Community Forums

WVPete · 12-14-2018, 08:14 AM

I was on the roof yesterday dealing with an icing heat pump and I noticed what appears to be separation between my rubber roof and the substrate. It seems that the rubber is loose in places and raises up a bit. I am wondering how serious this is and how to remedy the situation. I do not appear to have any leaks or soft spots, that I can tell!!

Any ideas?
Thanks,
Pete

GaryKD · 12-14-2018, 11:04 AM

Hi WVPete,

Your coach came with a Brite-Tek or fiberglass roof not rubber. Without pictures it is difficult to provide advice. However, if you want to seal the places the roof is coming up, go to https://www.eternabond.com/RV-Leak-R...ducts-s/22.htm and read about Eterna Bond.

WVPete · 12-15-2018, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD

Hi WVPete,

Your coach came with a Brite-Tek or fiberglass roof not rubber. Without pictures it is difficult to provide advice. However, if you want to seal the places the roof is coming up, go to https://www.eternabond.com/RV-Leak-R...ducts-s/22.htm and read about Eterna Bond.

Thanks Gary. I am guessing it is the Brite-Tek. It is very white and has pebbled and smooth areas on it. In the past, I removed and replaced the eternabond tape between the roof material and the end caps. The roof is not peeling or anything, just moves up and down. I'll look at the link above to see if there is anything helpful.
I suspect I will have to contact Newmar to see what they have to say. I sense another big project next summer!
Pete

ftiernay · 12-15-2018, 05:39 AM

My friend is going through something that sounds similar to what you described.
His A/C gaskets were leaking that resulted in substrate rot & roof TPO delamination.
Coach manufacturer quoted him $20k to repair/replace.
We have a local guy who removed/replaced the rotted wood, put in new A/C gaskets and patched the TPO for a fraction of the replacement cost.
He didn't have any issues with the roof being patched.
Good luck

FatChance · 12-15-2018, 08:56 AM

Newmar fiberglass roofs of your DSDP's vintage are mostly smooth with stippled areas around the perimeter for traction while walking on the roof. The fiberglass roof is only attached around the edges so it "floats" over the roof substrate. It is not glued to the plywood substrate so it can evenly expand when hot and contract when cold and not crack. Since the fiberglass roof is not bonded to the substrate and is less than 1/4" thick, it has some "give" when you walk on it. This is completely normal and is the way it is supposed to be. That is exactly the way our 2004 MADP's fiberglass roof is.

Newmar can verify if your DSDP came with the optional fiberglass roof. I bet it did based on your description.

"007" · 12-15-2018, 09:29 AM

The E-BOND Tape will make for a better seal on end caps and roof edges stainless steel strips than just sealant.
All about roofs. #1 --- #2 --- #3

WVPete · 12-16-2018, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatChance

Newmar fiberglass roofs of your DSDP's vintage are mostly smooth with stippled areas around the perimeter for traction while walking on the roof. The fiberglass roof is only attached around the edges so it "floats" over the roof substrate. It is not glued to the plywood substrate so it can evenly expand when hot and contract when cold and not crack. Since the fiberglass roof is not bonded to the substrate and is less than 1/4" thick, it has some "give" when you walk on it. This is completely normal and is the way it is supposed to be. That is exactly the way our 2004 MADP's fiberglass roof is.

Newmar can verify if your DSDP came with the optional fiberglass roof. I bet it did based on your description.

Oh!!! wouldn't that be nice! I will check with Newmar and see. Thanks for all the information.

And 007, I agree about the eternabond tape. That is what I put on the end caps. I'm actually thinking of removing all the caulk around some of the fixtures up there like the sky light and covering the seam with eternabond tape. It seems more durable and a better seal.