Possible terminus bar leak.

[rvethereyet]

2003 Dutch Star. Still have a leaky roof. (2 inches in a five gallon bucket from about an inch of rain) Just had the roof caulked by local shop. Originally I thought roof was leaking through ac. Had both ac's resealed and recaulked. Still the roof is leaking...bad. Today we found a paper thin opening on the outside edge of the terminus bar.(Which was not re caulked) Can this be the intrusion point for that much water. I thought there was butal tape to prevent leaks from happening.

Called newmar and asked them what would be the best caulk to use on the terminus bars. At first CS said dicor. Then I told them it had silicone caulk, then he back tracked his story and insisted on silicone because dicor would run down the side of the MH. I have seen several re caulks on youtube using dicor . What say you.

Any other thoughts on where to where leaks coming from?

Plan on re caulking myself. Shop wants another $800 to re caulk terminus bar around the entire MH.

Lastly do any of you have any suggestions on the easy way to get rid of the old silicone caulk?
Thanks

[DJJ]

Google Sealtech machine, some Camping Worlds have them, though CW would not be my first choice. CW only charged me an hour of labor to check my coach for leaks.

Jeff

[Wayne M]

Much more years ahead of you with a 2015 be we had a leak around the AC. Repair person in Mayo, FL, (twice) then one in Kissimmee, FL. Finally Master Tech RC in Elkhart, IN. First one put calking under the neoprene gasket. it melted. One took the AC off and found that the gasket was only a little bit on the edge of the opening and re-seated the gasket and AC. Still leaked but not as much as yours is.

We have 3 AC's so finally in Elkhart we had all three gaskets replaced. No need for calking. The technician stated that when he was climbing up the ladder and his head cleared the edge he saw a gap under the seal big enough to slide a ruler under. Anyhow, he replaced the gaskets and cinched up the roof to the AC and we have been in some heavy rains since and all is well.


Silicone does not stick to some materials but with the proper AC gasket I don't believe you have to calk. However times are different since 2003.

[rvethereyet]

Wayne thanks so much with your reply. I was not clear as what was caulked. The bolts to the ac were caulked, and everything else up on the roof. The gasket was not.

I was very disappointed after having all the sealing work done and it was still leaking.

[Forkyfork]

Silicone is absolutely the worst substance to use on the exterior of an RV.

They make a Dicor that is not self leveling and works like a regular caulk. also there are many other options other than silicone. Proflex is one of them.

[wimpy]

Could someone explain what the "terminus bar" is? Google & Bing both failed me.

Has anyone used VHB tape as a sealant & with what results?

[ThePowells]

Originally Posted by wimpy

Could someone explain what the "terminus bar" is? Google & Bing both failed me.

Has anyone used VHB tape as a sealant & with what results?

Beyond terminus being "the end", I don't have a clue either, but I wasn't gonna admit to it.

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by wimpy

Could someone explain what the "terminus bar" is? Google & Bing both failed me.

Has anyone used VHB tape as a sealant & with what results?

Terminus bar is a flat bar (kind of) that is used to finish off/connect the edges of the roofing material to the coach with the use of screws.

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by Forkyfork

Silicone is absolutely the worst substance to use on the exterior of an RV.

They make a Dicor that is not self leveling and works like a regular caulk. also there are many other options other than silicone. Proflex is one of them.

This is what I have been told by everyone except newmar. If I seal with dicor I will have to remove all silicone which is very time consuming, Plus it will expose the mh to the elements.

I have thought about and have seen eternabond tape for sealing off the terminus bar. If I use eternabond tape I would not have to remove the silicone,

[rvethereyet]

Originally Posted by DJJ

Google Sealtech machine, some Camping Worlds have them, though CW would not be my first choice. CW only charged me an hour of labor to check my coach for leaks.

Jeff

WOw this looks like what I need. Did know there was such a thing. Thanks

[Forkyfork]

Originally Posted by rvethereyet

This is what I have been told by everyone except newmar. If I seal with dicor I will have to remove all silicone which is very time consuming, Plus it will expose the mh to the elements.

I have thought about and have seen eternabond tape for sealing off the terminus bar. If I use eternabond tape I would not have to remove the silicone,

You have to remove all the silicone regardless. NOTHING sticks to silicone including silicone and eternabond.

If someone tells you they can use silicone and not have to remove it you need to find another place to do the work.

[Buly]

In my previous life I did yacht service for a manufacturer. Most of the hatches installed by the factory, leaked soon or later. They were all seated with bead of silicone. My solution was to remove the whole frame, scrape the silicone, and install with rope caulk ribbon. It fills any gaps and will not allow water in.

[Forkyfork]

I prefer Dicor butyl tape. Its stickier than rope caulk. Ive been meaning to try it to see how it was against silicone but haven't tried it yet.

[JohnRR]

I used the Ertnabond tape on my roof almost 1 1/2 years ago as preventative maintenance and it really sticks and when covering silicone areas no water will get past it.

It was well worth the expense of doing it.

Originally Posted by JohnRR

Time for preventative roof maintenance the lower side sealant was so minimal I deceided to use Ertrnabond tape there and on as many of the seams as possible

If you click the gray arrow it will take you to the write up and a few pictures.