Roof leak

Burchie70 · 03-24-2019, 01:42 PM

Just checked my camper now that the snow is all off and I have a small leak from the bathroom vent fan. I pulled the inside trim off and dried everything that was wet. I went on the roof and two corners on the vent cover are leaking where the flange sits on the roof. I can see where the factory rubber sealant is cracked. What is the best and longest lasting sealant you guys have used and suggest?
Thanks for any help

Rustic Eagle · 03-24-2019, 02:23 PM

Dicor "self-leveling" lap sealant is the standard go-to product for RV roof caulking applications.

Dicor: https://dicorproducts.com/product/epdm-lap-sealants/

Some have gone a step further and used Eternabond sealer tape which is a great product as well. Common widths used are 4" and 6".

Eternabond:https://www.bestmaterials.com/Eternabond.aspx

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-24-2019, 02:31 PM

Thanks Rustic Eagle, would I use both products on the crack or can I just use the Eternabond tape by itself? I haven’t had a chance to research either product yet

Rustic Eagle · 03-24-2019, 02:39 PM

Either product can be used separately. I use the Dicor product for all my vent, skylight, stink pipe, etc., caulking touchup when required (check spring/fall)....., easy to use. In the event I have to replace any vents, skylight, etc., the Dicor is easier to work with then removing the Eternabond sealer tape.

However, I have applied the Enternabond sealer tape on my TT's front cap/roof seam and slide roof seam joint in lieu of the Dicor touchup...., I applied the Eternabond right over the existing OEM caulk. The Eternabond solution will last longer and doesn't require any PM.

My Eternabond application: Post #8 & #58 here:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-51005-14.html

I do keep some spare Eternabond in my TT for those 'just-in-case' emergency EPDM roof repairs.

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-24-2019, 03:11 PM

I looked at your posts and the seam looks good with the tape. I may just get the 4” eternabond tape. I’ll put silicone in the crack and go over it with the tape. Did you use the EternaBond 801.1415 EC-1 EternaClean Spray they sell and suggest using prior to the tape ?

Jopopsy · 03-24-2019, 04:08 PM

Can you put Eternabond on the textured popcorn roof for those of us with fiberglass? I’m concerned the texture will not allow a good seal.

wags999 · 03-24-2019, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchie70

I looked at your posts and the seam looks good with the tape. I may just get the 4” eternabond tape. I’ll put silicone in the crack and go over it with the tape. Did you use the EternaBond 801.1415 EC-1 EternaClean Spray they sell and suggest using prior to the tape ?

I would stay away from silicone any place. Not sure eterna bond will stick to the silicone either. As said above, Dicor self leveling on the roof and than QSIP Quad on vertical surfaces.

Good Luck.

Jopopsy · 03-24-2019, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags999

I would stay away from silicone any place. Not sure eterna bond will stick to the silicone either. As said above, Dicor self leveling on the roof and than QSIP Quad on vertical surfaces.

Good Luck.

Amazon link?

**norty1** · 03-24-2019, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchie70

I looked at your posts and the seam looks good with the tape. I may just get the 4” eternabond tape. I’ll put silicone in the crack and go over it with the tape. Did you use the EternaBond 801.1415 EC-1 EternaClean Spray they sell and suggest using prior to the tape ?

Last Eternabond purchase I made, I added a can of spray cleaner. It worked well, use sparingly. I have also used Acetone liquid.

Rustic Eagle · 03-24-2019, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchie70

snip...... I’ll put silicone in the crack and go over it with the tape. Did you use the EternaBond 801.1415 EC-1 EternaClean Spray they sell and suggest using prior to the tape ?

I tend to stay away from silicone products on the roof.

As far as surface prep, I usually start out with a good Dawn soapy wash with a brush/cloth, rinse, and let dry. After washing, and prior to applying the Enternabond sealer tape I've normally used lacquer thinner applied sparingly to a clean rag wiping over the roof/cap surface following immediately with a clean damp (water) cloth....., let the surface dry. As mentioned the Eternabond prep product is fine as well.

Don't forget, a good roller is required to activate the sealer tape adhesive.

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-24-2019, 08:50 PM

Thanks Rustic Eagle, I ended up ordering a tube of the lap sealant, 4”x50’ Enternabond tape, spray cleaner and a 3” rubber roller. I figure I can use the tape on the crack I have and the lap sealant I’ll hold onto and check the roof periodically for screw heads or other blemishes

Rustic Eagle · 03-24-2019, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchie70

snip...... 4”x50’ Enternabond tape, spray cleaner and a 3” rubber roller. I figure I can use the tape on the crack......snip[

If you plan to tape over the existing OEM caulk at the roof/cap joints, you want to make sure the Eternabond tape extends beyond the 'width' of the caulking thus making good surface contact with the roof and cap surfaces. Depending on how much caulking Jayco applied, it may take two strips of the 4" wide tape (overlap one over the other at least 1").

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-24-2019, 09:24 PM

Ok I know what your saying. The materials I ordered won’t be here till Thursday so maybe I’ll take a couple pictures of what I’m dealing with and post them here.
Thanks again

Burchie70 · 03-29-2019, 09:25 AM

I didn’t have a chance to post pictures of the cracks around the bathroom fan because we had rain coming and I wanted to get everything sealed up with the lap sealant before that. I got the vent and all the screws that were exposed covered with lap sealant but while I was up there I noticed the shower skylight had 2 small cracks in it so I applies lap sealant to those as well. The 5th wheel is just shy of two years old and I can’t believe the skylight is cracked already. Will the sealant last on those cracks or should I order a new skylight to replace it with ? How do I remove the old lap sealant without damaging the roofing material? Also where is the best place to order a skylight that is most durable and will last the longest? And one other thing I noticed is where the roofing material rolls over the edge and the metal track secures it to the sidewall it looks like they used silicone along the top side of the rail and it’s peeling away. Should I use regular silicone to reseal it or is there something that will last longer ? Sorry for all the questions but I appreciate the help
Steve

Rustic Eagle · 03-29-2019, 12:11 PM

Steve,

I would replace the damaged skylight, IMO the sealant is just a temporary fix. The crack(s) may have originated from the factory, not uncommon for those screw guns to over tighten the screws...., then there is the occasional hail storm or tree branch.

Most OEM skylights are made of an acrylic material (yellows/gets brittle over time), a better replacement choice would be a skylight made of a polycarbonate, more durable.

One source: https://www.icondirect.com/skylights/

I've used a heated hair blow dryer (not a heat gun, to hot) at times to remove stubborn caulk and sealer tape from EPDM, then carefully remove the caulk by hand or a plastic/metal putty knife. Best to expose the screw heads first, remove, then carefully work a putty knife under the skylight flange.

Ideally a skylight with a 'flat' outer mounting flange reduces the chance of cracking the material when installing the screws. Skylights with a mounting flange with an outer 'lip' I applied one inch wide Butyl sealer tape under the flange so when tightening the screws it doesn't stress the plastic flange.

Don't use a silicone caulk on the EPDM roofing material, remove the existing compromised caulk where needed and apply some Dicor Non-Sag Lap Sealant. The objective is to keep moisture from getting behind that metal mounting rail..., otherwise the moisture will find the mounting screws and work its way inward.

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-29-2019, 01:51 PM

Thanks Rustic Eagle, Both cracks are coming from a screw location so it may have been cracked for awhile. I measured my skylight and it’s roughly 17-3/4”x25-5/8” with 1-1/4” flat flange. The website you gave me has a 18”x26” skylight which I would assume will work fine. Just need to order the tape and non sagging lap sealant and better weather for changing it.

Rustic Eagle · 03-29-2019, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

snip....... Skylights with a mounting flange with an outer 'lip' I applied one inch wide Butyl sealer tape under the flange so when tightening the screws it doesn't stress the plastic flange.

Above should read "Butyl putty tape"

Bob

Burchie70 · 03-29-2019, 03:02 PM

Ok that’s what I thought thanks again

TCNashville · 03-29-2019, 04:14 PM

Burchie, when you apply the Eternabond tape make sure you don't stretch it!

Burchie70 · 05-12-2019, 08:57 AM

I finally got nice enough weather to change my skylight and it came out fine. While I was up on the roof I noticed the Eternabond tape on the slide out roof was starting to peel and buckle up in a few spots. It’s where the EPDM roofing meets the backside of the flange. I’m going to be installing slide out awnings soon but I want to repair the tape before I install them. Should I remove the Eternabond tape across the whole length of the seam or can I just put it over the top of the sections that are buckled? I would overlap the old tape by at least an inch. Also if I should remove the old tape how do I go about removing it ? Thank you

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