Roof leak question?

[PicketFence]

Was cleaning the roof today and found two spots that have leaked (new to us camper should have looked better when I purchased). The holes are tiny, but swelled the plywood underneath ( plywood is swollen maybe 10" diameter). I figure i have two options

#1- patch the little holes, and check on it every so often (easy way out)

#2- cut rubber roofing replace plywood sections and reseal giant hole (I'm pretty handy, but this is pushing my confidence)

Would like to see what you guys think, and see if there are any other options. Thanks in advance

2017 3791RD

[DutchmenSport]

My vote? If you are not in a heavy snow location, leave it as is and just putty up the pin holes. Keep an eye on it for changes. If it changes, get's bigger, or swells more, THEN do the surgery on the roof.

Now, if you are in a snow location, and you can expect a couple feet of snow on the roof, then you might want to consider the surgery. Although the roof is still OK, as far as a roof goes, the thin plywood is compromised, and heavy weight, like stepping directly on it, or a couple feet of snow, could cause the plywood to crumble and decay more.

If it were me, I'd leave it as is, putty it up, and watch it for changes.

FYI, get photos of it now, several, from several angles. Also, place a tape measure over the affected area so you have a clear memory of what it looks like right now. In a few weeks, take another set of photos with the tape measure. Do this, and keep the photos in sequence and compare photos over time. This is probably the best way to monitor it. You cannot depend on your memory. Your eyes and memory will trick you. Get photos and compare that way.

Sometimes, the affects of surgery end up being worse than the original problem.

Good luck.

[PicketFence]

Dutchman that sounds great to me!! Can't imagine that it would hurt to outline the area with a permanent marker or something similar? That way it is easy to keep track of. When we bought the 5er it was 10 degrees out and about 6" of snow (I should have known better) the gentleman we purchased it from said that it had been to the dealer under warranty to be resealed (regular maintenance) summer of 2019. It was still worth the gamble

[DQDick]

I would use eternabond tape to cover the holes after I did my best to dry it out and then check it from time to time.

[Mikendebbie]

PicketFence - for what it's worth - there is an "attic" space in the roof. There are several videos on youtube that are factory tours of the Keystone or Montana factory. The pic below is a screen shot of a 2019 model, but 2017 would be similar I think. There are two "mushroom" attic vents on the roof. I don't know how much air circulates up there, but I suppose if you stop the leaks, eventually the roof deck will dry out. I would lean toward DQDICK's recommendation of using a piece of eternabond ( maybe 6" long) to cover the holes, then dicor caulk around the perimeter of the eternabond to keep the esdges down. The key to getting eternabond to stick is the cleaning and prep so do some research and make sure you clean the area before you stick it.

[Mikendebbie]

...forgot to attach the pic...

[beeje]

I agree with the eturabond fix, however if it was my unit, I would cut an x across the damaged spots to inspect, fold back the EPDM and get it dry with fans or any way you can. When dry (if the wood is not damaged) fold it back down and tape it up with Eturnabond tape.

[PicketFence]

All good information. I will definitely use the tape. I attached some pictures just for the good of the order. You can clearly see there is 4 small holes in the first picture, and one very small hole in the second spot (last two pictures. While we are on the conversation are you guys all putting the tape on the front and rear cap seams? Looks like it wouldn't hurt.

[beeje]

Everything on my roof is eturabond taped. Front and rear caps along with every vent. I also did all the slide outs along the bottom trim top trim vertical trim and all the way across the top

[PicketFence]

Originally Posted by beeje

Everything on my roof is eturabond taped. Front and rear caps along with every vent. I also did all the slide outs along the bottom trim top trim vertical trim and all the way across the top

This will be done this week seems like cheap insurance, and than I can check the roof off my list.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by PicketFence

This will be done this week seems like cheap insurance, and than I can check the roof off my list.

Just make sure you clean everything up very good. I used lacquer thinner but you could also use acetone or something like that

[PicketFence]

Beeje, turns out i have to order some eternabond tape. Was wondering if you did the sides of your roof. See people doing it over on a different forum, but not sure if it is worth doing. Looks like they are running 4" from the gutter bracket up. I don't mind spending the time and $$ if it is that beneficial.

My worries are that it will look terrible, and I don't want to throw $$ down the drain.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by PicketFence

Beeje, turns out i have to order some eternabond tape. Was wondering if you did the sides of your roof. See people doing it over on a different forum, but not sure if it is worth doing. Looks like they are running 4" from the gutter bracket up. I don't mind spending the time and $$ if it is that beneficial.

My worries are that it will look terrible, and I don't want to throw $$ down the drain.

For my current trailer I did not do over the sides like you mentioned but I did do that on the previous Raptor toy hauler I had. It worked out pretty good but was a little wrinkled looking. I do think it's a good idea to do that since there's probably 70 feet of a joint that could possibly leak. I installed it from the bottom of that trim molding right above the gutter up onto the roof

[PicketFence]

Thanks for the reply, I'm guessing I just as well get it done. That area always made me nervous on the old trailer (although it never leaked). Going to have the Montana for many years to come.

[PicketFence]

Originally Posted by beeje

I agree with the eturabond fix, however if it was my unit, I would cut an x across the damaged spots to inspect, fold back the EPDM and get it dry with fans or any way you can. When dry (if the wood is not damaged) fold it back down and tape it up with Eturnabond tape.

Well the eturnabond tape came in the mail today. The curiosity of these spots was killing me so I decided to open them up, and good thing I did! The back of the EPDM was wet, and the wood still had moisture in it. I will attach a couple pictures(I don't think the white stuff is mold, I think it is the glue reacting with the moisture). I'm going to leave these open for a couple days in the AZ sun before I patch them up. I think the wood should be fine. Thank you guys again for all the information! Extremely helpful! What type of adhesive would you guys use to stick the EPDM back down?

[beeje]

They sell an adhesive specifically for that purpose

[PicketFence]

Do you guys think that this could be a TPO roof? Seen some info on the web that said if it was EPDM that it would be black on the underside?

[beeje]

Originally Posted by PicketFence

Do you guys think that this could be a TPO roof? Seen some info on the web that said if it was EPDM that it would be black on the underside?

That's a very good question. And I think the answer is not all EPDM roofs are black on the back side. But regardless of what it is the Eternal Bond tape is going to stick to it and seal it

[PicketFence]

Thanks for the quick reply Beeje.

[kowbra]

Originally Posted by PicketFence

Do you guys think that this could be a TPO roof? Seen some info on the web that said if it was EPDM that it would be black on the underside?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5KraEQifpo

Brad