is no reason to wash or seal a rubber roof. As a fact....the more you clean it the shorter the life. Washing removes the "sluff" layer that is designed to protect the membrane causing faster sluffing and shorter life. This material was invented for the commercial flat roof and as such does not get washed or treated. Many treatments contain solvents that can harm an EPDM roof. That being said is yours EPDM or TPO? Tpo can easily be washed. As for caulk...use Dicor self leveling on EPDM but not TPO. I get my caulk from my dealer so I use what was used to manufacture the camper. NEVER use silicone on an rv anywhere. From personal experience I will NEVER use Eternabond again. Touch up existing caulk every 6 months and you are good to go.

Hello, can you talk more about your experience with Eternabond ? I used it on my EPDM roof last fall. I am going up there this weekend, so see my roof, I will see how well it held up, I will try to take pictures.

Thanks

[Kennedy64]

spadoctor wrote:
if it still looks white then it was not scrubbed a lot. You can get 20 to 25 years out of EPDM

Thanks for answering....Its looking like a dark gray. According to the records of the original owner, they had it professionally caulked back in '08 but that's all I know.
Let me ask you spadoctor, since I think I would be comfortable knowing I have another layer of rubber over it, do you recommend me removing the existing caulk before spreading the Liquid Roof?
I hate being a PITA and hijacking the OP'ers post but lol I am and I did.. Sorry OP'er.

[spadoctor]

if it still looks white then it was not scrubbed a lot. You can get 20 to 25 years out of EPDM

[Kennedy64]

spadoctor wrote:
There is no reason to wash or seal a rubber roof. As a fact....the more you clean it the shorter the life. Washing removes the "sluff" layer that is designed to protect the membrane causing faster sluffing and shorter life. This material was invented for the commercial flat roof and as such does not get washed or treated. Many treatments contain solvents that can harm an EPDM roof. That being said is yours EPDM or TPO? Tpo can easily be washed. As for caulk...use Dicor self leveling on EPDM but not TPO. I get my caulk from my dealer so I use what was used to manufacture the camper. NEVER use silicone on an rv anywhere. From personal experience I will NEVER use Eternabond again. Touch up existing caulk every 6 months and you are good to go.

How long is the life expectancy of a EPDM roof? Mine is 15 yrs old, I've only had the TT since last fall. I have no clue how the prev owner(s) took care of the TT, so I'm afraid of tiny pin prick holes, that I can't see.

[spadoctor]

There is no reason to wash or seal a rubber roof. As a fact....the more you clean it the shorter the life. Washing removes the "sluff" layer that is designed to protect the membrane causing faster sluffing and shorter life. This material was invented for the commercial flat roof and as such does not get washed or treated. Many treatments contain solvents that can harm an EPDM roof. That being said is yours EPDM or TPO? Tpo can easily be washed. As for caulk...use Dicor self leveling on EPDM but not TPO. I get my caulk from my dealer so I use what was used to manufacture the camper. NEVER use silicone on an rv anywhere. From personal experience I will NEVER use Eternabond again. Touch up existing caulk every 6 months and you are good to go.

[Kennedy64]

Going to be tackling this job this week. I'm going to use Liquid Roof rubber coating and seal the entire existing roof. The question I'm stuck on....Do I need to remove all existing Dicor or just seal over all existing with Dicor?

[gbopp]

Welcome to the forum.

For cleaning rubber roofs many use Simple Green or Murphy's Oil Soap.

Dicor self leveling caulk is used on the roof. You can get it at any RV dealer. I don't know if you can get it at Lowe's.

For any leaks or sealing seams, use Eternabond.

Generally, do not use silicone caulk on your RV.

Here are some old posts on Rubber Roof Coatings.

Enjoy your travels.