What type of roof do I have?

[Jayro88]

Okay, so I want to go through and reseal a few areas on my roof. In my reading it looks like there are a couple of different roofing materials and they they require a different type of sealant. How do I know what kind of roof I have. I climbed up and looked at it. It appears to be a rigid plastic/fiberglass sheet. What would that be considered?

[TejasBob]

I can't really help you on the type of roof, but I will add my recent experience. I thought mine was a solid plastic type roof also. But then on one of the edges, I noticed that it is a rubber type material laid over some very thin plywood. There was a small section on the edge of the roof where the two were not bonded together that let me realize that it was a covering and a base as opposed to one solid, thicker piece of plastic.

[wahoonc]

Take some 409 and clean a spot on the roof near the where the edge ties in and take a picture. TPO is quite often textured. Also if you pull an interior vent trim you should be able to see what the roof construction is, typically (but not always) when it is a membrane roof they leave a bit hanging down, a solid roof like FRP you would be able to see the edge of the top layer(s) right up against the vent.

Aaron

[wildwest450]

A neglected one?

[Jayro88]

Originally Posted by wildwest450

A neglected one?

Yeah, well it is 24 yrs old.


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[Denali]

Check this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL5qJw397Rc

[Jayro88]

What is the recommenced cleaning method and product to use? Do people people pressure wash them, or do they do the scrub and rinse method?

Thanks

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by Jayro88

What is the recommenced cleaning method and product to use? Do people people pressure wash them, or do they do the scrub and rinse method?

Thanks

I would NOT pressure wash it. Automotive soap and water should be fine and a soft brush. you may also want to use the ones with the wax in it.. in my opinion! Walmart sells a great brush with a hose connection, very soft.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Detailer-...andle/15111242

Although, this guy uses a pressure washer. You can see it lifting up some of the seals and moving them around. He says he has a rubber roof!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9huc1vtEtEc

[wildwest450]

Now I know "Tito" has no credibility on how to care for an RV. It would be a fools errand to force pressurized water into a soft rubber roof and especially around any caulking. You could slice that rubber and never know it... until the next rain.

I use simple green and a soft/medium bristle brush.

[wahoonc]

Scrub and rinse, use a relatively mild detergent. I do use a pressure washer on it's lowest setting on some stubborn ones. I use dilute Simple Green on the really ugly stuff. Otherwise car wash or dish detergent. Lots of water to keep the streaking down on the sides of the trailer.

I am betting you have fully adhered TPO which would feel like a hard plastic or fiberglass roof.

Aaron

[Denali]

When I bought mine I called the company that makes the roof material. They said once a year just wash it with soap, water and a brush just like you would the rest of the RV. They also said to avoid the roof treatment offered by many RV dealers as it is a waste of money.

[Thom]

Definitely avoid any lemon scented dishwashing detergent, it will attract bees. Dont ask me how I know.

[wildwest450]

Originally Posted by Thom

Definitely avoid any lemon scented dishwashing detergent, it will attract bees. Dont ask me how I know.

Haha, that's awesome, who doesn't like a little honey with their morning biscuit?

[captainmorgan]

Would anyone happen to know what type of roof came on a 2016 291RESL? It looks like a tan color and feels textured.

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by captainmorgan

Would anyone happen to know what type of roof came on a 2016 291RESL? It looks like a tan color and feels textured.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL5qJw397Rc

[wahoonc]

Tan and textured is likely a TPO.

I have an issue with that video... TPO is not always a single color, on RV's yes it most likely is, however they do make reinforced TPO's that are laminated, with the back sheet a different color from the top sheet. They don't show up on RV's very often, but there have been a few that have used it.

Aaron

[Redfour5]

Thanks for the Walmart brush link. Nice tool.