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Permanent Waterproofing & Leak Repair Products
Service Bulletin
Subject: Eternabond OEM installations on RV roofs.
The Problem: EternaBond RoofSeal coming loose or leaking during shipment.
At the recent RVIA show in Louisville, several identical comments concerning EternaBond RoofSeal were received from RV dealership mechanics. They all stated that occasionally the factory installed EternaBond RoofSeal tape had to be removed and reinstalled because either the tape has blown off in the wind during delivery or there are gaps in the adhesion which allow water to get under the edge of the tape and into the roof. The EternaBond however, can be difficult to remove and repair because the majority of it is fused to the roof. How can both situations occur at the same time, the mechanics asked?
If the EternaBond MicroSealant tape is applied to a clean and dry surface, it will fuse to nearly anything, except silicone, making a leak virtually impossible. However, the powdery “mica-dust” used on new EPDM rubber roofing only, is a type of silicone that will encapsulate (coat) any sticky surface – tapes, self-leveling sealants, or any other type of sealant, breaking the seal. Even EternaBond, as aggressive as its adhesion is, can be encapsulated at points along the seal by a large amount of mica-dust if the roof is not properly cleaned. Please note: This problem will occur with all other types of sealants as well on new EPDM rubber roofing.
Further, EternaBond tapes are pressure activated so they must be rubbed, rolled, or compressed in all areas. There must not be any gaps along the edge or the overlaps which will allow water to seep in. This is called a “Fish mouth”. Please refer to the attached diagram for repair suggestions.
SOME SOLUTIONS:
| 1. | Clean the surface. The mica dust powder should be removed. This may be done by the following methods in order of effectiveness. |
| a. | Lacquer Thinner- Apply to a rag and wipe the rubber surface. Lacquer Thinner is the best cleaner for this application. This is the preferred method of preparation because it not only removes the talc but also opens up the cell structure on the surface of the roofing and aids bonding. Lacquer Thinner evaporates immediately and completely leaving no residue. Because of this rapid evaporation, it affects only the surface of the rubberized roofing and then quickly dissipates, leaving no permanent change. Use a clean rag or a new heavy-duty paper towel each time. This is important! Train the installer not to use the same old rag over and over. The dust will coat the rag and reapply itself. Lacquer thinner is also the best solvent for cleaning old EternaBond from a surface and from tools, etc. |
| b. | Brake Parts Cleaner- Brake Parts Cleaner is not quite as effective as Lacquer Thinner but it is less expensive and comes in easy to use spray cans. Spray any inexpensive Brake Parts cleaner onto a rag and then wipe the rubber surface to which the Eternabond will be applied. |
| c. | Acetone- Acetone has approximately the same characteristics as Brake Parts cleaner and may be used instead if you prefer. |
| d. | Windex- If the above cleaners can not be used, then Windex Glass Cleaner may be used. Spray the Windex directly on the roofing material and scrub it off with a rag. The water and ammonia in this product will remove the talc, evaporate and leave no residue, but not as quickly as the above cleaners. The surface must be scrubbed, not just wiped. Allow slightly more time for Windex to dry before installing the Eternabond. |
| e. | Alcohol- Alcohol may be used in the same method as Windex but does not work quite as well as the ammonia in Windex as a solvent. |
| f. | Soap and Water- The talc may be removed with soap and water. The surface must be scrubbed and then wiped, allowed to completely dry, and then wiped again to remove any soap residue. This method is not recommended for new roofs. |
| Note: | Do not use Mineral Spirits or anything that would leave an oily residue on the roof surface |
| 2. | Ask your roofing supplier for what commercial roofers call a “Clean Sheet”. A clean sheet roof comes with no or substantially reduced amounts of mica-dust. |
| 3. | Use extra care anywhere the tape goes over a profile that could cause a tenting action. Tenting can occur when the tape goes over screw heads, vent flanges, etc. Roll the tape well in these areas. |
| 4. | The best solution is to switch to EternaBond DoubleStick between the flange of the skylight or vent and the roof; between the roof membrane and the front and rear roof caps; and between roof and trim strip, etc. This approach will save time, money, and will result in a 100% water tight problem-free roof and RV. We also recommend this approach in creating a water tight slide room. |
Call your D&W sales rep for help and advice at any time!
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