roof sealing recommendations?

padraig1066 · 03-16-2010, 10:55 PM

Hi folks,

Got an '86 Elandan that has several leaks. Previous owner did a poor job of resealing the side and back seams, and I have a leak around the rear roof air unit as well. Maybe one or two more places. It sat in outside storage in northern VA during the winter, and I walked in to quite a bit of water damage inside in the bedroom and just forward of that.

I've seen several people suggest EternaSeam for side seam sealing, but what about around the air unit and any other places that look like it needs it?

Also (showing my ignorance here), what about the center roof seam? It has no sealer, tape, caulk, anything on it the length of the RV. Should it be sealed in some way as well?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. I'm headed back around the first of April for a combination getaway trip to a campground and work on the unit.

Chuck 1935 · 03-17-2010, 10:53 PM

The stuff your talking about is ETERNABOND and is great for seams, endcaps and such. Vents and small areas around antennas can be sealed with products like DICOR. It comes as self leveling for flat surfaces and firm for off level places.

mfire1339 · 03-17-2010, 11:11 PM

Leak at A/C is most likely the gasket being loose. Remove inside bezel and tighten the (4) nuts just snug.

Mike

padraig1066 · 03-18-2010, 11:32 AM

Fantastic, guys! That's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks VERY much!

padraig1066 · 03-23-2010, 05:51 PM

Oh, one more question on this...what about the center seam of the roof? It's seamed for most of the length of the RV and it looks like it's never been sealed. Which makes me think that maybe, for some reason, isn't supposed to be sealed. Should it be?

cat62 · 05-11-2011, 07:30 AM

Thanks...I have the same problem with a used camper I just purchased and the side seam on the cab bed leaks and water pools on the plywood...will try these suggestions as well.
Thank you,
Cat62

Senior Chief · 05-11-2011, 07:46 AM

Scrape off any loose, old caulk. If tightly stuck on, you can leave it; EternaBond will go over most any solid surface.

After a thorough cleaning of the roof with TSP or other heavy-duty cleaner, tape EVERY visible seam and edge and flaw with EternaBond. Use a small wooden or metal roller to mash the tape down to get really good adhesion. (application tip; put the roll of EternaBond in the freezer for 20 minutes before using. It unrolls better if cool)

In spots where the tape won't work (like around vent pipes) and over the top of any exposed screws or bolts, use a Dicor or C-10 self-leveling sealant.

Then, with the roof still clean and dry, cover the entire roof surface with 2 coats of an elastomeric roof coating like Kool Seal or Snow Roof.

If you have applied everything with care, this will give you a leak-free roof that will last many years.

Senior Chief · 05-11-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padraig1066

Oh, one more question on this...what about the center seam of the roof? It's seamed for most of the length of the RV and it looks like it's never been sealed. Which makes me think that maybe, for some reason, isn't supposed to be sealed. Should it be?

This seam probably had some sort of internal caulk, but it WAS sealed in some way originally. Water can and will and DOES penetrate any possible opening.

It would be perfectly safe to use EternaBond over this seam; EB will stay flexible basically forever, so even if this seam needs to move and flex, your tape will move with it and remain secure.

Senior Chief · 05-11-2011, 07:55 AM

One more thing; do not caulk or tape around your air conditioner. The only sealing required is the 14" by 14" foam gasket which seals the AC unit to the roof: this needs to be tightened from the 1" original thickness to about 1/2" thickness to seal properly.

If necessary, this gasket can be replaced DIY with a new one from PPL or any RV parts house.