Oregon Rain Has Breached My Darlings Roof!

[Lisa333]

Just trucked my darling SCAMP, by sweet husband and my mischievousness cats to Oregon and discovered in all this lovely spring CONTINUOUS rain that I have a small leak around my escape hatch. No damage to the interior- found it real quick. Pulled her into the garage to dry and be safe while I ask you all what to do, and the best sealant.

QUESTION 1- HOW TO SEAL?
My husband wants to slap some new sealant over the top of the old, fixing what looks like some hairline cracks and one large one that is likely the leak. BUT i wonder if it would not be best to remove all the old putty like off-white silicone putty-looking stuff and start clean.

(PS- RV store says slap on silicone over the top- or bring it in and they will do it).

QUESTION 2: WHAT TO SEAL WITH?
What is the best sealant to use? Is this where I use butyl sealant?

Thanks all!

[Reid Larsen]

I would recommend cleaning off the old sealant, removing the hatch and re installing it with butyl tape and then sealing all edges and rivets or fasteners with Dicor lap sealant. And not to burst your bubble but this has been a very dry spring in Oregon. Don't let the RV store near your Scamp with a tube or caulk gun of silicon.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Lisa333

QUESTION 1- HOW TO SEAL?
best to remove all the old putty like off-white silicone putty-looking stuff and start clean.

QUESTION 2: WHAT TO SEAL WITH?
Is this where I use butyl sealant?

Yes, you have been listening correctly!

+1 on what Reid said.

[Donna D.]

Silicone????????

Don't ever blob caulk over a leak, unless it's strictly for an emergency repair. You can turn a temporary fix into a fairly permanent headache

You've gotten good advice Lisa.

[Larry C Hanson]

Hi Lisa,

Reid gave you the straight info for an effective
resealing. I might add... When using the Dicor
Lapseal on the fasteners it does not hurt to use
it on the frame edge/fiberglass roof joint over
the little bit of buytl tape that shows in the joint.
In that wet country a little overkill never hurts.

Good Luck, Larry H

[Lisa333]

very good. i thought i had it right.
Appreciate the advice- roof is too important to mess up, especially since i have just finished my re-upholster. Will start carefully removing the old this weekend.
thanks again!