Community Forums

meddiver · 10-09-2016, 10:07 AM

We have a 2004 Newmar Dutchstar 4010 with a BriteTek roof (combination TPO and EPDM), and we sprung a leak somewhere last night.
We had the seams and joints stripped and replaced at Camping World in Dec. 2015. This summer we touched up some of the areas. Every 3-4 months we clean and UV protect the roof.
So besides being new and having little experience with these types of roughs I am in need of opinions. All good or bad Please!

Do we just try and find the leak and repair it?
Do a complete tear off / replacement?
Have a company like RV Armor come in and apply their product over top?

We are leaving in a week to travel across country for 3 months. We are full time RVers and newbies on topo of it.

Thank you all for your input, as I live in Washington and it rains all the time.

meddiver · 10-09-2016, 10:42 AM

One other questions, is RV Armor truly maintenance free? Do I have to apply new caulking, UV protectant, etc... I do not mind a good scrubbing once in a while, but do not want to spend this kind of money if I still have lots of maintenance to perform.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-10-2016, 05:42 PM

There is no reason at all to replace a Britetek TPO roof after just 12 years, unless it has been damaged somehow. The roof membrane isn't what leaks (unless somebody poked a hole in it). It's the seams and joints, or maybe a crack in a plastic skylight. Maybe CW nmissed a spot, or just did sloppy work. Find the leak and fix it. You can probably do it yourself.

meddiver · 10-11-2016, 08:04 AM

Thank you for the info. I have been searching and have found a possible spot that water could have entered. I will find out today when it is finally cured. I spoke with Newmar and they said that my roof is nearing its life, which I didn't understand as I do not see any damage to the roof membrane.
Thank you for the heads up.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-12-2016, 11:04 AM

Newmar is just doing a CYA, basically saying they make no promises about how much long it may last. The Britek membrane is warrantied for 12 years, but 20+ is not unusual. Britek often lasts longer than EPDM, and EPDM roofs sometimes go 25-30 years with reasonable care

BriteTEK Roof Membrane | Dicor Products | Official Website

Mike_Harriet · 10-12-2016, 11:45 AM

Bought a 2003 Dutch Star, and first month, put Eternabond tape on every seam, roof penetrations or suspect spot just as a precaution. Have a friend who owns a roofing company , and with good care the TPO roof can last 20+ yrs according to his experience. We carry two widths of Eternabond for Emergancy repairs. That stuff is awesome.

easywind · 10-15-2016, 07:26 PM

Bought something called liquid roof and paint rolled the roof after taking off all trim and vents, cleaning and using eternabond tape early this summer, motor home has not been moved since, I'm a snowbird, and the inside is dry. I'm pleased with the results but the whole process cost a day and a half in time and close to $500

harleyjt · 10-15-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by easywind

Bought something called liquid roof and paint rolled the roof after taking off all trim and vents, cleaning and using eternabond tape early this summer, motor home has not been moved since, I'm a snowbird, and the inside is dry. I'm pleased with the results but the whole process cost a day and a half in time and close to $500

That sounds cheap enough.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-16-2016, 09:51 AM

The price isn't bad, but was the coating necessary? Leaks get fixed with caulk and/or tape, not the coating. Unless the roof membrane is worn away, the coating is cosmetic.