EPDM Roof - Is it mold or do I need a recoat?

[FJR4me]

I purchased a 2007 T-276SR back in March and have been working on maintenance, repairs and fixing up the interior.
I'll have to share some pictures.
Now I'm onto the roof and wondering if my Newbie status to RV'ing has got me into a bit more work than anticipated.

The roof is in dire need of a cleaning, but I'm wondering now, if what I thought was mold is actually the white top coat deteriorated and needs a re-coat.
The sealant looks good all over and the previous owner used Eternabond tape on all the seams and all but one of the vents.

There appears to have been an issue behind the shower bubble as they use Enternabond tape in the entire corner of the camper. I removed the steam bubble and could see no water intrusion. The tape is loose from the rubber membrane in the center of the patch, but there appears to be no leaks.

Hopefully the pictures come through.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

[JohnB]

Welcome!

The black spots on your roof resemble mold. They do not appear to have the worn thin to the black layer look which needs a re-coating.

This is what a warn white layer looks like that does need a recoating. You see a lot of black in a patchwork of missing white, not spots that looks like splats.





If you want to be sure it is mold, you can do a mold kill and if the spots go down in size or away, then the white layer is still good.

This post talks about the bleaching mold kill process if you want to do this
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f...tml#post138180

This post has some more on the mold kill with the Dirco instructions.
https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f...tml#post139707

And this post shows what a roof like like before and after the bleach mold kill process. https://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f...tml#post139659

Heads up, your Sunline does not have a direct walk on roof. Wash the roof from the sides and a long pole car wash brush.

To work on the roof, you need to put down a tarp, carpet, something to protect the rubber. Then used managels sized plywood sheets 3/8" or thicker to span the rafters. I use 2' x 4' or 2.5' x 4' pieces of 7/16" plywood. That spreads your weight out. You can damage the roof walking between the rafters as there is no plywood under the main roof.

Hope this helps and ask away any other questions. This is the right place to ask them.

John

PS When cleaning the roof, do not scrub real hard on the roof, that can wear away the white layer. A gentle brushing and let the detergent or bleach do the work. Rinse the sides real well of roof cleaning run off before it drys on.

[FJR4me]

Thanks so much for the reply John.

I’ll give the roof a good cleaning and look into the mold kill process and give it a good coating of 303 protectant.

I’ll report back after the work is done with results.

Have a good day.

[FJR4me]

John,
I just looked over the post on the mold removal before and after pictures, amazing difference!
Question, how stiff should the bristles be on the brush used on an EDPM roof?
I would think soft to mildly stiff.

What is your preferred method for applying the 303 to the roof?

Thanks!

[JohnB]

On the car brush, yes, mildy soft. For sure not stiff. Think a medium soft toothbrush bristle.

Here is my roof wash setup. A good solid ladder and reach from the side with the car wash pole.




On appling the 303, I use a car wax/wash mop which is a mop head on a telescoping pole reaching from the side. I put the 303 in a squirt bottle, set it on a stream spray, spray it over an area up to 1/2 the width of the camper, then use the mop to spread it even. Move ladder and do again until the whole roof is done. Also do all roof plastic, the caulking and the Eternabond. It helps them too.


I bought my first wax applicator years ago, I think at maybe Walmart. But I bought a new one last year at Harbor Freight. This one https://www.harborfreight.com/telesc...mop-60587.html

[FJR4me]

Awesome information!

That helps a bunch, thanks John.

[Kaezio]

I cleaned my rubber roof with a mixture of clorox and liquid soap.
All the caulking needed to be recaulked.
My rv trailer guy recommended self leveling caulk.
For the edges, he recommended Dicor roof sealant instead of the self leveling caulk.
Ken