The seams in the roof of my trailer are starting to leak. What do you use to seal them with? One friend used calking and another one said you can buy some stuff that you paint on?
Posted 2007-01-24 7:27 PM (#54439 - in reply to #54436) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Location: N.E. PENNSYLVANIA
MY WIFE AND I USED A SUBSTANCE CALLED SNOW COAT. IT CAME IN 1 OR 5 GALLONS. WE GOT 5 GALLONS FOR $72.00 AND APPLIED IT TO OUR MOTOR HOMES RUBBER ROOF AS PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE. IT WORKED PERFECTLY BUT THERE IS A CATCH!!! IT IS ALL IN THE PREPARATION!!! IF THE SURFACE IS SCRUBED WELL WITH AN INDUSTRIAL CLEANER AND THE TEMPERATURE IS WARM YOU CAN ROLL ON COATS ONE RIGHT AFTER ANOTHER. WE WENT UP AND DID A TOTAL OF 12 COATS OVER A 2 DAY PERIOD. 1 HOUR WAS ALL THAT WAS NEEDED IN THE SUMMER SUNLIGHT TO DRY IT PERFECTLY. WE DROVE FROM PA TO VA BEACH AND BACK AND HAVE NOT HAD 1 PROBLEM YET. THAT WAS THREE YEARS AGO. IT WILL APPLY TO WOOD, PLASTIC, RUBBER, METAL, CONCRETE, ALUMINUM...ETC ETC. IT IS VERY ELASTIC WHICH WAS VER IMPORTANT TO US CONSIDERING WE WERE USING IT ON A FLEXING, MOVING VEHICLE. WE ARE THINKING OF PUTTING IT ON A HORSE TRAILER ROOF TO PROTECT AND KEEP THE TEMP. DOWN. IT COMES IN WHITE AND I AM NOT SURE IF COLOR CAN BE ADDED TO BLEND. HOPE IT HELPS!!! HAVE FUN. BRANDON
Posted 2007-01-24 10:03 PM (#54459 - in reply to #54436) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Midwest
Valerie - There is a product called "Peel & Seal" available at Lowe's (go to the website and search the product name for more info) that works like a dream for aluminum roof leaks. As a former Service Manager at a horse trailer dealership, I have used this stuff many times w/ a great success rate. It is also extremely quick and easy to install. I always covered every seam on the roof w/ it, heat it w/ a heat gun and that's it. It is a self adhesive, paper backed, aluminum faced, rubber membrane or "tape" commonly used in the building industry for roof repairs or flashing. Lowe's has it in 6" widths I believe 25' long. Hope this helps ya!
Posted 2007-01-25 9:00 AM (#54469 - in reply to #54464) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Veteran
Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
I used the lowes peel@seal product on my sooner aluminum roof seams...worked great. has been on for about 4 years. Use a scotchbright pad to clean the aluminum good and then wipe down with a clean cotton cloth and alcohol before applying and put it on when the roof is warm. It sticks really good so you only get one chance to get in on straight.
Posted 2007-01-26 11:39 AM (#54536 - in reply to #54436) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Spring Grove, MN
We use two produsts at our shop that work really well for sealing roof leaks, The first produst is called Perma-Coat it comes in a couple different varieties one for seams and a thinner application for applying to the whole roof, the second product we use is called Manus Bond, manufactured by Matrix adhesives, we've had good success with both products at our shop.
Posted 2007-01-26 9:10 PM (#54557 - in reply to #54436) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Location: N.E. PENNSYLVANIA
HI VALERIE, THE LINK THAT efaubert1 ATTACHED TO THE MESSAGE IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE STUFF WE USED. IT WORKS GREAT AND APPLIES REALLY SIMPLE. IT IS LIQUID RUBBER AND IT APPLIES TO ALMOST ANY SURFACE. THAT ALONG WITH THE SEAM "TAPE" MAY DO ALL THAT YOU NEED AND THEN SOME. THE TAPE SOUNDS REALLY SMART AND SIMPLE. GOOD LUCK, BRANDON
Posted 2007-07-30 12:58 PM (#64663 - in reply to #64661) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by lawless12 on 2007-07-30 11:10 AM
Do you need to remove a of the old caulking on the roof before sealing it with anything else? If so does anyone know the easiest way to get it off?
If the old caulking is leaking... The best action is to remove the old stuff. It's very much like painting. If the old material is a problem, covering with new material still leaves you with the old problem.
To remove the old caulk and any rust...I've had very good results with a stiff wire brush in an electric Grinder / Drill. Let the electric motor do the work...
Posted 2007-07-30 3:49 PM (#64678 - in reply to #54436) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Member
Posts: 29 Location: Elizabethtown, Kentucky
I was thinking of coating my roof of my steel trailer with a bed liner type of material.. My roof does not leak but just for prevenative measures. I also thought that it would reflect the sun to a certain extent if painted white... What are your all's thoughts on this???? Any pro's or cons anyone can think of for this type of application with a bed-liner material????
Posted 2007-07-30 4:27 PM (#64683 - in reply to #64665) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by lawless12 on 2007-07-30 12:39 PM
Okay, thanks
is is pretty quick with the wire brush? We have had lots of rain every afternoon so I will have to work in small sections.
I used a putty knife to remove most of the caulk. The old caulk was a polyureathane... Tough & tenacious. The wire brush was a cup style in an angle grinder. It was serious brush power. Had to wear leather gloves to protect my hands from accidental contact with the brush. Your results will depend on the brush and how much power is driving it.
Posted 2007-07-31 4:01 PM (#64771 - in reply to #64740) Subject: RE: sealing roof leaks
Expert
Posts: 2958 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by lawless12 on 2007-07-31 8:28 AM
What did you use to reseal the trailer?
I replied to a similar question a while back...
Originally written by Sheryl on 2005-04-01 2:38 AM
I'm wondering why you would caulk the interior instead of the exterior. I am about to order some "Proflex" RV roof sealant for my trailer that has been caulked to within and inch of it's life but is STILL leaking. My interior is already finished so I have to go outside. Has anyone used this product?
Sheryl ... I've felt your pain ... If it's still leaking, you haven't caulked the right place. Try to remember that point as your caulking. Sundowner uses this caulking on the exterior of their trailers. It's very durable.
The caulk used is a moisture cured polyurethane. Manufactured by Sika Corp.
30800 Stephenson highway
Madison Heights, MI 48071, 248-577-0020
The name is Sikaflex - 221 SF, Product code is 220-242
The color you want is "AL Gray"
You might try marine / boat supply as a place to purchase it too.