Roof Leak Help

[Bogie]

Well another weekend in the RV, and another problem. After sitting through a deluge for a few days, when I was packing up the RV I found some moisture. I had noticed the moisture damage before but thought it was from the original owner as I never found moisture there, even after rain. This weekend we were stuck in the rain all weekend and it was pretty evident.

This also explains why I can't get that plastic strip to stick either.

Here is the moisture:


So I went up on the roof and could not find any obvious area where it would be leaking. So I started pressing on the sealant and it looks like it is cracking? For the time being I just put some packing tape over it to try and keep water from seeping in there, but could this be the problem? How do I fix? Can I just buy some more sealer and goop it on there? Or do I need to start stripping it down (that seems like a lot of work and I hate heights lol).

Here are some cracks:

[lazinskm]

Enernabond everything. From everything I’ve heard and here Daycor only lasts a year or two and everybody raves about the eternabond tape.

[Bob Denman]

Are those cracks in the roof: or in the sealant that they used?
If it's just in the sealant: I'd grab some tubes of Di-Cor, and a caulking gun...
More than that; I'd be lost!

Good luck; please let us know what it takes, to keep the outside... outside!

[JamieGeek]

Yeah as a stop-gap grab some di-cor and a caulk gun and go to town on the roof.

Eternabond would last longer but if you're not familiar with it I'd just di-cor stuff.

Alternatively you could stand up there with a hose with someone inside.

[Bogie]

Yeah it is just cracks in the sealant, not the actual roof.

[Bob Denman]

That's a GOOD thing!
But you should probably let a "Pro" take a look at what's going on up there...

[The Gritz Carlton]

And...YES...remove all the old material, clean surface well, then re seal. Don't try to seal around the old stuff. As Bob stated...I would have an RV service person do it.

[Fish and Dear]

Here's what I did...When we bought the new unit part of my "test drive" was to a truck wash not too far away. Went through there and the volume of water is like any thunderstorm you will encounter. I saw 3 drops of water on the floor. Who knows...were the vents closed tightly?

I got on the roof and found what I consider less than diligent sealing. Had them correct that.

I get on the rook often and just inspect. If I see cracks or flaws I hit it with Flex Seal. I also take it to Camping World annually for their roof inspection. If you don't do that they will negate the warranty. They have never mentioned nor documented my Flex Seal touch ups.

I see you bought your's used, but still...try the Flex Seal and see what happens.

[Bogie]

Some good options here. Thanks all. The other maintenance problems I had didn't bother me too much, it was just stuff I could fix when I had the time. This one scares me, as I have had flooded basements before so I know water is the great destroyer.

[Bogie]

Well.. since we bought the RV used, called a place that is near my house and will probably take it there. Probably going to cost us our fun money for the next year or two, but figure we'll get it checked out proper first and then I can just do maintenance in the future.

[Bob Denman]

But once it's right: you'll be :"good to go", for a pretty long time!

[lazinskm]

Before you spend a bunch of money at the dealer just take a look at this... Eternabond is very easy to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spdYGUtZVcU

[Bogie]

This is what I get for going to "Pros" a local place that does Truck and RV repair. They claim that it is not silicone, but a special glue but when pressed won't tell me the name of the product.

[The Gritz Carlton]

I can't handle those 15 minute videos where the guy needs to explain what glass cleaner is for.

[lazinskm]

Huh, I haven't been around long enough on this forum to have a clue. What is the consistency like of the material? Silicone is pretty distinctive....

[Bogie]

Feels rubbery like silicone to me.

[Bob Denman]

If it's not DiCor: it's probably a pretty darn close equivalent!

[Bogie]

It pulled right off in one easy strip, didn't even leave behind a residue. Took it back and showed them they said they would make it right, but more damage was probably done since it has been raining heavy for two days.

[Mcscocon]

Get the 4 inch wide Eternabond tape and plan to spend the time to do it right. Removing all old sealants isn't going to happen easily so if you decide to sand, scrape and it off consider what damage you may do. Also before you apply the EB tape, use the Eternabond cleaner to clean the surface before taping. This stuff is amazing and easy to work with. It has a broad range for application temperatures; I prefer a cooler day, it reduces the tape stickiness and is easier to handle. The four inch wide recommendation comes from wanting to cover the materials join from the original manufacturer and the various sealants used by others. It leaves a nice finished seam. Use a wall paper hanging roller to complete the install...

Enjoy

[lazinskm]

I used 6 inch for cap seams and 4 inch for other areas. No need to take off old sealant just make sure it gets beyond the edges to the Dicor. Clean all well. Took my wife and I about 2.5 hours.