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Roof Caulk Leaks

Yahoo Message Number: 88683
Howdy Campers!

I did a routine inspection of the roof today. Found some funky check cracking on caulk beads around shower skylight and vent fan. Did a quick write up here:

http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=203#Post203 Just a reminder to everyone to check this stuff out. Water damage really sucks!
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Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88704
Scott,

One of your pictures appears to show the edge of the roof vent lifting. You have probably already examined this item. But, Is it possible that one or more of your fasteners has rusted or released? If so the additional caulk may be a temporary fix. I have had fasteners rust through at the shank and release their purchase on the substrate.
Just a thought.
Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88705
Daron - Thanks for your input. I can't say for sure that I'm not facing that very situation. My read is the caulk seems to be shrinking in spots. I've fixed many other spots with similar failures. Some aren't along any edges or dissimilar materials. I do try to keep an eye on these things. Next session on the roof I'll take a closer look to see if I've got a fastener problem. Nothing would surprise me. I just figured I lay this scene on the group so someone else might avoid the thousand dollar drip, drip, drip.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88712
Scott,

I went up on my roof to inspect the caulking per your suggestion. Yup! As always, you were right on. My visual inspection revealed several caulking failures that look just like your pix. The fissures in the caulking are surrounded by the tell-tale black mildew stains that indicate lingering moisture. I plan to remedy this this week as we might just get some rain here in Oregon. Duhyathink? :-).
Thanks for the heads-up on this important maintenance tip, Scott.
I hope every one is paying attention! Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure, 30226

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88731
I'll add another option to consider when doing your annual caulking checks. Be it Dicor Self Leveling or the 3M product Scott mentioned, another way to go is to do this maintenance one more time, then where appropriate, add Eternabond tape over the seams.
I usually do my inspection, clean well(Remove bad caulk as needed, and sometimes it just remains and is added to.), I use Acetone. Re-caulk with our choice of caulk. But be sure it is pliant enough to settle, like a self leveling caulk.
I then go over the seam with strip of Eternabond. It's not smooth because of the caulk bead/seam. Take the time to work out the bubbles, cutting and burping as needed. On the front edges, I also run a single light bead of caulk.
Then during yearly inspections, remove and replace this front bead of caulk as needed. I have many roof seams and leading front edges of bead on the Eternabond that have never needed to be replaced. (I did this going on 8 years ago to our Bounder roof seams, and just helped the gent that bought our Bounder replace one beaded seam on one two foot stretch of the tape. The rest are still holding up well.
Many will tell you the bead of caulk on the front edge of the Eternabond is not needed. Eternabond is amazing, as it is literally a 'one time' repair.
Now I must disclose I'm a rookie to snow country, and I know Scott has spent many a snow covered roof winter in Utah - so this sure could be a factor on the impact to the caulking, and I can not provide an opinion on how well the Eternabond will hold up in those conditions. We've been in the low to mid 20's several times, and in temps as high as 117 - and the Eternabond has held up well.

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88736
I used the Eternabond tape on my leading edge trailing edge and around my sky light. I think it's great stuff.
I first washed the roof using Mothers automotive car wash one that does NOT contain any wax. I scrubbed it using a coarse Scotch Bright pad attached to a pole sander to remove all the chalking and provide an anchor pattern. after letting it dry for three days I applied a coat of Sherwin-Williams Sher-Cryl HPA. My white streaking is gone, the Sher-Cryl is easy to apply, looks great and adheres like glue. I could not be happier with the result.
RJ

2005 Inspire #51264

Re: Roof Caulk Leaks

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 88739
Daron - Thanks for the kind words. We got tagged out so many times when we got into the whole CC full time scene. Screwed, stewed and tattooed as they say owing to our own ignorance. Mitigating that ignorance has been an ongoing challenge. Luckily I like to learn and what I learn I try to share. We hit our 6 year mark so I've learned a few things since day 1. In years to come, if we want better products from the RV industry all of us should consider taking a vehicle awareness smartening pill. As a group effort, they are easier to swallow. A few of my Allure friends have saved me HUGE amounts of aggravation with model specific tips, warnings and proactive maintenance suggestions. I appreciated those tips immensely. If you enjoy opening your checkbook and seeing hard earned money get pissed away, just wait for more mold, bulging ceilings, the smell of smoke and God knows what else.

Builders need to be motivated economically to do better. So stay in touch with your vehicle! Expect professionals to use quality materials, good design practices and stand behind their creations.
We've got a long way to go folks. Safe travels to one and all.

Best - Scott

2006 Allure 430 40' #31349

(Bus-Stead Lemon) My Allure Page http://www.muniac.com/Allure%20Page.html