Cleaning the Hybrid Roof

[Bob Loblaw]

So we just cleaned the rubber roof on our hybrid this week (a new experience for us.) Wow - what a difference! We just grabbed a cleaner/conditioner at Walmart to get the job done this time, but wondered what cleaner others use? This is our first season with this camper and the roof was very dirty. We wondered if the PO did much with it because it sure made a huge difference in the look and feel of the roof. Wish I had taken before/after pics.

Also, those of you that maintain rubber roofs, do you clean it twice a year? More? We are interested now that it's cleaned to see if it does get dirty quickly or if it just wasn't cleaned/conditioned much before we owned it.

We also checked all of the sealant while we were up there, are there any secrets to checking for pinholes, etc. in the roofing?

 

[papachaz]

did you get an owners manual with the HTT? read through it about any warnings for your particular roof. some of them recommend staying away from petroleum based cleaners. i've had my TT since Jan and SIL and I have washed the roof twice. PO had it parked in the woods behind his house and it was very nasty. i haven't checked it in a couple of months, other than looking down on it from above at the last camping trip where the site was lower than the road and the site behind us.

make sure you check around the antenna, a/c and vents or pipes that come around. those or any pinholes can be resealed with a self leveling caulk made by dicor, any bigger rips or tears can be fixed with eternabond. you can get a small roll of it, or even patches pre cut to size. i had a couple of tears in mine i had to fix, it wasn't difficult, just took some time, mostly precleaning the area to be patched.

heres the whole section about the rubber roof on my TT, hope it helps!

"Roof
The roofing system is a EPDM rubber membrane that will not rust or corrode and is quieter than metal
roof systems. The rubber roof material itself does not require annual coatings or additional sealants.
Wrinkles may develop in the material due to expansion and contraction from heating and cooling but
this does not affect the integrity of the roof and is not a cause for concern.
The roof material can, however, be cut by sharp objects. Care is needed when driving or parking to
avoid punctures. If damage does occur, the roof may be patched with a special kit available through
your dealer. If accessories or new equipment are added, be sure the installer is qualified to work on the
rubber roof material.
Maintenance
Inspect the roof at least every 90 days, paying particular attention to the seams where the areas of
sheet metal, moldings, rubber and/or fiberglass are joined. Carefully inspect the sealant around any
vents, skylights, air conditioners, etc.
Exposure to the elements will cause sealants to deteriorate over time. Variations in climate and
weather may accelerate deterioration. Inspection and periodic resealing is essential as preventative
maintenance. If cracks or shrinkage are noticed, immediately follow the rubber roof manufacturer’s
recommendations for repair or resealing. Special sealants are used due to the composition of the roofing
material. For the appropriate sealant, please see your dealer.
Cleaning
Prior to cleaning the roof, rinse off the roof to remove any debris. Be sure to keep the sidewalls wet to
reduce streaking. Standard household detergents can be used for normal cleaning. Do not use petroleum
! WARNING
The rubber roofing material , when wet, may be slippery . Always use caution when working on top of the RV.
Do not use acetone or any products containing petroleum distillates on the rubber roof.

Care and
Maintenance
Generally, only models factory equipped with an exterior ladder have a roof capable of walking on. Otherwise walking or storing materials on the roof is not recommended.
Note 55 - solvents, harsh abrasives or citric-based cleaners that can damage the membrane. Appropriate cleaners such as Dicor Roof Cleaner™ are available through your dealer. Remember to rinse thoroughly after
cleaning. For more stubborn stains (i.e. oak leaves, pine sap) the use of a kitchen cleanser with bleach can help
remove the stain. Remember to rinse the roof completely to remove any soap residue and also rinse
the sidewalls completely to remove any streaking. After cleaning the roof check the membrane for
possible damage and check the caulk/lap sealant at exhaust stacks, vents, and fasteners.
Substantial accumulation of snow should be removed from any roof especially on a trailer not occupied during the winter."

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Papachaz, thanks so much for taking the time to share the info... we do have the manual, but it is not nearly as in-depth as yours about cleaning and maintaining the roof. Very helpful!

 

[papachaz]

no problem bob! i downloaded my manual from skyline (the manufacturer of my TT) and it's no problem to just copy and paste. hope it helped!

i actually had to fix a few small places in my roof with the eternabond, it's super easy to use, you just really have to get it clean first. but if it's just pinholes, get a tube of the dicor self leveling sealant and you could get it taken care of most likely

 

[Tnerb]

I used Eternabond on my old TT EPDM roof.

Like Papachaz says, it's easy to used and seals great.

One caution is to make sure you put it down wrinkle frre coz it's really hard to remove it once it's applied.