Community Forums

Bones · 08-10-2011, 01:31 PM

Just discovered a place on rubber roof that is soft. The roof is not leaking, we just finished logging 2000 more miles, much in heavy down pours! It seems the luan underneath the rubber just "puffed up" Anyone had this happen to them? Just got a 6200.00 quote from Newmar for a complete new roof. What to do? What could have caused this? 2004 KSDP ordered brand new. thanks for input/advice.
Jojo

"007" · 08-10-2011, 02:08 PM

Here is a link that may help.
There is some more links in Quick Tips.
As long as it is not a luan plywood seam which would be long across roof.
You need to find where the water maybe getting under the rubber roof material.
The entrance could be hidden under a sealant area that has dried out.
It could be a cut in fabric when installed and cut has opened over the years.

texnet · 08-10-2011, 02:33 PM

I would purchase some Eternabond tape and some contact cement. Then take a utility knife, contact cement and Eternabond to the roof. Cut open the area of the roof material that is "puffed up" and peel it back to inspect the area beneath. If you find that it the plywood is not damaged then put contact cement on both the roof and the plywood, let it dry until tacky then press them back together. Use the Eternabond to seal the cuts you made in the roof.

If you find damage to the plywood then you could cut out the area that is bad, replace it and then seal it back up with the old roof material and Eternabond. I did this to a travel trailer we had years ago and the roof was almost as good as new!

Mr_D · 08-10-2011, 02:33 PM

If the luan backer is soft you have or have had a leak, no other way.

srydve · 08-10-2011, 07:52 PM

I also have a 2004 ksdp, I did not buy mine new. Soft spots in the roof were identified during the inspection process and a new roof was recomended. It helped get the price down but i did not replace the roof as there were no interior signs of leaking. I believe that the the roof was at some point torn and then patched with eternabond, the rest of the roof has also been done with eternabond. I have owned it for over a year in the rainy northwest and still no evidence of leaks. My plan is to continue to monitor carefully and put off replacement for as long as possible. If I do have to take action the process to replace only the soft areas sounds like the way to go for my wallet.

Bones · 08-11-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 007";927300][B][URL="http://www.bestmaterials.com/rv_roof_repair_info.aspx

Here is a link[/URL][/B] that may help.
There is some more links in Quick Tips.
As long as it is not a luan plywood seam which would be long across roof.
You need to find where the water maybe getting under the rubber roof material.
The entrance could be hidden under a sealant area that has dried out.
It could be a cut in fabric when installed and cut has opened over the years.

Thanks for the link, lots of good info there!

Bones · 09-07-2011, 08:14 AM

Just a follow up note! I called Newmar; then talked to two different roofing experts more local in my area. All three said to stay off of it and leave the roof alone. (Note* Newmar did offer to replace entire roof for 6200.00)
One explained how inside moisture/humidity can eventually effect luan from inside without having an external leak. He did an inspection and no outside leak was found.
I will follow their advice and leave it alone.