Re-Sealing Roof

[Craig P.]

The roof sealant at the front and rear end caps of my coach needs to be removed and replaced. I went over the existing seams with Dicor two years ago, but that material is now starting to crack. I want to remove all existing material before putting down another bead. I’ve injured my back twice in the past 18 months, so this is something I can no longer do myself. My son has kindly offered to do it for me.

Laying down a bead of Dicor is easy, but how do you remove the old material without damaging the TPO roof?

Craig

["007"]

This link should help you.
May want to apply tape on roof seams after cleaning.

[LadyFitz...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007";1015873][B][URL="http://www.bestmaterials.com/rv_roof_repair_info.aspx This link[/URL][/B] should help you. May want to apply tape on roof seams after cleaning.

Darned useful link. Thanks!

[Craig P.]

007,

The link you provided seems to be for the prep and use of Eternabond tape. In my case, there is a rounded edge (lipped) trim piece where the end caps meet the roof. I'd love to be able to use Eternabond, but I don't think it will seal properly because of this rounded edge. See photo below.






Craig

["007"]

The tape comes in different widths and it would cover that rib that attachés the metal wrap to side wall, to your roof covering.
If done on warm dry day and using a wall paper roller it will form to any formation of sealant on your roof ridge.
Use a chalk line so you have a straight line down your metal wrap surface and other side of tape will be applied to roof surface.
The tape would run all around the roof metal seal rib and would cover ribs and screws holding to metal wrap, just check as your doing for loose screws and sealant if needed.
I have the same seam on roof and across the roof side to side the tape will reinforce the cross roof areas.
You can use tape around the vent & skylight openings also.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I think I would stick with caulk for that type of seam. I'm an Eternabond fan too, but it is not the best answer for everything.

That seam doesn't look bad anyway, unless some of it is loose. I'd probably just clean it up, maybe some bleach to kill that black mold, and re-caulk.

[LadyFitz...]

Eternabond's WebSeal is supposed be considerably more flexible that standard Eternabond tape so it may be better suited for conforming to the multiple convolutions of that joint.

I would just clean up the loose and rough stuff, put a good caulk (not silicone!) in any gaps to fill and smooth them out, then, after the caulk has set up a reasonable amount of time, apply either standard Eternabond tape or the WebSeal, making sure to push the tape into all depressions, etc. Once the tape has been laid down, go over it with a roller to make sure all of the adhesive has made contact and to activate it. WebSeal has to be coated after applying to protect it from UV; regular Eternabond tape does not.

[GaryKD]

Hi Craig P.,
For me, I'd clean the existing seams really well and go the EternaBond route. Follow 007's suggestions. Once in place, EternaBond is good for 10+ years.

[doublel]

As long as the EternaBond has a decent amount of seal on either side of the trim it will seal. It will also seal a pretty rough surface more than you would think. I just smooth it down all over good with my fingers. I plan on using it around the edge of my roof too.

[Mtnbiker1096]

There are a number of video links near the bottom of the page 007 linked to. Here is a link for a manufacturer installing an EPDM roof and using eternabond on the termination bar.
Manufacture EPDM roof install

[Craig P.]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtnbiker1096 There are a number of video links near the bottom of the page 007 linked to. Here is a link for a manufacturer installing an EPDM roof and using eternabond on the termination bar.

Ok, that video has me convinced...Eternabond just might work for my application after all. The trim piece in the video is very similar to what I have. We're suppose to have 80 degree weather most of this week, so I'll see if my son can get it done for me during this warm stretch.

Thanks everyone..

Craig

[LadyFitz...]

It's curious that the manufacturer of the RV didn't form the termination bar around the curve then applied Eternabond in one piece all the way. Besides a better seal, it would have looked better. I also would have used a roller on the Eternabond to make sure it bonded and to reduce or eliminate that little air gap on either side of the bar.