Eternabond® RV leak repair tape

EPDM is one of the most versatile and long lasting materialsever manufactured for outdoor exposure. Most RV Industryexperts consider EPDM rubber roofing membrane the mostdependable, most cost effective and easiest to maintainroofing material there is. Yet today’s average RVer is delugedwith information, a great deal of it misinformation.Consequently, RVers are spending millions on unneededproducts, many of which can be harmful to EPDM rubberroofing.This Public Service Announcement details the truth aboutEPDM and reprints manufacturer’s guidelines on cleaning andmaintaining the EPDM rubber roofing membrane on your RV.If you have questions after reviewing the material, pleasecontact Dicor Corporation, the RV Industry’s largest supplier ofEPDM rubber roofing. Dicor’s address and phone numbersare provided.​

EPDM stands for Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer. Engineering specifications describe EPDM as “Ideal for outdoorapplications because of its excellent resistance to ultra-violet light, ozone, oxidants and severe weather conditions.”EPDM rubber membrane is made to last 20 years or longer and has a 10 to 12 year guarantee depending on the brand. Theguarantee does not require the use of any protective “roof treatment” or “roof protector” product and recommends only cleaning.Unlike natural rubber (latex) or blends (tire & wiper blades), EPDM does not require periodic applications of any product toprotect it from ultra-violet light or ozone.The statement or implication that you should purchase and apply a product to “protect” your rubber roof from the elements ismisinformation. Buying and using such a product can be a mistake and may even damage the EPDM membrane.Petroleum distillates are incompatible with and should never be used on a number of plastics including vinyl and rubbers,particularly EPDM. Engineering specifications rate EPDM’s solvent and oil resistance as “POOR”. Dicor’s Care andMaintenance instructions warn:​

Laboratory tests conducted in July of 1996 evaluated the effect of a leading RV “roof treatment” product on EPDM roofingmembrane using standard sunlamp and immersion testing procedures. The “roofing treatment”, which contained petroleumdistillates, caused a 63% mass change (swelling). In the summary/recommendations portion of the lab test the scientists statedthey would not recommend the “roof treatment” and more tellingly noted, “Per the MSDS, this product contains petroleumdistillates, a substance that is known to be INCOMPATIBLE with...EPDM sheeting.”For your rubber roof, for the EPDM seals around slide-outs/pop-ups, in the baggage compartments or for the EPDM door ortrunk seals in your car, petroleum distillates are a huge “​

No.​

Periodic cleaning (see Dicor Care & Maintenanceinstructions)​

No. Usually percentages given are based on weight.Since petroleum distillates are significantly lighter thanwater, in reality 30% by weight might be 40% or more byvolume. But the percentage of petroleum distillatesdoesn’t matter. THERE IS NO LEVEL OF PETROLEUMDISTILLATES THAT IS RECOMMENDED.​

Yes.​

Two things: First, swelling. Uneven thickness of material.Second, loose areas. Petroleum distillates soak in andcause the adhesive to loosen and the membrane toballoon. Then, when the ballooning goes down, it maynever again adhere properly or completely.​

Any tear in an EPDM roof membrane can be repaired usinga number of repair methods. Dicor has a prepackaged peeland stick repair kit that works well on small tears (up to 8”),a larger kit that should be used on larger damaged areas,and also rolls of peel and stick material for long, narrowtears.​

First, EPDM roofing membrane does oxidize slowly; it’ssupposed to. In a dozen years it may oxidize 10% of itsthickness. This is normal. Cleaning at least four times ayear will help greatly, more often if your local conditions andexperience warrant.​

Clean the area and treat it with a product that will repelsoiling and is safe for EPDM. One product that performsand lasts well, is safe for EPDM and is commonly availableat RV stores is Dicor’s RP-RG320S product.​

Brite-Ply RoofCare and Maintenance​

VG 11.20.03​

P.O. Box 1806, Elkhart, IN 46515​