Screws/Nails Protruding Under Dicor Roof

[Frankly]

I noticed that my TT, which has a Dicor roof, has several spots where it looks like a nail or screw is protruding into the membrane? I called the dealer, and he said not to worry this is normal. Is this correct? I worry it will eventually create a hole and a leak.

[opnspaces]

Frankly wrote:
If I can't get them to fix it, wouldn't it be better to cut a small slit in the membrane, fix the screw/nail, and then patch with eternabond? Otherwise it looks like the screw/nail could puncture both the membrane and the tape? Or are you thinking this will void the warranty?

True whatever it is could push through both the roof and the eternabond, but I'll bet it's more likely that it won't even penetrate the roof.
If I was real concerned I would slice open just enough to deal with the screw which might mean just removing it and then patch it with a square of Eternabond. If you clean the area well with Acetone and then push the Eternabond down really tightly to squish it, it will probably outlast the camper.

A few years ago my Walmart carried small patches of Eternabond tape in the RV aisle, you might check at yours. It's a bit more per foot that way, but if you only need a few inches it's a much better deal than a whole $50 roll of 50 feet.

[deltabravo]

Frankly wrote:
This thing has a 12 year roof warrantee, so I will do as some say and take pictures for now and keep a close watch. It is a year old unit that never sold, and so we just purchased new.

The warantee only covers the actual membrane/roof covering, not damage it something pokes a hole through it from above or below.

[westend]

If the fastener is near an edge of the membrane, it makes a lot of sense to peel back the membrane and deal with the fastener. If the OP doesn't want to go through that work, it may be possible to force the fastener back down in the hole without cutting the membrane. If the fastener will succumb to a hammer blow without tearing the membrane, rolling the membrane back down is all that's needed. If the fastener tears the membrane when forced, a small patch of Eternabond will make everything waterproof again. IMO, it's very difficult for a screw to loosen and puncture the membrane. They tend to push the whole membrane up and the adhesive loosens in that area.

[GrandpaKip]

Exactly what does it mean to keep an eye on it? Check it once a day? Once an hour?
If it were mine, I would open it enough to figure out what it is, fix it, and eternabond it. And more than likely, forget about it until the next trip up for general inspection when I will notice the patch.

[Frankly]

If I can't get them to fix it, wouldn't it be better to cut a small slit in the membrane, fix the screw/nail, and then patch with eternabond? Otherwise it looks like the screw/nail could puncture both the membrane and the tape? Or are you thinking this will void the warranty?

[caseyhoward]

I would get on it and stay on it now....have it fixed ....if you have a leak the trailer is trashed.

[MFL]

opnspaces wrote:
If it's a 12 year roof warranty then it probably only covers the membrane breaking down and leaking. It won't cover damage from an external source like a screw or nail poking through.

If the dealer won't fix it I would do like others have said and put some squares of Eternabond tape over the bumps to help keep it waterproof.

Agree, lots of ifs/ands in that 12yr roof warranty! It makes a good selling point, but after initial RV warranty, it is not the membrane manufacturers fault if the screws backed out, making holes.

Yes, the good news, you can fix it yourself, like mentioned above, if necessary.

Jerry

[opnspaces]

If it's a 12 year roof warranty then it probably only covers the membrane breaking down and leaking. It won't cover damage from an external source like a screw or nail poking through.

If the dealer won't fix it I would do like others have said and put some squares of Eternabond tape over the bumps to help keep it waterproof.

[ctilsie242]

Seen that happen with another trailer. Solution was to clean the area, use a good solvent to get off anything, slap an Eternabond patch above the area rolling the area well to activate the adhesive, then finishing up with a clear caulk (EternaCaulk was cheap that day) so the edges wouldn't get dirty.

Don't slit the roof as I've seen people do, as it destroys a later of protection, and it doesn't take much water to destroy a rig due to rot.

[Frankly]

This thing has a 12 year roof warrantee, so I will do as some say and take pictures for now and keep a close watch. It is a year old unit that never sold, and so we just purchased new.

[chesterb]

We had this problem on a Starcraft trailer which, interestingly, was the same floor plan. It was fixed under warranty by Starcraft but it was a fight to get them to agree to fix it and it was a big job as it required the dealer to peel back part of the roof to expose the screws.

If not covered under warranty, I would have considered getting an Eternabond patch to place over the bumps now in case the screws do come through the rubber.

[downtheroad]

If the roof completely fell off your trailer - the dealer would say," this is normal."........baloney!

Normal or not, it's shouldn't be happening. You trailer is a 2016.. document it all with pictures and get it into them to ....fix it.

[MFL]

I would say normal, in that your trailer is not the only one ever having this problem. That said, many do try to repair, or get repaired, rather than find out it did poke a hole, and is leaking, especially if using, and away from home.

Watch these areas closely, it may not get worse, but if nails/screws continue to raise, they will come through.

Jerry