Roof membrane bubbling after lap sealant

Demann · 03-09-2021, 11:22 AM

So, I put up my solar panels yesterday! I put on my gland with just lap sealant. Maybe not the best choice, but it seemed ok... That evening, I noticed that the rubber roof membrane was puffing up a lot around the gland. In the morning, it was not improved. The lap sealant had not cured yet, so in a moment of stress and anxiety I removed the gland to see if I could do something. Afterwards, I found some posts online saying that this puffing up was normal, and would settle. But now I have a mess. Wondering what I should do next. Any sound advice would be sooooo appreciated. Should I let it dry at this point, or try to stick it back down while it is still wet??
Please no admonishments. I am beating myself up enough about it already.
Thanks in advance.

Grumpy · 03-09-2021, 11:51 AM

What brand sealant?

Demann · 03-09-2021, 11:59 AM

Divot self-leveling lap sealant

Demann · 03-09-2021, 12:00 PM

Dicor

Marcm157 · 03-09-2021, 12:10 PM

If it were me, I would use a PLASTIC scraper and remove as much of the "wet" Dicor as possible to get the surface clean again and start over.

mokurt · 03-09-2021, 01:03 PM

It's obvious that the sealant was not compatible with the roof material.
If you scrap off the affected area then reapply it may do the same thing again to the surrounding roof material.

Demann · 03-09-2021, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcm157

If it were me, I would use a PLASTIC scraper and remove as much of the "wet" Dicor as possible to get the surface clean again and start over.

Thanks Marcm157. I did just that. What a mess. I ran out of the lap sealant. Can't get any more, because I live on a small island. I think it's waterproof. I wonder if that puffiness will improve...

Demann · 03-09-2021, 01:24 PM

Sometimes this rv stuff is really stressful...

Demann · 03-09-2021, 02:04 PM

As always, thanks for all your comments!

Demann · 03-09-2021, 02:47 PM

For anyone who is interested, I think I figured out what I did wrong. I used mineral spirits to clean the roof first. apparently this can cause the rubber to swell.

mokurt · 03-09-2021, 04:57 PM

Now we know!

**Crabman** · 03-09-2021, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demann

For anyone who is interested, I think I figured out what I did wrong. I used mineral spirits to clean the roof first. apparently this can cause the rubber to swell.

That will do it. Is it returning to normal now after you cleaned the area again?

Demann · 03-09-2021, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crabman

That will do it. Is it returning to normal now after you cleaned the area again?

Not yet. Apparently it can take some time. I also read on Docor's website that their lap sealant has petroleum distillates in it that can cause the membrane to swell and bubble, which does not resolve until the Dicor is fully cured.

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