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05-31-2012, 12:12 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Roof Bubbles
Hi,
As expected as I've started to go through and inspect in detail the 2009 Surveyor SP186 we just bought, I am finding some potential problems. Since I never inspected the roof before purchasing--I know, I know--finally went up there today and found some bubble areas at the back seam. Since I can find no visible sign of leakage inside the trailer, are these bubbles an issue which should be looked into further, or is it commonplace with this type of roof skin? By the way, never seen a skin like this before on top of a trailer...is this type of covering durable for the long haul?
Thanks!
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05-31-2012, 12:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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Is it a rubber roof?
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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05-31-2012, 12:32 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Yes, I believe it is: real rubbery and stretchy. Your thoughts? Thanks, Gene
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05-31-2012, 12:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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I've had rubber roofs before and they all had bubbles. Just make sure all the caulking is good and they have no cracks where water can get in.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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05-31-2012, 12:47 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Thanks, sounds normal for this type of roof. Did you use one of the commercial cleaners on the rubber roof?
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05-31-2012, 12:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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I used soap with alittle bleach. You want spay some of the rubber roof treatment on it a couple times a year.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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05-31-2012, 02:05 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Thanks again, any other input from others on how you clean and maintain a rubber roof?
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05-31-2012, 02:18 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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Your very welcome
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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05-31-2012, 02:19 PM
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papap
I used soap with alittle bleach. You want spay some of the rubber roof treatment on it a couple times a year.
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That bleach might get it looking whiter, but I wouldn't use that that on mine. 
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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05-31-2012, 02:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southwest Louisiana
Posts: 747
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I do not thing a small amount hurts anything. I have heard of people using Spic and span mop cleaner.
__________________
2016 Forester 3171DS
Work 28 and 28 around the world.
Camp every chance we get
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05-31-2012, 02:43 PM
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#11
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by papap
I have heard of people using Spic and span mop cleaner.
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That is what I use, as suggested by Alpha Systems for their EPDM roofs.
From their website Product Care & Warranty - Alpha Systems, LLC and the document under "Roof Membrane Cleaning Instructions":
Periodic cleaning (three to four times per year) is the primary maintenance required. Alpha Systems recommends using a non-abrasive household cleaner, such as Top Job or Spic-N-Span, and a medium-bristled scrub brush. Do not use any harsh or highly-abrasive products during cleaning. When finished cleaning, remember to thoroughly rinse the roof and sidewalls in order to remove any soap residue and to prevent streaking.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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07-26-2012, 07:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
That is what I use, as suggested by Alpha Systems for their EPDM roofs.
From their website Product Care & Warranty - Alpha Systems, LLC and the document under "Roof Membrane Cleaning Instructions":
Periodic cleaning (three to four times per year) is the primary maintenance required. Alpha Systems recommends using a non-abrasive household cleaner, such as Top Job or Spic-N-Span, and a medium-bristled scrub brush. Do not use any harsh or highly-abrasive products during cleaning. When finished cleaning, remember to thoroughly rinse the roof and sidewalls in order to remove any soap residue and to prevent streaking. |
Cleaned ours for the 1st time in 9 months. It wasn't that dirty but CW in New Hampshire suggested we gat at it soon to protect our investment.
I do have a few bubbles under the membrane which I don't like. 
And what appears to be a rubber chicken????? (keep it clean when you look at the pic) which I can feel and not move.
Suggestions on what to do with this?
I used a rubber roof cleaner from CW and a nylon brush.
I used a magic eraser and laundry det. on the awning
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 TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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07-26-2012, 07:41 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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Forgot the Awning pic 
And no the magic eraser did not work on getting rid of the chicken.
__________________
TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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07-26-2012, 07:49 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Independence, Kansas
Posts: 755
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I'm not recommending anyone use it but I cleaned the roof on my Cardinal once a year using a combination of laundry detergent, comet and bleach and a couple of stiff bristled brushes. Did this for years and never hurt a thing.
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07-26-2012, 01:37 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Not to be a doubting Thomas, but what is the real, functional reason for keeping the rubberized roof clean? Does a bit of dirt harm the roof? And by the way, my understanding is that bubbles are normal with EDPM roofs. Out.
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07-26-2012, 02:08 PM
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#16
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
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A clean roof reduces the amount of black streaking down the sides of the camper and it's something else for us anal retentive campers to do!
Dave
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Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
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07-26-2012, 02:38 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 93
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Hey Dave,
Very funny. I'm just too lazy and my wife loves me anyway despite a dirty camper! Hope to see you on the road one day.
RM Drifter
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10-05-2012, 01:40 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 881
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Not to re-open an old thread, but wandered in looking for roof cleaning tips.
One day, I will invest in a truck with a built in scafold, long handled brushes and pressure washer (set on stun) and go from campground to campground cleaning roofs for $2.99/linear foot. I'll add an ice-cream truck bell to get attention.
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2011 PrimeTime Tracer 2600rls
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