Roof Caulking - How and how often?

[vcarbona]

I bought a brand new rock wood popup last April. I'm able to store it in my garage for the winter (I live in a suburb of Chicago). I noticed that the manual recommends re-caulking the roof annually. I'm wondering how realistic that is. To me it sounds like very tedious work for maintaining the popup. Removing the old caulk is probably the hardest thing. Maybe I don't know an easy way of doing it. So I have 2 questions:

1. Do I really have to do this annually? Or does the caulk seal realistically last longer?
2. Anybody ever tried doing this? If so, what's a good method?

Thanks in advance!

[donn]

You really should clean and inspect the roof a couple of times a year. During this cleaning/inspection is when if necessary you can recaulk.

[Triguy]

We all do it and its part of the ownership process. A pop-up is relatively easy compared to a TT or 5er so don't feel too bad. My answers are below...

Originally Posted by vcarbona

I bought a brand new rock wood popup last April. I'm able to store it in my garage for the winter (I live in a suburb of Chicago). I noticed that the manual recommends re-caulking the roof annually. I'm wondering how realistic that is. To me it sounds like very tedious work for maintaining the popup. Removing the old caulk is probably the hardest thing. Maybe I don't know an easy way of doing it. So I have 2 questions:

1. Do I really have to do this annually? Not only does the manual recommend it , but its a requirement that you maintain the roof for warranty purposes. Or does the caulk seal realistically last longer? This depends on your environment. Chicago is not exactly known for its great weather. Lots of seasonal changes, snow and cold in the winter and heat in the summer will cause it to show cracks that you must, and I mean must, touch up to avoid a small leak that may/will eventually become an expensive and major rot problem.
2. Anybody ever tried doing this? If so, what's a good method? I use either a tube of Dicor self-leveling caulk or a similar Alpha product. You can get these at your local dealer. Do not use silicone. You shouldn't have to remove the old caulk unless something is really wrong with it. Hit the search feature on this forum. Its a pretty big topic.

Thanks in advance!

[vcarbona]

Thanks for the answers. As I was doing my search, I noticed a lot of people opting to use eternabond instead of caulk. However, Most of the discussions centered on travel trailers instead of pop ups. Is it a good idea to use eternabond instead of caulk for a longer lasting seal on my popup? I'm thinking that at least I wouldn't need to re-caulk every year just inspect to ensure the seal is still good.

Btw: I have a rockwood highwall popup 2011.

[Triguy]

Do it once and your done with Eternabond. Although dealers often tell people that it can be a problem if they need to remove the stuff to repair something.

I haven't done it (yet) but its something worth considering.

[vcarbona]

Thanks for bringing out that great point. Never thought about it that way. Now that I know I don't necessarily need to remove the old caulk and given the small roof of a pop up, I'm thinking about using the caulk instead of the eternabond. I don't know what kind of repairs to expect in the future, so the little bit of labor may be justified.

Thanks again!

[capucine]

the caulking should last for several years. It is a good point that you check it regularly and maybe a few touchup sometimes. On my 2003 Flagstaff the caulking was almost new after 7 years. On a pup up there is very small chance that the caulking will separate compared to a full size trailers because there is a lots less caulking involved. This was my trailer up to 2011. The pictures were taken 2 years ago.

[Flagstaff206LTD]

Also, I was wondering what to use to seal the entire roof ? I have read that there has been some problem with small cracks forming and leaking. I have nitices several small fine cracks in mine. I found this Geocel Corp - ProFlex Brushable Sealant - 23200 - Roof Maintenance & Repair - Camping World

but wasn't sure this was the right thing to use. suppose to be clear.

Thanks for the help

[thehamguy1]

For hairline cracks in fiberglass and plastic you might try this stuff: http://www.epoxyproducts.com/capt.html. The reviews I read on it were so positive I ordered a small bottle to have on hand myself. Cap'n Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure.