Preventative roof maintenance ?

[Ccoe1]

Is there a product that you can apply to the lap sealant on the roof to help prevent if from cracking from uv rays and weather?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Not that I am aware of, though  Heaven knows there is no shortage of dubious claims for RV products of all sorts.

I don't want to belittle the need for an annual roof check-up, but really, there is no need to over-think this. Cracks in any sort of caulking are normal as it dries and shrinks and are to be expected.  Deep fissures or an area where the caulk is coming loose form the roof surface are reason for action, but the myriad of minor "hair-line" cracks are simply a fact of life and not something to lose sleep over.

Videos on YouTube are often provided by RV dealers or repair services. They tend to be ultra-conservative - they want you to buy roof maintenance at least annually.  They will tell you to run to the dealership at the first sign of a crack.  My experience is that a roof seal often is good for 3-5 years when new and can go a couple years between actual repairs. However, you won't know when it's time for a touch-up unless you check on a regular basis.

 

[John From Detroit]

Sweep Mop with Spic and Span or other quality kitchen floor product. inspect and re-caulk as indicated.

 

[irishtom29]

I think a prevented roof needs no maintainance.

 

[House Husband]

There is a way to stop sealant cracking but it takes a lot of work. Dicor sealant has been a on going cracking problem since its introduction.
I removed the Dicor from my EPDM roof several years ago and applied Sikiflex 715. So far no cracking or leaks.
Remove the old Dicor and replace with Sikiflex 715. Read the .PDF. I think you'll be impressed.

https://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument.get/baad501f-0664-3aab-a44a-631098b757b8/Sikaflex715_Repair%20Brochure.pdf

Richard

 

[Chakara]

Interesting - I hadn't heard of Sikiflex but now will look into it.  I was figuring in a few years when my Dichor is due for replacement I was going to use Eternabond.  I've done this on other trailers with good results.  But, if this stuff is durable it may be an even better solution.....

Dang it, more research

-Chak

 

[Ccoe1]

The sikiflex looks pretty good, I am going to look into that a little further.  I have a brand new travel trailer and was looking for an alternative to the crappy dicor or a sealant to apply to the dicor to help the longevity of it. 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

House Husband makes a good point - the Dicor product that most everybody uses is notorious for cracking. Alpha Systems is the other major RV rubber & TPO source and they also make a self-leveling lap sealant.  Not sure if its more crack-resistant or not, but it's an alternative.  https://www.walmart.com/ip/Alpha-System-N102101T-Self-Level-Sealant-44-White/145508094

Sika is a manufacturer of dozens of different sealers and caulks - it's what they do. They make several self-leveling sealants but make sure you get one that is compatible with your roof material, e.g. EPDM or fiberglass or whatever. Sika is better known for their sealants for glass, metal, and concrete, but they do others as well.


Some stores carry a self-leveling roof product called Toughgrade, but it's primarily for metal, vinyl and fiberglass roofs. Not recommended for EPDM rubber.

 

[Gizmo]

The sikiflex looks pretty good, I am going to look into that a little further.  I have a brand new travel trailer and was looking for an alternative to the crappy dicor or a sealant to apply to the dicor to help the longevity of it.

Sikaflex is indeed a very good product and from what I understand is used by many RV manufacturers and repair professionals.  As Gary said, no need to over think  cracks which are normal.  Some people have applied Eternabond tape over the sealant around roof structures.  I have not gone that route on any of the RV's I have owned, opting instead for regular inspection of the roof.  I use regular cleaning off our solar panels as an opportunity to do inspections and I try to clean the roof at least once if not twice per year. 

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

A word or two about this "roof inspection" business. It's not complicated and doesn't bear overthinking either.  Just get up there and look around, paying more than just casual attention to the caulked seams and joints. Ideally after washing the roof, so the dirt is gone and the caulk more visible. If you have a tube of lap sealant in the dispenser gun, you can touch up any doubtful place at the same time.  99.9% of the time we are talking about 15-20 minutes and no really skilled techniques.

If you aren't comfortable getting up on the roof and eyeballing it, and don't have a pal to help out, you are stuck paying an RV shop tech. They are going to charge you for all the labor, e.g. carrying out a ladder, bringing a tube of sealant, etc. Plus shop overhead (the service advisor, invoicing, etc), That 20 minute job expands a lot, so don't be surprised if they want a couple $hundreds or more.  An alternative may be a neighborhood handyman, especially in an area where there are mobile homes.  There are often reasonably skilled guys with a ladder and caulking gun available and who would be willing to do it for $75..

 

[Ccoe1]

I do inspect the roof before it goes into storage and when it comes out.  Its under roof in the off season.  UV and weather is torture on these roofs, I was just looking for a barrier of some sort to apply to prolong the life of the sealant.

 

[KandT-THOR]

Is there a product that you can apply to the lap sealant on the roof to help prevent if from cracking from uv rays and weather?

Yes.  It is a building that you store the RV in.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Some people paint an elastomeric roof coating over it, the same stuff you would use to coat a worn rubber roof. It suffers from the heat & UV but helps protect the sealant underneath.  It's still going to need repair at some point, though, and when the time comes you have two layers to deal with.

 

[joester]

Not an answer to the OP question, but still within the topic of the subject - preventative roof maintenance. We had our EPDM roof replaced 7 years ago, and early this week I went up top to clean and treat the roof. We live near Phoenix, and our Tioga sits in full sun, all day, everyday. I was recommended a cleaner treatment from someone here years ago, and we still use it each spring and sometimes fall. Bio Kleen RV Roof Cleaner and Protectant. I hose roof down, then using a soft brush, scrub with just water first, then rinse again. Then I pour a little of the Bio Kleen on the roof, and give it another scrub. I usually work in about a 3' square area. The Bio Kleen brings up a bit of foaming action during the scrubbing, but rinses off well. The roof gets a squeaky clean slippery feel to it, so I have to be careful while working up there. After 7 years, the EPDM seems to be holding up well. Thought I'd mention it after seeing the subject. Can't wait to go fishing sometime soon. Stay safe, stay home, stay healthy.

 

[Ccoe1]

Yes.  It is a building that you store the RV in.

Yes, the wife and I have been talking about putting a pole barn up.  It definitely will be big enough to house a fifth wheel if we ever go that route.