Big Sky Roof repair

[Exnavydiver]

After finding the leak area we removed all the sealant and caulk using plastic putty knives and alcohol. We then removed the metal transition strip and unscrewed the trip strip over the rain gutters on both sides back about 24 inches. We pulled the rubber out from under the front cap and found that in some areas less than 1/8th inch of rubber was under it. In 2011 while at the rally the service center took our rig in for a check for frame flex and pulled the front cap and the overhang underside. Evidently when they reinstalled the front cap they mounted almost an inch forward from the original position. Since the rubber membrane was only about 1 1/4 inches under the front cap lip some of the rubber was not secured as soundly as it should have been. Sometime in the last 19 to 20 months the rubber flexed enough to pull lose from the unsecured areas and start to bag when the rig was traveling at speed. This allowed further loosening of the membrane and soon the sealant tore loose and allowed water intrusion. Had we not found this when we did I am sure we would have had some rot starting in the roof. We easily folded back 20 inches of the membrane onto the roof. This area required re-gluing. We used a thin napped paint roller to reapply the wood to rubber adhesive. we immediately stretched and rolled the membrane back down and tucked as much back under the cap as we could. We got almost all the original amount back under there. We then reinstalled the metal transition strip with brand new 1 1/4 inch butyl tape installed on the bottom of it. Once we got this screwed down I used the plastic putty knife to cut the excess tape close to the metal strip and just lifted it off. We cleaned the whole area again with alcohol and then applied a thick layer of self leveling sealant to the front and back edges of the strip and to each screw head. The side strips were very east to reattach and we did some silicone caulk on the side strips and that finished it. link

[WeBeFulltime]

Excellent repair in spite of the "staff member"! Kidding, of course.

[1retired06]

Excellent and to the point definition of the cause and repair!

[DQDick]

Thank you for sharing. If others of us need a professional repair of this type can we call you? It's always good when you know you can trust the repair technician and you've seen their work.

[Exnavydiver]

I don't do roofs in the "ground zero" area during the spring and summer. F-5s tend to blow my work away...

[MIMF]

No kidding, Dave! Nice job! X2 on what Dick said. From the pictures, the main thing is, it looked like the roof decking was in real good shape and not even stained.

[mobil]

Nice job. Glad you found it before any wood rot. I just put Eternabond seam tape over the transition from roof to front and back cap. It's a little extra piece of mind for a vulnerable area for relatively little money and time. We didn't have a leak. Just trying to avoid future trouble.

[kab449]

What was the amount of time required to do the complete job, taking out the time spent on refreshment breaks?

[Exnavydiver]

4 hrs flat but wear a hat with a big brim, my neck caught a pretty shade of pink.. oh yeah, wear sunglasses too

[Mudchief]

Glad you were able to get it fixed.