Recaulking roof yearly? Dose this sound correct?

[Iggy]

The guy who did the final trailer walk around said that all the caulking on the roof should be replaced yearly. Especially the joint where the vinyl roof and the front cap attached. He said that a plastic putty knife can be used to remove the old caulking then use the special cleaner to remove any dirt etc. Then use the non leveling caulk to seal up again.

He also said that if a leak happens between the cap and roof this is not a warranty issue but a maintenance issue.

He also said this procedure should be done around all the vents, fan housings, antennas, etc.

Have you heard this statement before?
I have done preventive caulking but never removed any then reapply yearly.


What do you think. BS or feasable?

[NWJeeper]

This is entirely dependant on how well you take care of the rig and where you store it in my book. I think once a year sounds excessive and I have never heard that. That said, if you live in Arizona (which I see you do) or a similar area where the sun beats down on it constantly and you don't keep the rig under cover then it very well could need it every year. If you are in the really hot part of AZ then it doesn't matter what you do the heat is going to kill everything from your batteries to anything plastic and your caulking. For the amount of money we all spend on our rigs I highly recommend covering your RV in any way possible. No matter if it's just one of the dedicated soft RV covers, a leanto, tent or garage, by any means possible cover the rig! And don't use a tarp directly on the rig as this has been mentioned before as a no, no.

Our first rig came from Yuma and it was a mess and leaked like crazy when we got it and it was only 2 years old. Had to re-caulk everything on the roof and replace lots of plastic stuff inside. The winshield washer bottle just fell apart.

[shineysideup]

My trailer spends the winters indoors (snowy, southern Ontario). That being said, I was surprised to find that the leveling caulking was actually peeling away from itself after the first season of use in one spot around the bath vent. I found the same thing this past spring near the front cap. It was just starting but could have been an issue if I didn't find it.

I think that a thorough inspection in the spring and fall is time well spent. If you see something that needs fixing take care of it. As far as fixing something that isn't broke... what would the benefit be?

happy camping!

[Radio]

Originally Posted by shineysideup

I think that a thorough inspection in the spring and fall is time well spent.

Ours gets a thorough external cleaning twice a year. When I'm up mopping the roof all the caulking (and everything else up there) gets a serious looking at. Just past the 2 year mark and everything is fine.

[milzat]

Iggy,

While the trailer is new and clean, I'd seal all the roof seams with Eternabond.

Click here

[Iggy]

In the older link it said they contacted Forest River and they said is is not for their roof and may void your warranty. Anyone else hear that?

Where are you buying this stuff from? Camping World doesn't carry it but another brand.

I kind of like the video and pictures showing how it seals. I may consider this being my rig is new.

Lets keep talking about this. Anyone else use it on a new Rockwood vinyl roof?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Iggy

In the older link it said they contacted Forest River and they said is is not for their roof and may void your warranty. Anyone else hear that?

Where are you buying this stuff from? Camping World doesn't carry it but another brand.

I kind of like the video and pictures showing how it seals. I may consider this being my rig is new.

Lets keep talking about this. Anyone else use it on a new Rockwood vinyl roof?

Yes, that was me talking through my dealer to FR.

I plan on buying several rolls of Eternabond as soon as the budget allows. Tires for the camper and truck (plus our planned vacations of course) is all there is for this year.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Yes, that was me talking through my dealer to FR.

I plan on buying several rolls of Eternabond as soon as the budget allows. Tires for the camper and truck (plus our planned vacations of course) is all there is for this year.

Yes it is very expensive but if it works on our roofs it should be no problems for a long time.

Has anyone found any way to remove itif you have to replace a vent?
Seem like it will never come up???? Just a question.

[bsmall]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Yes it is very expensive but if it works on our roofs it should be no problems for a long time.

Has anyone found any way to remove itif you have to replace a vent?
Seem like it will never come up???? Just a question.

Great question.

[Herk7769]

RV Leak Repair Tapes & Sealants | EternaBond

Check out their double sided and 6 inch wide seam sealer rolls too.

[grandpaofthree]

As for how often to caulk, as others have said, "it depends". In my case, I neglected the roof for too long and I paid the price. The seal at the rear cap/roof joint was fairly cracked and warn away before I got to it. This caused some water damage. Amazingly all other caulking was in very good condition. My unit is in the FR factory repair shop today getting damage repaired. I have a supply of Eternabond waiting at home to be applied the minute I get it back

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by grandpaofthree

As for how often to caulk, as others have said, "it depends". In my case, I neglected the roof for too long and I paid the price. The seal at the rear cap/roof joint was fairly cracked and warn away before I got to it. This caused some water damage. Amazingly all other caulking was in very good condition. My unit is in the FR factory repair shop today getting damage repaired. I have a supply of Eternabond waiting at home to be applied the minute I get it back

Well I plan on staying on top of things and keep an eye on all the seams.
Yes the front and the rear caps seem to be where many of the leaks happen. If you have a flat roof and store your rig outside I'd raise the front when parked so the water can't puddle and will drain off during rainy season. Here in Arizona rain is not a problem but heat and sun is.

[Iggy]

Well I asked the question if you use Eternabond how can you remove it in case you must change a vent on your roof.

I contacted them and they said the following.

Service Bulletin


Subject: Removing EternaBond

How do you remove the best sealing tape in the world? Well, it is not easy, but if you follow these instructions, it is not impossible.

First, you have to determine if you really need to remove it at all. For example: if you are going to replace a skylight or vent that has been sealed with EternaBond, and after replacing the skylight or vent are going to reseal it with EternaBond, you can simply:

1. Cut through the old EternaBond tape along the edge of the old skylight or vent.
2. Remove the screws holding it down.
3. When you lift the old skylight or vent off, half of the EternaBond will be on the flange of the skylight or vent, and half will still be on the roof.
4. When you install the new skylight or vent, simply screw it down and…
5. Put a new piece of EternaBond over the first in the same place.

OR…

Second, if you have determined the EternaBond must be removed, follow these instructions:

• Using a heat gun or a hair drier, heat up 2” – 4” of the tape on one end.
• Grab a corner of the tape and pull on it. The sealant should stretch like pizza cheese.
• As you are pulling on the tape, cut the stretched EternaBond adhesive with a razor blade. Keep the blade wet with water as you are cutting.
• At this point some of the residual gray EternaBond MicroSealant adhesive will still be on the roof. Work it off using a strong solvent like lacquer thinner, acetone, or gasoline, and some elbow grease, or...
• Leave the residue in place. It will not hurt anything, and if you put new EternaBond over the old, the new MicroSealant will absorb the old MicroSealant.

Good Luck!

If you have any questions, please call toll free at 888-336-2663.

[Iggy]

I sent an email to Alpha Systems who manuf. the vinyl roof membrane on our Rockwoods. Here is her answer that its ok I guess. But she never said if it would void any warranty.

RE: Can I use this on my vinyl roof?‏
From: Monica Workman (MWorkman@alphallc.us) Sent:Mon 7/26/10 5:28 AM
Yes, the eternabond will work fine.

Monica Workman
Alpha Systems, LLC.
mworkman@alphallc.us
Phone (574) 295 - 5206
Fax (574) 970 - 2703


-----Original Message-----
To: Jay Mohamed
Subject: Can I use this on my vinyl roof?

I want to reseal around my roof vents on my Forest River Rockwood 5th
wheel. Can I use this stuff on your roof membrane?
Eternabond OneStep Miracle RV Roof Tape?

[bobsquarepants]

Anyone know of a Canadian distributor, can't seem to find one on Eternabond's site. Also is there anything simular to Eternabond that works as well?

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by milzat

Iggy,

While the trailer is new and clean, I'd seal all the roof seams with Eternabond.

Click here

Thank Mike for the link to Copperstate Roofing Supply. Funny they are located about 8 miles from my house. I plan to pick up a role this week at their warehouse.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by bobsquarepants

Anyone know of a Canadian distributor, can't seem to find one on Eternabond's site. Also is there anything simular to Eternabond that works as well?

Use this link and enter your zip code to find a local distributer.
LINK

[milzat]

Originally Posted by bobsquarepants

Anyone know of a Canadian distributor, can't seem to find one on Eternabond's site. Also is there anything similar to Eternabond that works as well?

I haven't found any place locally, that handles Eternabond, to be cheaper than On-Line. I haven't found any product similar to Eternabond. That's not to say they are out there, just haven't found any.

[bobsquarepants]

I found some locally today at a construction material place called Brock White Brock White

They had almost every size and color available. I paid $61 CDN for a 4"x50' roll...which I thought was a good price considering one local RV stealership wanted $194 for a 4"x37' roll.

[milzat]

BSP,
That's a good price buying it locally.
I bought my first 4"X50' roll at bigrocksupply.com . The second 50' roll was bought at Best Materials(the link in my first post).

Y'all do know you're going to need two 50' rolls to start with.